Constellations Festival to light up Leeds this weekend!

It’s less than a week until Constellations Festival returns, and with a blistering line-up it’s the perfect antidote to those winter blues. 

Who said festivals were strictly a summer affair? Constellations sees over 25 acts playing across the day, all under one roof – the sumptuous surroundings of Leeds University Union.

This year’s stellar line-up includes some of the most captivating acts of 2011 as well as the future stars of 2012. With a mix of local and international acts, Constellations offers a great opportunity to check out the acts you’ve been meaning to see all year but never got round to.

Crowd favourites Wild Beasts return to play one of their last UK dates of the year along with Braids who have been supporting them on various tour dates. Anyone who has already seen the Canadian quartet will know that their brand of experimental shoegaze is not to be missed.

Constellations also sees the return of The Big Pink, who will be showcasing material from their new album along with Summer Camp who will be playing tracks from their eagerly anticipated debut ‘Welcome to Condale’. Hot off their tour with The Maccabees, sister act 2:54 will also be making an appearance with their bewitching sounds.

Other acts on the line up include recent winners of The Fly’s album of the year - The Antlers, local favourites Spectrals, along with Big Deal, Double Muscle, Dutch Uncles, Eagulls, EXITMUSIC, Fear of Men, Gardens & Villa, Givers, Gross Magic, Hookworms, Islet Outfit, Spector, Stalking Horse, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Three Trapped Tigers, Vessels, Vondelpark, Yuck and Zulu Winter.

It’s not all about the music though and if you need a breather, the Exhibition Hall will be providing a new home for the screen printing and poster exhibition which proved so very popular last year. The hall will also become home to a range of new artworks, installations and films, some which have been curated especially for the event. WARP will also be curating a special program of moving image work which will be shown in the brand spanking new pop-up cinema.

Those of you eager to get things started before the main event will be pleased to know they have some warm-up shows planned, starting on Thursday at The Brudenell Social Club with New Villager, Runners and Bear Mask. Friday sees last year’s festival favourites Los Campesinos! play The Cockpit and an array of acts including Trophy Wife and Theme Club hit The Brudenell.

More details, along with set times to avoid any clashes can be found at www.constellationsfestival.com

Words: Michelle Lloyd

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