Five artists from the Leeds City Region to watch out for in 2018

By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2018, 11:15 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2018, 12:25 BST
Clockwise from top left, Park Fires, KOYO, Sounds Like A Storm, Dave-O and Louie James. Montage: Graeme BandeiraClockwise from top left, Park Fires, KOYO, Sounds Like A Storm, Dave-O and Louie James. Montage: Graeme Bandeira
Clockwise from top left, Park Fires, KOYO, Sounds Like A Storm, Dave-O and Louie James. Montage: Graeme Bandeira

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Yorkshire Evening Post music writers Faith Gledhill, Tom Newton and Duncan Seaman choose five acts from the Leeds City region to look out for in 2018.

Sounds Like A Storm

Sounds Like A Storm are the rapturous Leeds based rock ’n’ roll quartet comprised of Sennen Ludman, Joseph Schofield, Cormac Connelly and Connor Passey.

Despite only having been together little over a year and all being aged between just 17 and 19, they have become known and respected throughout the UK for their dedicated work ethic, articulated sound and galvanising live shows.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Sounds Like A Storm focus on hard work and graft. Nothing comes for free and if you put so much in, you will get so much out. Simple,” says frontman, Sennen.

2017 has undoubtedly brought huge success; two studio singles, Emission and Blind And Deaf were released to huge acclaim and the band have worked tirelessly to perfect their live performances.

“Going from playing the same venues week in week out, we suddenly became this band who play the majority of our shows out of town. It all just seemed to take off,” Sennen says.

They’re already hoping for more of the same next year.

“We’ve already confirmed a big Leeds support slot early next year, alongside some festivals later on. Hopefully we’ll just continue what we’ve started... smashing the live shows and producing some banging singles.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Watch this space, because a storm is most definitely coming. FG

CLICK HERE FOR SOUNDS LIKE A STORM’S SOUNDCLOUD PAGE

KOYO

Two differing acts have stood out personally for me, head and shoulders over their contemporaries.

New-prog, indie-prog, the prog awakens, there’s always some prog pre-fix to the outstanding Leeds band KOYO.

Rocketing to the BBC Introducing stage at Leeds Festival, finishing in the top 40 or higher in many music publications top 100 end of year lists and bringing out one of the best albums of the year, this has been a huge start for the band.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you have a new year resolution to get out and discover something you haven’t heard or seen before, track a copy of the album down and keep your eyes open for upcoming gigs by KOYO in 2018.

CLICK HERE FOR KOYO’S SOUNDCLOUD PAGE

Louie James

Coming out of the bleak obscurity of Wakefield, is the wonderful Louie James. The young acoustic singer-songwriter has gone from busker to genuine authentic troubadour in a relatively short time.

Taking it back to grassroots DIY open mic gigs or releasing new single Different Worlds, Louie takes it in his stride and keeps his talent and ability firmly the focus over ego. He is understated and underrated by himself, but the numbers on his VEVO channel show a different story with his fans, reaching some 12,000 in less than three months.

A champion of the local music scene and a genuine talent, Louie James is heading for a bright future in 2018. TN

CLICK HERE FOR LOUIE JAMES’ FACEBOOK PAGE

Dave-O