The festival – back after a successful launch last year – celebrates the best in local up-and-coming music with a few big names thrown in for good measure.

Headline act will be Leeds's The Pigeon Detectives, below, who are playing two sold-out nights in Millennium Square, with The Wombats, one of Liverpool's most successful bands, also performing in a sell-out show on Sunday at Leeds University Union.

But with about 80 bands also playing, there should be something for everyone's tastes.

The festival takes over many city centre venues today and tomorrow with a £10 wristband giving access to venues.

Among those on the bill are The Sugars, Grammatics, Metronomy, Ipso Facto, Hatcham Social, The Rascals, Last Gang, The Debuts, Middleman, XX Teens, The Dykeenies and The Bacchae.

Venues hosting the gigs include The Cockpit, The Cockpit 3, The Faversham, Brudenell Social Club, Joseph's Well, The Wardrobe, The Library, The Packhorse and Trash.

Leisure supremo Coun John Procter said: "This promises to be a great weekend for music fans and bands alike as the city really does come alive to Live at Leeds!"

Live at Leeds is organised by Futuresound, Leeds City Council, Leeds Metropolitan University, The Leeds Guide, Leeds College of Music and Marketing Leeds.

Wristbands for gigs are available at www.liveatleeds.co.uk.