Remember the name! Unsigned band Fighting Caravans set for Leeds Festival stage

They're the likely lads who are looking to make a giant leap towards rock '˜n' roll stardom at this month's Leeds Festival.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.

Fighting Caravans are an unsigned band from the city who won the chance to play at the August Bank Holiday weekend music extravaganza in a competition run by local concert promoter Futuresound.

Today they and other up-and-coming acts appearing at the festival attended a ‘meet the press’ event at its venue, Bramham Park, near Wetherby.

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And the band – who take their name from a 1930s Western film and count everybody from Elvis Presley to Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner as influences – say they cannot wait to return to Bramham for the big one later this month.

Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.

Drummer Josh Hagan, 21, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I was 16 when I first went to the festival and it’s a bit surreal to think that this year I’m going to be on the stage and not in the crowd.

“We know we’re in a very fortunate position.”

Two of Josh’s bandmates, guitarist Alex Fletcher and singer Daniel Clark, were with him at today’s event.

The quintet are completed by guitarist Ross Day and bassist Simeon Lees.

Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
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They will be joined on the festival bill by Futuresound competition runners-up The Indigo Project, Vexxes, Dusk, Adore//Repel and Night Owls.

Also playing are Yorkshire band Faux Pas, thanks to their win in the annual Centre Stage contest that raises funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, near Wetherby.

Festival boss Melvin Benn said he hoped all of the acts would seize the chance to make an impact at one of the biggest events in the UK’s music calendar.

He told the YEP today: “I’m delighted to be giving these bands an opportunity that a lot of others have taken, including some bands that are playing this year.

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“Two Door Cinema Club started here at Leeds Festival, Cage The Elephant started here at Leeds Festival.

“For these bands it’s a real, real opportunity – it gives them a national platform because they play both Leeds and [sister event] Reading.”

Day and weekend tickets are still on sale for the festival.

Acts playing its Main Stage include Biffy Clyro, Foals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Vaccines and Courteeners.

For full ticket information, visit the www.leedsfestival.com website.