Featured image: Ruby Boland
As the gates of Bramham Park finally opened for the 2026 edition, so too did the heavens, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the whole weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking this year’s instalment of Leeds Festival was a write-off. Neither the punters nor the artists would let this dreary weather dampen their spirits on this ceremonious, first-ever Thursday night opening.
Opening proceedings for the weekend is a Manchester four-piece fresh off the back of their newly released EP. Back to Belle Vue. Arkayla, formed in 2020 by Cal Blakeborough and guitarist Finley Rubens, showcase a refreshing take on the indie-rock formula, built on bouncy, melodic guitars and instantly memorable lyricism. The crowd finally comes together for our first two singalongs of the weekend with ‘Fortune Teller’ and ‘Doctor’, safe to say our voices are well and truly warmed up for the weekend ahead. Arkayla brings the inaugural set of Leeds 2026 to end with the iconic ‘Run Kid’, sending the crowd into a raucous frenzy.
With the tone set by Arkayla, it’s time for the indie romantic stylings of The Lathums, a band defined by powerful, poetic lyricism and ballads that will either warm your heart or punch you in the gut. As the Wigan-born band take to the stage, your eyes can’t help but be drawn to Alex Moore’s wide-brimmed cowboy hat. He patrols around the stage like a Sheriff with boyish charm.
They begin the set in dramatic fashion, cutting through the chatter with the ever-poignant ‘Say My Name’ emulating a conversation with a lost loved one, offering comfort to those left behind. Not ones to bring the mood down, they proceed to follow up with the heartwarming and hopeful ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’.
That instantly recognisable, raw ‘Club Foot’ riff tears through the audience chatter as Kasabian make their mark on Bramham Park once again, Sergio “Serge” Pizzorno bounces on stage with unmistakable swagger, immediately commanding the audience to get up and mosh.
Eager to keep the energy up, the iconic ‘Underdog’ has the crowd bouncing as Pizzorno encourages us to get low, while songs like ‘Coming Back To Me Good’ and ‘SUPERPOWERS’ showcase the band’s new dance-inspired direction. With samples galore, from The Prodigy’s ‘Breathe’ to the iconic “Are you not entertained?” speech from the Gladiator, Kasabian act as the ultimate ‘hype-men’ for the weekend ahead.
Highlights of the set include Pizzorno urging almost the entire crowd to get up on each other’s shoulders for ‘You’re in Love with a Psycho’, of course, some punters took this as a competition with Serge pointing out a ‘double-stack’ peaking over the sea of bodies. As well as an outstanding trumpet solo in ‘stevie’.
Pizzorno looks outstanding at the helm of Kasabian, he’s really come into his own as a frontman since the departure of Tom Meighan in 2020, he commands the audience with an unrivalled swagger and energy, he’s exactly where he wants to be, getting emotional as he thanks the audience for lending him their energy tonight.
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