Live at Leeds 2012 festival - its 6th year brings Example, Marina and the Diamonds, The Subways and more

Live at Leeds

The city of Leeds has plenty to be proud of, none more so than its thriving live music scene. Festivals like this one certainly help. Now in its 6th year, Live At Leeds offers three days of international, regional and local bands performing at various venues in and around the city centre during the first May Bank Holiday (4th to 6th), augmented by the occasional 'special' show and a seminar, cheekily titled The Unconference which kickstarts the festivities .

This year's first wave of artists were announced exclusively on the official Twitter page last night, mostly met with hoots of excitement and fervour. The bigger guns included The Subways, Marina and the Diamonds, Ladyhawke and Los Campesinos! (who also all have tours and shows coming up during 2012 - check their pages for details), plus iLiKETRAiNS, Spector and the much-touted Howler. As well as Spector, this year's BBC Sound of 2011 hopefuls get a run-out including Niki and the Dove, Ren Harvieu (tour announced yesterday), Dot Rotten and the uniquely tonsilled Jamie N Commons.

Early Bird Saturday-only wristbands sold out before Live At Leeds was even announced, but standard Saturday tickets are still available at £20. Timings and venues will be announced in due course, with further ticket options to become available in due course (Saturday is the big day though).

One 'special' show to tell you about - Example will be appearing at the Leeds Millennium Square on Saturday 5th May with Wretch 32 in support. You'll need a separate ticket for this one, priced at £25 - demand for this will be high. Other evening shows will be announced in due course and may or may not include some of the names mentioned above - details to follow.

Paul Pledger