Leeds Festival's decision to book six headline acts for The Grid stage left Daniel Bird confused at first, but he says it worked, with Dave leaving the most lasting impression. The rapper's performance felt like spoken poetry rather than rap, and Bird admitted he is now a huge fan.
Six Headliners and a Diverse Line-Up
Bird, attending since 2022, noted this year's festival catered for everyone, from Charli XCX's Brat energy to Fontaines D.C.'s rock. Other stages offered Cruz Beckham at The Canopy, and Kneecap or Adéla at The Gallery. Despite the weather turning towards the end, it added to the experience.
Florence and the Machine headlined Friday, leaving Bird feeling relaxed despite the energetic songs. Kneecap attracted one of the biggest crowds. Saturday's headliners, Charli XCX and Fontaines D.C., made choosing a stage difficult. Bird admitted he is not Charli's biggest fan but credited her star power and ability to entertain.
Fontaines D.C. and Sunday's Standouts
Fontaines D.C., closing Saturday, were in Bird's opinion the perfect choice. The Irish group, which just confirmed their new album Dopamine Chamber, performed new tracks including 'Happy For You', 'Marianne', and 'Six Shot Morning'. Bird stood with a group of about seven as rain started, calling it perfect timing.
Sunday's line-up featured Jade, Sombr, Cruz Beckham, and Dave. Bird, not a big rap fan, described Dave's set as a spiritual journey, with the crowd captivated. The track 'The Boy Who Played the Harp' was particularly moving, reflecting on guilt around luxury and global suffering, and Bird added it to his Apple Music.
Raye's Emotional Plea and Festival Verdict
Raye also impressed Bird with her vocals and vulnerability. She told the crowd: "Life is short and life isn’t always easy, sometimes get really hard sometimes you can get really low, anxious depressed, I do really believe music is medicine, I believe that music is a universal language. You can put on a song with intense bass and dance the pain away. Music is medicine."
She also addressed the men in the crowd, saying: "Sometimes it does get hard. I want to address you, boys. Some of you boys are really cool, too cool to talk about your feelings. You talking about feelings might encourage your friends to talk about their feelings. Don’t bottle it up, ok." Bird appreciated this message, noting the stigma around male mental health and the festival's young audience.
Overall, Bird called it one of the best years for Leeds Festival. The guest area offered exclusive food outlets, including a steak and lobster stand with rib-eye steak and fries for £13, and Mimi’s Horsebox with teas and cakes. An exclusive bar served soft drinks to Casa Amigos tequila, with cocktails and mocktails in a pineapple for £14.
His only complaint was with Uber, waiting two to three hours for rides each night. After booking at 12:30 am, he got home after 3:30 am, though his driver was an "absolute legend" who accepted when the first driver cancelled. He ended with a plea for more sun next year.
