The David Young Community Academy saw a first for East Leeds - an evening of music for young people performed by young people.
The event was organised by ELFM (East Leeds FM), a community radio station based in the area, both to showcase young musical talent and prove that East Leeds is a place where live music can happen.
As Adrian Sinclair, of Heads Together Productions, said:
"At ELFM we foster a number of young bands, most of them under 18 years old, and it's really hard for them to get gigs.
"There's a fantastic music scene in Leeds, but people who live in the city don't know about it. This is our first attempt, in a part of the city where there aren't live music venues to show there is great local music that's worth getting out to see."
The gig, featuring bands including Seas of Green and The Scandals, followed a daytime event organised by Space 2. But the focus of the evening was the headline act, Hope and Social.
So what did the youngsters think?
Youngster Eleni Maria Ravanis said:
"I got to the venue as the first band was ending. Music could be heard pumping from inside the David Young Academy. Outside, small clusters of people gathered. I remember grinning at the sight of the golden ELFM Caravan of Love sitting outside the hall. Inside, the atmosphere was mellow, with everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves, but the night was just warming up.
"ELFM's own Next Generation band were amazing. I really was impressed by how accomplished these young musicians were. The drummer Holly Atkinson, only 12 years old, was particularly good. It was refreshing to see a female drummer in a band for a change! And I'll never forget the guitarist Tom who played so hard his finger bled all over the E string. What TALENT!
"Along with the whole room I enjoyed the next set by Seas of Green. In fact I bought their CD afterwards.
"I especially loved the harmonies between Alex and Lucie, who are the main singers. The Scandals were up next and it was amazing to here them playing there own songs and listen to there amazing passion for music.
"They've only been going two years but they have achieved so much in that time. It was amazing to see Oliver, the guitarist, playing as I still remember him from primary school!
"Hope and Social were clearly the highlight of the night. There was plenty of audience participation in the moshpit, with crowd surfing and kazoo playing thrown in for good measure. It was just a roundabout of amazing time. I'll take a lot from that night; new friends and great memories. If there's another gig like it, I'll be there."
'They said it would never work'
Joe Foster said:
"When I was trying to sell tickets, some people simply refused because it was in Seacroft, at the DYCA. They said it would never work. How wrong they were, I thought, as I stood there grinning, waving my phone in the air. Never, as I prepared for the Expression festival, did I think I would end up in a moshpit dressed as the joker with an eleven year old suspended above me crowd surfing. But that's community radio."
Ruby Gaunt added:
"As I was leaving the concert, I heard a lot of young people saying how much they had enjoyed it and how good the young bands were. That to me is what organising a gig like this is all about. People also seemed genuinely interested in ELFM's Next Generation and wanted to know how to get involved."During the gig I loved watching people who were seeing the bands for the first time starting to dance and sing along. Many people have the idea that East Leeds is a dump full of people who have no interest in anything other than hanging around street corners.
"One of my friends expressed her shock at realizing how pleasant the DYCA and its surroundings actually are. I think this event proved that young people in East Leeds are capable of committing to, and organising, something really good. Instead of being brought down by the reputation given to a place by a small group, Expression showed the young people of East Leeds in a different light."
The event was previewed in a guest post by Linda Strudwick here.
Lottie Smith is 15 and at Temple Moor High School in East Leeds. She's part of the ELFM Next Generation squad of young writers and musicians.
