'Wen’s is a favourite': Leeds band Vipertime reveal their go-to spots for visiting musicians
Coming to Leeds to perform a show, but unsure where the best haunts are? Perhaps one of the city’s local acts can help out.
We asked for recommendations from Leeds jazz ensemble Vipertime, who are set to support Manchester experimentalists CATBANDCAT this week, performing at Wharf Chambers on Thursday evening (December 18) alongside Marco Woolf.
Described as “born in the snake pit of Leeds house parties”, the aggro-jazz four-piece “have earned a ferocious reputation making a series of incendiary appearances at venues and festivals across the UK, honing their craft while pushing their line-up of saxophone, bass and twin drum sets to its sonic limits.”
The band are also set to tour the country in the new year, in support of their forthcoming album. And we needed their help to advise CATBANDCAT and others on what to do when coming to play in Leeds.
We spoke to Ben Powling, who shared what he and the band would suggest to those coming out of town to check out while in the city, including how to pass the time in between the dreaded wait of sound checks.
Local knowledge - Vipertime
You’re making that final approach into Leeds city centre - the song of choice you have for your arrival is what, and why?
Maybe ‘Outside The Trains Don’t Run On Time’ by Gang Of Four. Obviously, they’re Leeds legends, and we were deep in our Gang Of Four phase when we first formed Vipertime. We’ve always tried to keep some of that jagged energy in the sound.
But honestly, what is the algorithm suggesting that you have lined up to play instead?
The algorithm has definitely clocked our taste in noisy Leeds music. Could be some Delta 5, The Mekons, Xero Slingsby & The Works, I Like Trains, Post War Glamour Girls, Cowtown…
To kill time in Leeds before or after soundchecks, we can mostly find you…
Record shops are a tempting but risky one - it’s very easy to spend your gig fee once you start crate digging.; Noiseisforheroes, Relic Records, Crash, Jumbo Records have always been favourites.
And we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to a pre-show pint. It’s always worth paying a visit to Dave’s Ale and Pies, Melodie 71, The Templar or The Brunswick.
You’re looking for some food before taking to the stage - what is the essential eatery in Leeds you’ll be ordering food from?
Wen’s is a favourite of mine - nothing wrong with getting a Szechuan buzz before hitting the stage. The pizzas at Sela Bar are a pre-gig classic, as is the legendary Thai a Roy Dee.
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?
My favourite brekkie spot is definitely The Barn cafe at Meanwood Urban Farm.
Their breakfast and lunch menus are great, the coffee is fantastic, and you get to see some pigs and alpacas on the way in.
A musician can’t come to Leeds without bringing…
A strong liver and an open mind.
And they can’t leave Leeds without taking…
A hangover and a plan to return.
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 based on your own experiences/enjoyment?
We’re getting the bus out to Scotland Wood to go to the Seven Arches Viaduct and then walking down through The Hollies and Meanwood Park, following the Meanwood Valley Trail onto Woodhouse Ridge and ending at The Chemic.
A beautiful walk ending at one of the best pubs in Yorkshire.
And if you get a thirst en route, it’s easy to detour to The Myrtle or Alfreds.
What other local musicians would you recommend to those coming out of town to check out, and where can they be found?
We’re so spoiled for choice when it comes to new music.
It’s always worth catching our comrades X Ray Cat Trio and King Zepha when they’re performing in town, and guitarist Ben Haskins has an amazing new band called Lo Vu.
ATA Records up in Headingley is releasing an amazing mix of jazz, latin, reggae and more from bands like The Sorcerers, Work Money Death and The Flying Hats.
Tickets to see CATBANDCAT, Vipertime, and Marco Woolf at Wharf Chambers are available now through Dice FM (membership to Wharf Chambers required). To discover more about Vipertime, you can visit them on Facebook, Instagram or listen to their music on Bandcamp .