This is the fifth year that UKREiiF has taken place in Leeds. While it may be a fantastic opportunity for West Yorkshire to highlight development plans and seek investment, it is also an opportunity to showcase culture.
Many areas of the country have pavilions or other designated spaces at UKREiiF. The West Yorkshire Pavillion has opened each day with music. On Tuesday, Leeds based Back Chat Brass roused people and energised them for the start of the conference. On Wednesday, our morning became more joyous with the arrival of Big Drums from Kirkleees.
Delegates who arrived at Leeds Station for the three-day conference on Monday afternoon were welcomed with music. Four acts had been lined up to highlight local talent: Belle Velvet, Solow Choir, Molly Rymer and Testament.
My journey to the event on Tuesday and Wednesday was enhanced through music. In association with Vastint, the developers behind the Aire Park development, music was on offer at Leeds Railway Station and Aire Park each morning of the event.
I was fortunate to catch Katrina Elenkva on both days, once at Aire Park and once at the station. I was impressed on both occasions by her beautiful, clear delivery and impressive range. Katerina originally came here from Bulgaria to study at the University of Leeds. After finishing her undergraduate studies, she decided her future lay in music and went on to study a master’s at Leeds Conservatoire.
Other performers on the two mornings included Ric Neale, CHUMP, Sarah Widdup, Will Matthew, Warren Jones, Fee, Pearl Natasha (a wonderful songwriter who I was sorry to have missed), and Nick Keating.
On Thursday morning, residents and visitors to Leeds were entertained with the music of Molly Rymer, Kirsty Brennan and Warren Jones at the railway station and Lola Simms, CHUMP and Nick Keating at Aire Park.
Well done to Jake Keating, local musician and busker, for organising the performances. Thanks to Vastint and Leeds City Council for their support for local musicians. When surrounded by talk of finance and construction, it is good to be reminded that you need more than bricks and mortar to make a place.
Photography by Debbie Rolls unless otherwise captioned.
