The lads from Leeds – Sam, Ryan, Jay and James, aka Yard Act – have been ranked as the most-booked new act across European festivals this summer.
That’s according to the annual survey from the European talent exchange programme, ESNS Exchange. Yard Act have come out on top with 11 bookings at ESNS Exchange-affiliated festivals in 2022, ahead of Ukrainian rapper Alyona Alyona (8), Priya Ragu (8) and fan favourite Wet Leg (8).
Other emerging British acts, Holly Humberstone and Mimi Webb are also in the top ten. The full rankings is as follows:
11 – Yard Act (GB)
8 – Alyona Alyona (UA)
8 – Priya Ragu (CH)
8 – Wet Leg (GB)
7 – CMAT (IE)
6 – Enola Gay (IE)
6 – Holly Humberstone (GB)
6 – Mesterem Mees – (BE)
6 – Mimi Webb (GB)
6 – Mezerg (FR)
If you’ve seen them live, you’ll understand why they’ve picked up such a buzz for their live performances. Frontman James Smith matches his moody, at-times poetic lyrics with witty interludes in-between.
They’re politically charged in a way that chimes with many festival audiences. If you’re angry about the current state of affairs – and there’s plenty of reasons to be – their shows offer the much-needed catharsis, even if it lasts for only a couple of hours.
Yard Act are set to headline Left Field stage at Glastonbury next week – the stage which is celebrating 20 Years of Pop and Politics and will host a mixture of music and live debate. The perfect stage for Yard Act, therefore.
Their Glasto show is in the middle of their biggest tour to date, which runs through to September. All hail, the European champions of live performance.
