ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Leeds Festival has hosted loads of home grown bands over the years and 2009 is no different. With the line up for the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Introducing Stage hot off the press Raw Talent Introducing takes time out to introduce to you the three local bands who impressed a panel including Radio 1's Zane Lowe and Steve Lamacq and of course, our very own Alan Raw.

Congratulations to ELLEN AND THE ESCAPADES. The graduates of Leeds College of Music are really looking forward to playing the Introducing stage this year.
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β€œSome of us haven't been to Leeds Fest yet so it makes it all the more special that the first time we all get to go together is as a band, playing on one of the stages.”

The band are currently on theΜύlast leg of their Switzerland tour but would very much like to follow the festival with some gigs on home soil. They’re setting their sights on conquering more festivals next summer.

Also on the Stage this year, Hull band HORSEGUARDS PARADE. Front man James Waudby, formerly of Salako and The Sorry Loves, is also in Marble Valley with Pavement’s drummer Steve West. HGP have been played by both Tom Robinson on 6 Music and by Steve Lamacq and are regulars on the Raw Talent playlist.

BEAR DRIVER can more often than not be found in their Volkswagen van, so look out for the temporary home in the campsite at Leeds. The band have already played in session on Huw Stephens Introducing on Radio 1 and are looking forward to their festival debut. " Leeds will the first time we've played a festival" enthuse the band " Leeds is a festival that some of the local northern bands have made their mark at. We hope to follow them".

Raw Talent Introducing will be live backstage at Leeds over the August Bank Holiday weekend so you'll be able to hear how the bands do in front of the big Festival crowd. Remember the bands also get to play Reading as well so Bear Driver are going to need that campervan!