Local Knowledge: Utah Saints pick their favourite Leeds haunts ahead of massive Millennium Square gig

From their early days at Coconut Grove to a decade-long residency at The Elbow Room—and a career that has seen them support U2 on stadium tours—Tim Garbutt and Jez Willis have always kept Leeds at the very core of their musical identity.

As they prepare for a massive homecoming show at Millennium Square on June 26, we caught up with the duo to talk about the landmarks that shaped them, the independent eateries they swear by, and the "A-game" required to play for a Leeds audience.

Tickets are also still available now from all leading ticketing outlets, including Ticketmaster.

So whether you’re a veteran of the 200-capacity raves that birthed the city's house scene or a newcomer looking for the best coffee spots in the city centre, the Saints have the "Local Knowledge" you need.

Local Knowledge: Utah Saints

You’re making that final approach into Leeds City Centre - the song of choice you have for your arrival is what, and why?

Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust. Leeds has always been our musical home – we make better music when we are in Leeds, and the amount of gigs and clubs we’ve been to over the years, and the people that go to them have always been super inspiring to us, so the title means a lot to us.

Also, for ten years, we ran Saturday night at The Elbow Room, and this was always an anthem there.

But honestly, what is the algorithm suggesting that you have lined up to play instead?

Probably the latest dance music releases – we listen to new music all the time, and there is always something exciting there. We do try to deliberately confuse our algorithms, though.

We listen to some classic Motorhead, then some disco, then something completely new – it’s important not to get pulled into a narrower and narrower rabbit hole!

To kill time in Leeds before or after soundchecks, we can mostly find you…

We don’t really kill time – there is always something to do.

We’re self-managed, so there is usually some business to take care of, and we are always looking for new ways to manipulate sounds and the tracks we play, so you could also find us experimenting with some samples.

You’re looking for some food before taking to the stage - what is the essential eatery in Leeds you’ll be ordering food from?

That is a difficult one, as there are a lot of great, independent places to eat. If we really had to choose, then it would be Lupe’s Cantina on Cardigan Road in Headingley. The food is authentic, really good, and one of the owners used to run the bar in the function room above Coconut Grove, where we first started our nights in Leeds, back in the day.

We did the Friday night every week, and Nightmares on Wax did the Saturday. 200 capacity, at the start of the rave. The building later became The Gallery, then The Pleasure Rooms.

Breakfast rolls around the next day, though - will you be returning to that establishment, or is there an ‘essential’ breakfast place in Leeds you’ll be heading to?

That changes all the time – we would usually look in the Yorkshire Evening Post for recommendations and then cross-reference with Tripadvisor.

We are fans of the coffee in Ankave, though, next to the museum.

A musician can’t come to Leeds without bringing…

A bit of knowledge of the great musical history of the city – we have such an amazing musical heritage, and everything influences everything else, so many connections. In our time in Leeds, we have crossed paths with so many musical legends, and all have left their mark here as well.

And of course, you need to bring your “A” Game!

And they can’t leave Leeds without taking…

A warm feeling inside, a selfie at one of the many landmarks in Leeds, and an idea of what a great audience and music scene there is in the city.

You’ve suddenly had a career change and become a Tourist Guide for Leeds - what are the three landmarks or activities you would suggest people visit in Leeds based on your own experience or enjoyment?

The Music Leeds Us Exhibition at Leeds Museum: it’s free and gives some amazing insight into the music, organisations, clubs, venues and personalities that have helped shape the city. It’s currently there until June this year. Leeds Conservatoire and the amazing volunteers and staff at the museum have put something very special together – don’t miss it! It’s also next to Millennium Square – an iconic space in the middle of the city.

Leeds University Union Refectory. This is where The Who recorded their album “Live At Leeds, and helped put the city even more on the musical map. We’ve seen so many iconic acts in that venue, and even saw The Clash busk on the steps outside. We also met U2 when they played there, and went on to support them on their stadium tour a few years later.

We filmed the video for our ‘Something Good’ track in that venue and nearly called our album “Utah Saints Live At Leeds” because we live here, but it was felt that people might mispronounce it and think it was a live album.

A visit to Headingley Stadium to see either Leeds Rhinos or the cricket – to marvel at the skill, teamwork, and passion for Leeds!

On the way back, go to any of the huge number of green spaces we have in the city. Just a place to sit, get your head together, and focus on the important things.

What other local musicians would you recommend to those coming out of town to check out, and where can they be found?

There are too many to list – there is such a great wealth of talent in the West Yorkshire region, and definitely something for everyone – a quick visit to the websites of West Yorkshire Music Network, Music:Leeds, Bradford Music Scene, Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post (and lots more) will show you that.

Some acts we really like at the moment – Polite Bureaux, Jae Depz, Gawp, Alta, La Rissa, Flash Cassette, Angel Lee, Graft, Cole LC, Lois, Adult DVD, Augustin Bousfield and Junior Simba.