Sunday at Leeds Festival was a big day, in more ways than one. With rock the order of the day after Saturday nights crowning slot for Mumford & Sons, the Main Stage boasted a mix of rising and risen talent that most festivals would probably reserve for a lower level stage. But then thats part of Reading & Leeds charm: its not stuffy or pretentious about booking, and its clearly not afraid to offend or provoke. The highlights on the excellent third day were numerous and mostly unsurprising from bands who have great live shows in their blood, but familiarity never breeds content where class is concerned. Props too to Fidlar, who were good, despite the fact that their second microphone wasnt turned on at first. Likewise Atreyu - uncharitably pushed aside by a clash with the hugely popular Royal Blood - had their own audio issues that their ability glossed over when it counted. Baby Metal are always worthy of some mention even if their gimmick distracts from the fact that their backing band are a very good, very solid outfit who deserve more mention than the idea theyre trapped behind. Ok, so theyre loved in some places, but theyre not for everyone. So who were the best bands on day 3 of the festival?
7. Modestep
To say Modestep are an acquired taste might be the greatest understatement of all time, but theres no arguing with their quality - or their ability to inspire a fierce reaction - when theyre on form. Their immediately recognisable blend of rock, electro and dubstep was easily the loudest point of the third day on the Main Stage (and thats something to shout about when Metallica and Bring Me The Horizon were both on show). It was confrontational, it was inspiring and singer Josh Friend managed to whip the crowd up without insisting on the strange kind of insulting hype Bring Me The Horizon tended to resort to. And its a lot easier to dance to this Prodigy/Pendulum infused vibe without being called a c*nt.
