As a member of the Spice Girls in the 1990s, Leeds's Melanie Brown and her four friends spiced up the world and broke countless records in the process. Their 100 million plus records sold made them the best selling girl group of all time and the most successful act since The Beatles.As a member of the Spice Girls in the 1990s, Leeds's Melanie Brown and her four friends spiced up the world and broke countless records in the process. Their 100 million plus records sold made them the best selling girl group of all time and the most successful act since The Beatles.
As a member of the Spice Girls in the 1990s, Leeds's Melanie Brown and her four friends spiced up the world and broke countless records in the process. Their 100 million plus records sold made them the best selling girl group of all time and the most successful act since The Beatles.

The 10 all time biggest selling and most influential music acts from Leeds - from Mel B to Kaiser Chiefs

Leeds has produced an astounding amount of good music over the years.
By Charles Gray
Published 4th Mar 2023, 16:30 BST
Updated 4th Mar 2023, 16:39 BST

A number of acts from the city have achieved global fame and renown, selling millions of albums in the process. The city isn’t just limited to one genre, with seminal acts producing everything from soul, goth rock and post punk to synthpo p.

Here, we look at some of the biggest music acts to have emerged from Leeds over the years, based on record sales and their overall impact.

The Kaiser Chiefs's rambunctious brand of indie rock was a hit with audiences from the get go, with tracks like 'I Predict A Riot' and 'Oh My God' setting the tone before they scored their first number one single with 'Ruby'. The group have sold over 3.5 million records, the most successful of which was their debut, 'Employment'.

1. Kaiser Chiefs

The Kaiser Chiefs's rambunctious brand of indie rock was a hit with audiences from the get go, with tracks like 'I Predict A Riot' and 'Oh My God' setting the tone before they scored their first number one single with 'Ruby'. The group have sold over 3.5 million records, the most successful of which was their debut, 'Employment'. Photo: submit

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After forming while at university in Leeds in 2007, Alt-J went on to have significant critical and commercial success, with their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' taking home the Mercury Music Prize in 2012 and the band having been nominated for numerous Grammy and Brit Awards. According to BestSellingAlbums.org they have sold 1,715,000 albums in total.

2. Alt-J

After forming while at university in Leeds in 2007, Alt-J went on to have significant critical and commercial success, with their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' taking home the Mercury Music Prize in 2012 and the band having been nominated for numerous Grammy and Brit Awards. According to BestSellingAlbums.org they have sold 1,715,000 albums in total. Photo: National World

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Soft Cell were among the frontrunners during the synthpop movement of the 90s and had some of the greatest success, with 12 top 40 hits that includes their iconic cover of 'Tainted Love'. In total they have sold over 10 million records worldwide.

3. Soft Cell

Soft Cell were among the frontrunners during the synthpop movement of the 90s and had some of the greatest success, with 12 top 40 hits that includes their iconic cover of 'Tainted Love'. In total they have sold over 10 million records worldwide. Photo: Press Association Images

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After making a name for themselves on the underground scene through the 1980s for their anarchic, Marxist punk/pop, Chumbawumba went on to have huge commercial success with the release of 1997's 'Tubthumping', which sold nearly 900,000 copies and peaked at number two.

4. Chumbawumba

After making a name for themselves on the underground scene through the 1980s for their anarchic, Marxist punk/pop, Chumbawumba went on to have huge commercial success with the release of 1997's 'Tubthumping', which sold nearly 900,000 copies and peaked at number two. Photo: Fiona Hanson/PA.

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In terms of direct influence, Gang Of Four's influence can't be overstated. The exhilarating energy and, in particular, the choppy guitar lines from Andy Gill on debut album 'Entertainment!' have been cited as a key influence for bands as varied as REM, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana and Bloc Party.

5. Gang of Four

In terms of direct influence, Gang Of Four's influence can't be overstated. The exhilarating energy and, in particular, the choppy guitar lines from Andy Gill on debut album 'Entertainment!' have been cited as a key influence for bands as varied as REM, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana and Bloc Party. Photo: contributed

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Starting as a punk-inspired collective of art students and squatters from Leeds, Scritti Politti went on to land chart success both locally and over in the United States with the synth-pop classic Cupid & Psyche 85, which spawned three Top 20 hits.

6. Scritti Politti

Starting as a punk-inspired collective of art students and squatters from Leeds, Scritti Politti went on to land chart success both locally and over in the United States with the synth-pop classic Cupid & Psyche 85, which spawned three Top 20 hits. Photo: email

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