English Teacher's guide to Leeds

11 October 2023, 19:00

Set to play Live at Leeds this coming weekend – a festival that showcases rising talent across various venues within the city – English Teacher talk Best Fit through their favourite spots in Yorkshire’s capital.

With a music scene that breeds talent and an impressive list of venues, Leeds has cemented itself as a capital for culture. Responsible for the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, alt-J and Yard Act, the city continues to lean into its musical roots by investing in initiatives that support new musicians and exploring new ways to showcase talent.

English Teacher have cemented themselves as a vital name in the Leeds music scene. Reeling from the success of September released single “World's Biggest Paving Slab”, the indie frontrunners are about to embark on a UK headline tour following a summer of festivals.

Forming in Leeds through studies at the Leeds Conservatoire University, the city has been the setting for English Teacher’s songwriting. Playing pivotal venues within the Leeds music scene, the four-piece have developed their sound in the city and have been hailed as an exciting new Yorkshire music discovery.

Acclaimed debut EP Polyawkward saw the band accrue attention from indie titans, claiming support slots for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and fellow Leeds outfit Yard Act. The band also opened the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury this past summer.

With a continuously unfolding story and ears pricking to their success, English Teacher are proof of the vital place Leeds holds as a temple for new music. Alongside bars, venues, clubs and record stores that celebrate this scene, the city is home to a renowned music college, Leeds Conservatoire University, a place that brings like-minded individuals together and where many bands have formed over the years.

With Live at Leeds taking place this weekend and showcasing rising talent across both the region and UK, English Teacher reveal their favourite spots in the city.

Brudenell Social Club

“Brude is the place where everyone wants to play,” vocalist Lily Fontaine says. “When you get your first gig there, you feel like you’ve made it with everyone in the Leeds music scene.”

“It is the heart of the Leeds music scene,” agrees guitarist Lewis Frost. “We definitely spend way too much time there. You kind of feel like you have made it when you play Brude.”

Sunday Lunchtime Outside The Brudenell Social Club 5700395673

Mabgate

“Mabgate is like a DIY venue in the city centre,” Fontaine tells us. “I feel like we have been to a lot of gigs there but I don’t think we’ve played it yet. Mabgate is great for new artists because I feel like a lot of people put on their own shows. It’s like £4 on the door, everyone selling their own merch in this little sweaty room. I feel like it’s a really important part of the scene.”

“Mabgate is near Wharf Chambers, which is another great venue,” bassist Nick Eden considers. “You see some great bands play in those two. It has definitely become kind of a heart for new music in Leeds.”

Hyde Park Book Club

“Book Club seems to be a place where people tend to gather,” says Frost. “It’s a great venue and is probably up there with the crucial venues you want to play in Leeds. It’s got a great feel to it and it’s kind of an important place for connection. Similar to Brudenell Social Club, Hyde Park Book Club is located in an area where everyone in the Leeds music scene seems to live, so it’s great socially and you meet a lot of other people who are in bands or making music.”

Kirkgate Market

“Mr. Mackerel in Kirkgate market is one of my favourite places to eat in Leeds,” Frost shares. “A fish finger sandwich with halloumi in a wrap. It’s brilliant. Just the market in general is a great part of the city. There’s a lot of culture and it’s located right next to the Corn Exchange which has some great local shops and pop ups.”

“It’s the largest indoor market in Europe!” Fontaine adds. “And is also home to the first ever Marks and Spencer. You can visit the stall I think. They also have a cool record pop up there as well. Our uni halls were right opposite the market so I used to go there to get cheap fruits and vegetables.”

Leeds Conservatoire University

“I think the uni is a huge part of the music ecosystem in Leeds,” says Fontaine. “It was how we all connected and is a crucial part of the music scene in Leeds. I know of people coming from super far away to study music there.”

“One of my biggest takeaways from studying at Leeds Conservatoire was how important it is to connect with other people, alongside the theory behind what we were studying,” says Frost.

The New Headingley Club

“Somewhere that is becoming an integral part of the Leeds music scene is the New Headingley Club”, says Frost. “A lot of our mates are putting gigs on there at the minute. We played the New Year's Eve party this year,

“It’s become a place we often find ourselves if we wanna go for a drink,” says Fontaine. “It happens to be an upcoming place for the music ecosystem in Leeds and is a little quieter than some of the studenty bars in the city.”