Leeds Festival (Day Three): Raye, Lana Del Rey and More Sign Off a Challenging Weekend [Photos]

So we arrive on-site at Bramham Park for the final day of what has been a rollercoaster ride of a weekend at Leeds Festival. Everyone is strapped in for more predicted high winds, but thankfully, nothing much prevails, and the day goes off without too much of a hitch.

With the Radio 1 stage closed for the weekend, we head over to the Festival Republic stage, where the utterly brilliant Glaswegian quartet Dead Pony are here to kick up a storm. Judging by how busy the tent was for the band, Leeds Festival was in the mood to ensure the last day kicked off with a banging set from the rising alt-rock/metal Scots, who proved quite easily why they’ll be rapidly climbing bills like this one. Over on the Main Stage, Massachusset alt-rock brought a bit of American grit to the early afternoon, which, looking out over the sea of people gathered around the main stage, didn’t go unappreciated.

Sadly, the ever-changing time schedule meant our final day schedule went out of the window, but as the members of the mysterious sextet The Last Dinner Party made their way out into a slightly overcast Leeds afternoon, there was both intrigue and concern that the band’s quirky sound and performance wouldn’t translate to the mainstage. Thankfully, it did, but only just, and while there was nothing with their performance, expect their Autumn tour to be the place where you get to experience their real magic.

Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff was here to make sure the Leeds Festival energy levels were cranked up. Racing about the stage, climbing onto his piano before ordering the crowd to sit down before jumping en masse, Antonoff was the perfect ball of energy this afternoon needed, matching the Bruce Springsteen-tinged rock his band were dishing up. One fan in the crowd held up a sign saying, “Marry Me Jack.” We feel this fan might have to join a queue.

As we reach the mid-afternoon slot at Leeds Festival, it’s easy to see energy levels flagging in the crowd, especially after what has been a challenging weekend for many here. So, what better time for Dublin post-punks Fontaines D.C. to come smashing out of the blocks with their raging indie anthems? Fronted by Grian Chatten, a man who would probably spoil for a scrap if he didn’t think you were giving 100%, Fontaines, D.C, gave the festival a much-needed shot in the arm to get us through the last few hours.

What a last few hours they were as well. First up was the utterly flawless Raye, who, despite a blocked nose, powered through her set like an absolute superstar. Backed by a huge orchestra, the singer’s epic r&b was attention-grabbing stuff, ending up being one of the high points of this weekend. Speaking of high points, the appearance on the main stage for special guest Lana Del Rey brought crowds from all over the festival and, while she may have been hit with problems in Reading the previous night, here in Leeds, her epic cinematic pop went off without a hitch.

So, having had our ears blitzed by the entertaining antics of The Viagra Boys on the Festival Republic, we join battle our way through the many Lana Del Rey fans heading for the exits at the end of her set. It’s been a weekend with many challenges and troubles, but by the time Fred Again brought the curtain down on Leeds Festival 2024, everyone headed for their beds, knowing that, in twelve months’ time, we’ll be back here doing it all again.

Reading & Leeds Festival returns on August 21-24th, 2025, and you can find out more details here for Leeds Festival and here for Reading Festival.

Leeds Festival (Day Three) @ Bramham Park (Leeds, UK) on August 25th, 2024

52 photos