Well, well, Live at Leeds: In the Park 2024*… where do we begin? Maybe with the fact a sunny day descended into navigating a muddy bog? Or perhaps that childhood dreams were made? Usually, we recap the day’s antics in chronological order, but this time, we’ve produced a reel for that. So let’s start with the absolute, bona fide, Record Weekly-approved highlights and go from there this time.

Dublin’s SPRINTS owned the Clash stage. Since knocking our socks off via the airwaves of BBC Radio 6 Music during a car journey, they’ve been a band we haven’t tired of. So they were naturally the big one for us. A flash of coral hair, husky vocal shrieks, to-die-for harmonies, an arsenal of delicious Fender axes… the list of reasons why they put on the masterclass was almost endless. The room was aptly heavy and the four-piece were effortlessly cool, totally rocking out like those ‘70s pioneers would’ve done in their heyday. We had goosebumps, and SPRINTS were more than good for up-and-comers…

Putting The Mysterines on a line-up ought to come with a warning; my eyes can’t hack the instant excitement. So having the opportunity not only to see them for a fourth time, but to introduce them in a live setting to the other half of the RW team on the day was a TREAT. They opened with new tune ‘Sink Ya Teeth’, which has been doing very well in the lead-up to their as-yet-unreleased sophomore album (due 21st June). And although we’re yet to have ‘The Last Dance’, that was another newbie that raised hell in front of the massive crowd. Token tambourine shakes punctuated their fresher material, while their older classics remained beyond super-tight and razor-sharp. Signing out with ‘Stray’, they left us hungry onlookers well-fed.

When you hear the words “here’s to a fucking fabulous summer!” from the mouth of a ‘90s icon you’ve been in awe of since you were small, it’s a pinch-me moment. That’s exactly what happened when none other than Mel C — yes, bloody well of Spice Girls fame — rose to The Cockpit stage. Garnering a crowd that grew as the seconds ticked by, the now-50-year-old superstar was a sheer delight to see perform. Something I never thought I’d have the pleasure of witnessing, either. She was ultra-professional, just as she — Sporty Spice — would’ve been when touring with her bandmates. More of her modern bops obviously made the setlist, but those bangers of my youth had been craftily saved until last. Her collaboration with Bryan Adams, ‘When You’re Gone’, perhaps blessed me with one of the event’s best bursts of elation, then came a handful of the Spice Girls’ hits. An acoustic version of ‘Spice Up Your Life’? Yeah, unbeatable stuff.

So we very much had a blast relishing all the solo female and female-fronted artists and outfits on the billing. And to our benefit, we also caught segments of sets from Baby Queen and Imogen and the Knife.

Although we didn’t get to revel in the slick vibes emanating from Cosmo Pyke’s showcase for long, we rated what we caught. But if we get back to the subject of bands we fully watched, who left us in awe, let’s talk Courting. Rowdy indie, fun in-crowd interaction, uber-tight instruments? What a cracking, lively start to the day they served. They performed on the barriers — proper festival tent mode, much? And again, there were a few tambourine shakes. As the sun poked through and reflected off guitar scratch plates, the quintet very much understood how to get the energy building — after all, it was “[their] job to get everybody warmed up”. I’ll be reaching for their album again this week…

Vistas delivered buoyant indie-rock from Scotland on the main stage to a hoard of people early afternoon, which culminated in savouring the oh-so-catchy ‘Stranger’ and delightful ‘Retrospect’ live for the first time. And it was similar with Mystery Jets — through their tinkling strings and avant-garde noughties vibes, ‘Two Doors Down’ and ‘Serotonin’ were bucket-list box-tickers!

Before the rain came, The Cribs were GIGANTIC. Classics such as my personal faves, ‘Cheat On Me’ and ‘Men’s Needs’, got everyone on their feet or scrambling on shoulders, as the quad played one mightily tight set. While it poured, the tent became packed and streamers were unleashed from beside the stage in a finale-giving, anthemic end to the night.

It’s safe to say we had quite the epic day out, with press access once again courtesy of the brilliant Hanglands! So, who’s copping tickets to Live at Leeds: In the City this year then? Peep at all the details here.

*With thanks to Hanglands for the press access.