Music preview: JUX festival at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

JUX is the newest addition to Leeds’ flourishing DIY music scene, bringing together active participants of some of the vibrant musical communities across the North and London.

Taking place all day on Saturday February 20 at the Brudenell Social Club, the aim of the festival is to offer a broad range of music by juxtaposing artists who would otherwise not usually play on the same bill due to the unchallenging, restrictive nature of music festival line-ups today.

Co-organiser Matt Woodward says: “Myself and co-organiser Michael Ainsley both work in Leeds Central Library’s Music and Performing Arts department in the city centre, and we experience a range of music every day through our work. Michael and I both play drums in Yard Wars and Galaxians respectively.

“We felt tired of generic and unchallenging festival programming: many of the same bands play the same festivals, and only artists who share a common sound are suitable to share a stage or a festival billing.

“We decided to create JUX to juxtapose bands who are musically diverse; to bring together acts that exist in separate communities, but might share some ethics or philosophies about creating art and producing music.

“Also, the word ‘Jux’ is sometimes used as a slang word meaning to rob or steal! We thought that might serve well as a double meaning - as a cheeky dig at festivals that don’t leave you feeling that they’re worth the ticket price”.

The line-up is indeed one of a diverse range of talent: Acts on the bill include London duo Shift Work, whose dance-inducing, hypnotic, looped vocal oddities and spiralled drum machines are perfect headliner material. Elsewhere on the bill, Makanitza blend Eastern European, Greek and Turkish Roma Gypsy music with a distinctive Leeds accent.

Sheffield’s Blood Sport will also be playing, bringing their relentless guitar noise and ferocious, danceable rhythms to the festival, while Leeds’ own Galaxians will be making an appearance with their classic New York inspired boogie and early 80s electro and synth funk, having previously supported Tom Tom Club and played alongside Golden Teacher and Ultramagnetic MCs.

JUX also negates the usual male dominance of festival line-ups, with acts like Joanne – a Leeds-based live coder and synthesist – and Milk Crimes – an indie pop trio who make noisy and melodic punk songs - being two of the most must-see additions.

Full line-up:

Shift Work

Galaxians

Blood Sport

Cactus Knife

Makanitza

Milk Crimes

Joanne

Yard Wars

Mi Mye

Take Turns

Game_Program

JUX Festival: Saturday February 20, Brudenell Social Club, 2pm til late. Tickets £8 advance, £10 on the door. More details at http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk/whats-on/jux-festival/