Famous Bands and Artists from Leeds
Ever wondered how many famous artists come from Leeds? Well, it turns out there are actually plenty of famous artists and bands from Leeds! What’s more is, many of these artists are quite well-known. But, you may not have known they were from Leeds.
So, which famous artists come from Leeds? With no further ado, let’s take a look at this:
Kaiser Chiefs
Our first famous band from Leeds is the Kaiser Chiefs. Rocking out together since 2000, this Leeds-based indie band was formerly known as Parva before they decided to get a fresh start with a new name. The group shot to stardom as an opening act for the NME Awards Tour in 2005, later winning their own NME award for Best Album the following year.
The newly-renamed Kaiser Chiefs’ first album, Employment, was released in the same year. This punk rock/new wave album quickly reached number two on the UK albums chart and was also shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.
The band’s first single, Oh My God, made number six on the UK singles chart, while their more well-known second single, I Predict a Riot, has remained popular since it first featured in the video games Gran Turismo 4 and Guitar Hero 3. This single has plenty of Leeds lore - Nick Hodgson was inspired to write it by his memories of driving home past the rowdy Leeds nightclub, Majestyk. In I Predict a Riot’s first video, Ricky Wilson even wears his old Leeds Grammar School Nevile house tie!
Soft Cell
Okay, so maybe they’re a tad more keytar than guitar. But you can’t deny that Soft Cell is a quintessential Leeds group! After meeting at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977, Marc Almond and David Ball recorded a now-rare EP named Mutant Moments.
But it was their cover of Tainted Love that propelled the duo from bedsit to stardom. A northern soul track first recorded by Gloria Jones, this single hit number one in 17 countries. In the UK, Tainted Love was the second best seller of 1981!
If you check out the Students’ Union at what is now Leeds Beckett University today, you’ll find a rainbow plaque honouring these local legends.
The Cribs
This more recent indie rock punk band received a Spirit of Independence award from Q Awards in 2012 and an Outstanding Contribution to Music NME award.
Founded by twin brothers Gary and Ryan Jarman with their younger brother Ross in 2001, The Cribs were inspired by fellow British rock bands like The Libertines.
As the former The Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, joined them in 2008, The Cribs were described as “the biggest cult band in the UK” by Q magazine. Their album Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever was certified Gold by both the British Phonographic Industry and the BRIT Awards.
Chumbawamba
They get knocked down, but they get up again!
Although originally hailing from Burnley, Lancashire, but making a name for themselves when they moved to Leeds, Chumbawamba were an alternative rock and pop band most famous for their UK number two, Tubthumping.
It’s not surprising that this anthem features a sample from the film Brassed Off - when Chumbawumba performed Tubthumping at the 1998 BRIT Awards, singer Danbert Nobacon poured a jug of water over the head of the then UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
This act was in response to Labour’s refusal to support the Liverpool Dockworkers’ Strike.
Further evidence of the band’s strong convictions could be seen when they turned down $1.5 million from Nike when the sweatshopping brand wanted to use Tubthumping in their World Cup advertisement.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Another noughties legend who is still active today, you’ll remember Corinne Bailey Rae’s chart-topping R&B single Put Your Records On. After Corinne’s debut single, Like a Star, made number one in the UK in 2006, it spent 71 weeks in the charts!
During this time, Corinne Bailey Rae was certified 2x platinum by the BPI, won best newcomer and best UK female at the MOBO awards, and was nominated for three Grammys. Her songs also feature in several film and TV soundtracks, including The Scientist, used in the opening title sequence of Fifty Shades Darker.
Mel B
Yes, Scary Spice harks from Leeds! Melanie Janine Brown shot to fame in 1995 when, after responding to an advertisement in The Stage magazine, she and the other four pioneers of girl power published that illustrious record-breaking album, Spice.
However, Mel B also has an equally successful solo career. The single I Want You Back from Mel’s 2000 solo album, Hot, quickly reached number one in the UK. If this wasn’t enough, this Leeds lady has also come second on Dancing with the Stars in America, judged on America’s Got Talent, and coached on The Voice Kids Australia!
The Pigeon Detectives
These Rothwell rockers formed in 2004. The avian sleuths had their first performance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals back in 2006. This time was when NME called them “the band most likely to leap to the main stage in 2007”. And this is precisely what they did - when their first album was released, it soon shot to number three in the UK.
Always keen to support Leeds, in 2009, the Pigeon Detectives produced a cover of Tainted Love where all proceeds went to help neglected children in Leeds.
And the name? Apparently, it comes from an old French cartoon!
Alt-J
No, I haven’t just accidentally typed a keyboard shortcut - also known as Δ, Alt-J is a well-known triangle-loving Leeds indie rock band established in 2007.
Gwilym Sainsbury, Joe Newman, Augustus Unger-Hamilton and Thomas Stuart were studying Fine Art at Leeds University when they realised they were ready to create some of their own fine art together.
After releasing their debut album, An Awesome Wave, in May 2012, Alt-J won the British Mercury Prize in the same year. The band’s music has also been featured across TV and cinema, including The Silver Linings Playbook, Stranger Things, and Captain America: Civil War.
The group’s fourth album, The Dream, was released on the 11th of February 2022.
Feeling Inspired By Local Bands and Artists?
What about you? Could you be the next artist on this list? If these local Leeds artists have inspired you to pick up the guitar and get started with music, book a lesson with me today! I offer rock guitar lessons but also cover different styles such as blues and jazz. Explore my website to find out about my musical outlook.
