Leeds Festival 2024: Live as first acts appear on stage and excitement builds after Storm Lilian causes chaos
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Excitement is continuing to build at Bramham Park ahead of headliner Liam Gallagher’s performance this evening.
It comes after heavy winds hit the festival site this morning, overturning tents and portaloos, with barriers blown over.
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Organisers had to close three of the main stages to the disappointment of fans, as big-name acts including Skrillex and Beabadoobee were cancelled.
Liam Gallagher is set to close out the first day with a headline set on the main stage this evening.
Live updates from the Friday of Leeds Festival 2024
Key Events
Wind safety warning from organisers
Organisers have issued a safety warning as strong winds batter campers at Bramham Park.
They said: “We’re urging you to stay in your tents if you are onsite and feel safe to do so.
“If you are in your car, please remain there.
“If you are not yet at the festival site, please delay your arrival. We’re expecting it to ease up at 10am and we will update you in 30 minutes.”
Full Friday forecast during Storm Lilian
The YEP has published a full weather forecast for today - as warnings are in place for wind during Storm Lilian.
'Like a warzone'
Our reporter Dennis Morton, who arrived at Bramham Park last night, said it was like waking up to a ‘warzone’ this morning. He said that tents and poles had fallen down and sent the below picture:
Campsite placed under 'strict lockdown'
Our reporter on site was told by a member of security that “the entire site is on strict lockdown”.
They were told: “There is no re-entry to any campsite except the guest camp.”
“We recommend no movement and that you stay in your tent.”
'Wall is pinned down'
The wall around the guest camping area has fallen down and work is now ongoing to try and rebuild it. Our reporter on site has sent the below pictures:
'Wind picking up again'
Our reporter on site, Dennis Morton, has said that heavy winds have begun picking up again.
Fencing and portaloos down
Fencing and portaloos around the site have been knocked over.
Tents blown over
Some punters have quite a job on their hands getting their camp back in shape after tents were knocked over this morning.
Two stages closed
Leeds Festival has announced that the BBC Radio 1 and Aux stages will be closed today as a result of the devastation caused by Storm Lilian.
Disruption on site
X, formerly Twitter, has been awash with photos and videos from revellers of the disruption caused this morning.
Pictures from the site
We’ve collated a gallery of pictures showcasing the level of disruption on site.
Attendee having 'worst day ever'
One attendee said she was experiencing the “worst day ever” as her tent has been destroyed and her group have been asked to leave their area because the windy conditions are “really bad”.
Carrie Gill, 19, told the PA news agency that “basically our whole tent is gone” and she has spent £60 on a new tipi tent, which she has not been able to erect yet because of the weather.
The university student said: “All the rain came in because the poles pulled so hard from the wind the fabric ripped open and leaked the whole tent with the rain. We even put those rock plastic pegs in the bottom and they have snapped.
“We aren’t allowed back into the area for hours, all our stuff is in our mates’ tent, phones on 30%. All the stores have blown over, the urinal walls are gone and lads are just pissing against fences, people’s tents are in the sky, the store shops are all over the floor and shirts and things from stores are gone. It’s honestly really bad here.”
She is waiting in a McDonald’s and will be waiting there “for a while it looks like,” adding that “it’s the worst day ever” and if her new tipi “doesn’t last”, she will be forced to return home.
“As you can imagine being a student, it’s quite an expensive festival to be going to and to be let down like this,” she added.
Update issued for those traveling by bus
The festival organisers have released the below statement for those travelling from Leeds city centre by bus:
Campers are "gripping onto tents" as windy weather continues
A Leeds Festival attendee said he is gripping his tent to prevent it from blowing away and saw the perimeter wall fall on empty tents and smash a van window.
Dylan Maggs, 26, told the PA news agency that he saw that “many people unpoled and flattened their tents around 7am”, and his group have “been waiting for it to pass”.
“We’re currently sitting on our tents so they don’t fly away,” he said. “Practically all of us are gripping onto our tents, and there’s six of us.”
His group was “right next” to the perimeter fence when it came down, saying: “It looks worse than it was for sure – no-one was inside of the tents when it came down. A fence also took out a van’s window.
“We’re just laughing through it, not much else we can do really, it’s annoying but it is what it is. We’ve seen a lot of people ditch tents and leave.”
Set cancelled as band puts 'safety of fans' first
Indie-pop quartet Corella has announced the band will not be playing as a result of the adverse weather. The band was due on the main stage at 12.40pm.
In a video posted on X, frontman Joel said: “Unfortunately, I have some bad news that we're not going to be playing Leeds Fest today.
“The weather isn't on our side and the safety of our fans comes first. We are absolutely gutted.
“To play the main stage at Leeds was a dream, but we will be back and keep our heads held high. We're sorry to everyone who was going to come down and watch us today. We are absolutely gutted, but we will see you soon.”
Update on arena opening - as first act confirmed
In an update shared on Leeds Festival's X account, organisers conceded it has been a "tough morning", but that the arena is expected to open between 1.45pm and 2pm.
It was also confirmed that American singer-songwriter Reneé Rapp is expected to be the first act on the main stage at 3.10pm.
The BBC Radio 1 and Aux stage will remain closed. Organisers thanked festival-goers for their patience.
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