Vibrant June Music Scene in Leeds
June Music Scene In Leeds
BY STUART GLOSSOP
Starbenders are the glam‑rock insurgents dragging glitter, danger and decadence back into modern rock with a ferocity that feels both timeless and violently new. Fronted by the magnetic Kimi Shelter, the band fuse 70s glam swagger, punk bite and neon‑lit 80s new‑wave sheen into a sound that’s as theatrical as it is razor‑sharp. Onstage, Starbenders are pure spectacle: glitter‑streaked, leather‑clad, and unapologetically maximalist. Shelter commands the room with the swagger of a classic rock icon, while the band behind her delivers a tight, high‑voltage assault that turns every show into a ritual. Their 2026 touring schedule spans the UK, Europe and beyond, cementing their reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts in contemporary rock. With a cult‑growing global fanbase, a defiantly glam identity, and a catalogue that keeps levelling up, Starbenders stand as one of the most exciting bands carrying rock’s theatrical torch into the future. Brudenell Social Club 5th June
Aldous Harding is the New Zealand art‑folk shapeshifter whose voice, vision, and theatrical presence have made her one of the most singular songwriters of her generation. Born Hannah Sian Topp in 1990 in Auckland, she emerged from the tight‑knit Lyttelton scene before reinventing herself under the name Harding — a persona that would become synonymous with surreal lyricism, emotional ambiguity, and a performance style equal parts intimate and uncanny. Her self‑titled debut (2014) introduced a stark, gothic‑folk sensibility, but it was Party (2017), produced by John Parish and released on 4AD, that marked her international breakthrough. Critics praised its eerie minimalism and shape‑shifting vocals, with the album earning multiple nominations at the New Zealand Music Awards and winning the Taite Music Prize. The Irish Centre, 7th June
EMF are a band reborn. The ludicrous strength of their reunion albums, combined with the obvious love they have for each other, makes their shows something to treasure, and the connection between band and audience is genuine. As life-affirming live as they are on record, make sure you catch EMF in person. Formed in 1989 in the quiet town of Cinderford in England's Forest of Dean, EMF exploded onto the global stage with their infectious blend of dance, rock, and pop. Within a year, they were everywhere, thanks to the smash hit "Unbelievable," a song that would go on to define a generation and top charts worldwide. Brudenell Social Club 7th June
Hailing from West London, Eleni Drake is a singer, songwriter and producer whose songs are decorated with a wonderful mixture of indie rock, blues and jazz. Creating unique, vintage and gorgeous sounding ballads her brooding and moody songs are self produced and a clear view into her heart. Her most recent full release is her LP 'Chuck', released on 31 October 2025 via MNRK, which continues Eleni’s journey from her celebrated 2024 EP, Above Deep Water. Having self-released her previous projects, Eleni continues to find a devoted following for her undeniable talent. Headrow House, 10th June
Photo: Lily-Allen
Lily Allen is the sharp‑tongued, genre‑blurring British songwriter whose wit, candour, and cultural bite reshaped 21st‑century pop. Emerging from Myspace in 2005 with a DIY swagger and a voice that refused to sand down its London edges, she became an instant phenomenon when her debut single “Smile” hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2006. Her 2025 album West End Girl marked a major artistic resurgence: a critically acclaimed, emotionally raw record exploring betrayal, heartbreak, and the fallout of her separation from actor David Harbour. It became her highest‑charting album in 11 years, First Direct Arena, 21st June
Photo: Alice Faye
Glasgow songwriter and pianist Alice Faye is fast becoming one of Scotland’s most distinctive new voices, crafting songs that balance cinematic drama with intimate, confessional storytelling. Blending 70s pop, 60s folk and classic country with a theatrical, chanson-inspired flair, her music feels both timeless and vividly modern. Rich piano arrangements, sharp lyrical wit and a striking vocal style sit at the heart of her work, creating songs that move seamlessly from tender vulnerability to bold, playful spectacle. Hyde Park Book Club, June 28th June
Finally, a quick mention for a new Leeds band Vertigo who are ruffling a few feathers. Owing much to Green Day you can hear their potential on their excellent new single Wasted. More at their Instagram page www.instagram.com/vertigoofficialleeds
