She's back: Corinne Bailey Rae to headline Live at Leeds 2016

Live at Leeds headliner Corinne Bailey Rae.Live at Leeds headliner Corinne Bailey Rae.
Live at Leeds headliner Corinne Bailey Rae.
Who would have thought it? Ten years of Live at Leeds? Ten years of the single most exciting day of indie music in Yorkshire.

This annual feast of indie, acoustic, soul and more may not take place in North Yorkshire but many music fans make a pilgrimage across the border to West Yorkshire to enjoy 80 acts playing a dozen or more different venues across Leeds.

And there are local links beyond that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds music promotion legend, Colin Oliver, whose company Futuresound organises LaL each year, lives in Harrogate.

The man who's closely associated with Leeds' much-missed venue The Cockpit. is super excited about this year's event which will take place on the first May bank holiday weekend.

Colin said: "We've seen some great names gracing our stages over the last 10 years and I'm really looking forward to this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Hopefully it will be our biggest event yet. It really feels like we are stepping up another level."

His confidence looks to be well placed.

This year's bill not only includes the expected indie and alt-rock names such as We Are Scientists, Mystery Jets, Slow Club, Los Campensinos, Circa Waves and Future of the Left but a smattering of variety from the likes of intelligent rapper Ghostpoet, the Madonna-esque Shura and one of the UK's hottest new talents Jess Glynne.

Best of all, the tenth Live at Leeds will feature the return of one of the city's favourite daughters - the Grammy Award-winning international sensation that is Corinne Bailey Rae.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The delicately talented singer has been quiet of late since her last album The Sea in 2010 and the tragic death of her husband Jason.

But this year will see Leeds-born Corrine release a new album of songs called The Heart Speaks in Whispers.

The talented Corinne first rose to fame with her eponymous debut album in February 2006 which came straight in the UK charts at number one.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Personally speaking I remember her before then, when I did a live review of her first band for the little music magazine I published in Leeds, York and Harrogate in the mid to late 1990s called Charm.

That band, Helen were a belting little indie alt-rock group and they very nearly made it big.

I wish I could say I spotted Corinne even then as being obviously a little cut above the rest.

But I didn't.

All-day tickets for Live at Leeds on Saturday, April 30 are available at Luna Tickets and local outlets in Leeds.