Live At Leeds: In The Park 2025 is something a bit special

Architectural tourism aside, there's a cracking lineup on offer, too. To avoid accusations of inflated egos, we won't review Dork's Down With Boring Live podcast, but we can only assume it was a highlight of most festivalgoers' days. From thereon in, it's all about the bands. It's a main stage slot for Sports Team, who are partway through a run of just under 20 shows in 10 days (yes, really). Energy levels aren't flagging, though, with the band rattling through a mix of new bangers and old classics. It's a stripped-back stage show, with Matador outfits and blimps replaced by the confidence of a band who know exactly what they're doing. 'I'm In Love (Subaru)' from just-released third album 'Boys These Days' hits the mark as an instant winner, while tracks like 'Here's The Thing' show just how much staying power they have, sounding as fresh and vital as they did the first time around. Those bruises from the band's remote paintball livestream are healing nicely, too.

Slightly worse for wear after singer Chris' 30th birthday the night before, Do Nothing nevertheless put on a stormer of a show, opening with their most recent track 'Summer of Hate' then slamming into the absolute banger that is 'LeBron James' just to make sure everyone's paying attention. There's new stuff peppered throughout, too, with the squelchy guitar line of 'Act Natural' a particular highlight. The band have always been a favourite of ours, and we're happy to report they're just as much fun live as they've always been.

Like a siren song, the honk of Fat Dog's saxophone draws people in from across the Live at Leeds site. In a lot of ways the perfect festival band, they have no trouble whipping the crowd into a frenzy to 'King of the Slugs', even in a mid-afternoon slot. New material gets an airing, too, sounding like a cross between their existing back catalogue and the music that blares out of the rides at a local funfair. For most bands, that'd be a lurch into the unknown, but for Fat Dog, it might as well be business as usual. Either way, it's great stuff.

From new songs to new names, Hard Life come on with a triumphant shout of "We back, babyyy!" To perform their first show since a litigious airline forced them to change their moniker. Not that this bump in the road has slowed them down, with rapturous fans receiving them like the returning heroes they are. Their blend of hip-hop beats and indie sensibility continues to see them plough their own unique furrow, with dextrous wordplay and laid-back delivery proving the perfect combination for the Live at Leeds crowd. By the time 'Pockets' kicks off, it's obvious that Hard Life are going to have an easy ride when it comes to reminding people what it is that makes them so great. Oh, and in a running theme of the day, there's some (very good) new music getting debuted too.

Meanwhile, under cover of darkness - kindly provided by the Dork Stage - Sunday (1994) are proving why they're the most hyped act to ever come from both Slough and California. Blending woozy nostalgia with tight instrumentals, they feel like one of those bands that have come straight out of the gate and nailed it. There are people at the front belting out the words, and in the ultimate festival seal of approval, punters walking to the nearby bar are finding themselves inexorably drawn to watch their set instead. "This is my first time in Leeds," says singer Paige between songs - maybe not surprising for a band only just releasing their second EP, but the band are so slick it's hard to believe they haven't been touring for years. Sometimes hype can set people up for a fall, but Sunday (1994) go above and beyond what you expect, and deserve every accolade coming their way.

Next up are Brógeal, bringing trad folk kicking and screaming into the 21st century. New single 'Friday On My Mind' is the first to get singalongs, but they basically don't stop from thereon in. Their hometown Falkirk is introduced as "a bit of a dump" before they launch into 'Girl From NYC', with singer Daniel Bouncing about on stage like a man possessed. Despite the current trad revival, folk can be a hard sell to people who see it as more of a 'tweed jumper' phenomenon than a 'ten pints of lager' one, but Brógeal aren't shy in setting the record straight, finishing the set with over twice as many people in the crowd as they started with.

Keeping the party going, Chloe Slater takes to the Dork Stage with the feel of a future superstar. Bristling with a snappy set perfect for festival days, anthemic indie-rock forces Leeds to pay attention to someone who's about to hit the big-time. Cuts like 'Price On Fun' and '24 Hours' lay down a marker, and judging by the wide-eyed looks from the packed stage in front of her, summer is truly Chloe's for the taking.

Three hours before their set, we see James from Yard Act wandering around looking for his mum - they're from around here, if you didn't already know. Fresh off the back of a huge Blackpool show where they presumably gave 'Blackpool Illuminations' a biblical airing, they take to the main stage as prodigal sons intent on showing everyone just how good they are. 'Fixer Upper' is back in the set and sounding better than ever, followed by 'Land of the Blind' to remind everyone how good they were from the word go.

What follows is a potted history of Yard Act, which bounces between album one and two and reminds you just how catchy they can be. From 'Petroleum' to 'Dark Days', the secret recipe has always been a mixture of witty lyrics, impressive instrumentals, and a hook which refuses to get out of your head for days. There's time for more introspective moments, too, with '100% Endurance' adding a tenderness to the latter part of the set. It's not just a run through the greatest hits, either. The band debut - you guessed it - a new song! Well, come on, the hometown crowd deserve something a bit special, don't they?

In fact, 'something a bit special' is a good way of summing up Live at Leeds: In the Park all round. A perfectly curated lineup, a whole host of artists at the top of their game and ready to debut new material, and picturesque setting to tie it all together. It really is one of the best day festivals around.