Biffy Clyro perform exclusive intimate charity gig at Headrow House in Leeds
The band will headline Leeds Festival this summer
Rock band Biffy Clyro have perfomed an exclusive, intimate charity gig at Headrow House in Leeds, ahead of headlining Leeds Festival this summer.
The band volunteered to come to the city to 'say hello' before performing on the main stage at the festival on Friday 26th August.
It was to raise money for the local children's charity Martin's House, with all proceeds matched by Leeds Festival. The charity provides free care and support to children and young people with a life-limiting illness and their families.
Frontman Simon Neil says when they last performed at Bramham Park it was a 'glorious' time and explained that the city holds special memories for them.
"We haven’t played Leeds since the last festival so it was important for us to come along and at least say hello
"It’s also to remind people that quite often people talk about Reading festival and more often than not, Leeds is often a better vibe to be honest. We’re here to big up Leeds Fest because it's its own thing.
"Last time Leeds was the first big festival we'd headlined and we were nervous on the way up, the first few songs were sketchy and it felt like we hadn’t settled, it was raining and everything then the PA cut out then as it came back in, the crowd just went mental and that’s the moment I’ll always remember.
"It’s been one of the most glorious feelings we’ve ever had as a band. From feeling like ‘oh no this could end right now’ to the crowd being even stronger, it felt like we were all in it together."
All Reading and Leeds ticket holders were invited to enter a ballot for a chance to see the band play.
Biffy Clyro are made up of Simon Neil and brothers Ben and James Johnston. They're one of five headliners for this year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Disclosure and Fall Out Boy.
Their new album Ellipses is out on the 8th July.
[Gallery: Biffy Clyro perform charity gig at Headrow House in Leeds.