Prepare for an unforgettable night of live music as the Kirklees Most Wanted Showcase lights up The Northern Quarter in Huddersfield on January 10th. This eagerly awaited event will spotlight an amazing lineup of homegrown talent, offering a dynamic mix of genres and an electrifying atmosphere for music fans.
Joining us on stage are 4 exceptional acts, each bringing their own unique flair;
Rillington Place
Rillington Place is an alternative metal band that has been featured on the Kirklees Most Wanted playlist with their track “Lament.” The band’s name is inspired by the notorious street where Jack the Ripper committed his crimes, following a similar naming convention to a band they admire, Whitechapel. Their focus is on creating new music, with an EP expected after their next single, and they are active in the live circuit, including a headline show at Parish’s new space, Amped! in Huddersfield.
Eskar & Micky Swags
Eskar is an impactful, fiercely independent hip-hop artist, songwriter, and label owner (Nuke Fam Records) from Huddersfield, UK. Known for his dense lyricism and genre versatility, Eskar is a prominent figure in the UK underground rap scene and was featured on the Kirklees Most Wanted playlist with his track “Kaiju.” In 2024, he released the widely acclaimed album Thy Flesh Consumed, which featured powerful collaborations with artists like Celph Titled, Tonedeff, and his frequent partner Micky Swags. The album also contained the track “116 123,” a vital song promoting a mental health message by sampling the last voice notes of a friend.
Leo Brazil
Before you ask, it’s not a stage name! Leo Brazil has been writing and recording his own music since he was a child singing into a tape machine. As well as drawing on his love for classic pop, rock and roll and soul, Leo draws inspiration from animals with songs that connect personal emotions and experiences with stories from the natural world.
Leo works out of his home studio and is developing a unique and colourful evolution of sound that mixes acoustic, folk, rock and psychedelia.
Leo is a multi-instrumentalist and in the studio plays keyboards, drums and violin. Live he mostly sticks to guitars and banjo where he draws on his big repertoire of self penned songs, equally comfortable with low key acoustic ballads or foot stomping energetic numbers.
Sophie & Songs
Sophie & Songs is an independent singer/songwriter who focuses on folk music and is currently studying music in Leeds. She uses writing and performing for self-expression and self-knowledge. Her songs, such as “Denial” and “Love Betrayed Me,” are described as hauntingly beautiful folk tracks featuring mesmerising acoustic guitar and stirring harmonies, appealing to listeners with their stripped-back, authentic, and vulnerable style.
Fiesta La Ginger
Throughout the night, there will be DJ sets from Fiesta La Ginger, opening up the event and filling the spaces between the live acts and keeping the energy high.
Don’t miss this extraordinary night of music and discovery.
The Kirklees Most Wanted Showcase is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of the thriving music scene in Kirklees. By providing a platform for local artists to shine, this event highlights the incredible talent within the community and offers audiences the chance to discover their next favorite act.
Don’t miss this extraordinary night of music and discovery.
Chaos! I released my second album, “He Called Hex”, at the start of the year, and that whole thing feels like an entire lifetime ago. Since then I’ve pretty much been juggling working on this new album on and off with many, many, Uni deadlines, as I’m just now going into my final year as a music student. I’ve also taken on some of my first soundtracking jobs, been playing in our band Nuclear Fishing, produced some songs for other artists and, in my few minutes of non-musical spare time, have recently been getting into watching anime for the first time. So musically speaking it’s been a lot, and that’s not even counting keeping my own personal life in order! But I’m at a point now where I’m absolutely on fire with making and promoting my music and am just so excited to put all this stuff I’ve been working on out into the world.
How did you first get into music?
I had piano lessons from a pretty young age, which gave me the majority of my background in theory – however, I never really had too much knowledge or interest in producing my own music as a whole until the 2020 pandemic hit, and I was trapped inside with nothing better to do. A friend and I wanted to make some crappy Soundcloud rap as a joke, so I downloaded initially Audacity and later FL Studio to help facilitate this, essentially teaching myself how to make trap through YouTube tutorials. As time went on and I got more to grips with the ins and outs of actually producing music I started to realise I could try and develop a sound of my own, and eventually picked up the guitar and started writing more demos. Probably my first fully realised song using my voice didn’t come until “Weightless” (featured on my first album) in 2023, at which point I knew it was something I wanted to embrace.
What was the process for creating your sound?
So building on that a lot of my early works spawn from a weird cross section of influences – my piano writing, which leaned more classical and soundtrack-music inspired, my production skills which leaned more towards modern hip-hop and my songwriting itself which gravitated towards emo and other left-field online singer songwriter-y stuff. On my first album you can hear all those sounds kind of thrown at a wall at random since, while I’m still really proud of that record, I’ll admit I didn’t exactly know what I was doing! At this point, the influence of a lot of fifth wave emo and similarly online rock and shoegaze began to take ahold of me, and you can hear me trying to emulate these very noisy and chaotic mixes. Only on my more recent material, like on Hex, have I been able to wield these influences with a bit more intent. It’s also helped that I’ve spent a lot of time improving my skills on guitar and finding tones and mixing techniques that I like for the instrument – although, I should say, my next album maybe strays away from the guitar a bit more than the last couple and veers back towards the piano, so to an extent it’s like I’ve come full circle.
Who was your biggest inspiration?
Honestly, it changes every month, but I think the artist who really inspired me and pushed me to start writing songs for myself was Parannoul. I massively admire how his early albums were somehow made entirely in the box, with his vocals recorded on an old Samsung phone, and yet it’s some of the most emotionally raw and compelling shoegaze music out there. I know I’m not alone in taking influence from him, but the fact he was able to make such a resonant record on such a shoestring budget is a testament to how far music production has come in the digital age, and really convinced me that maybe I can do it too. I have so many online generation artists to thank for this kind of inspiration; Asian Glow, what is your name?, acloudyskye, Vylet Pony, even P.Rosa who I collaborated with on my last album – there’s an incredible wave of creatives who started out as just kids writing songs in their bedrooms and again it’s impossible to hear some of this music and not be desperate to write your own.
Which song best represents you musically to date?
Maybe “Softly, Softly”, one of the non-album singles I put out during the summer – I think it’s maybe one of my most direct songs, but it encapsulates a little bit of everything that I’d done up until that point. It’s got a dark and gloomy atmosphere, some super noisy yet blissful guitars, tortured vocals and lyrics and even some of the weird left-field electronics, all packaged into a little bundle under 3 minutes.
Which song has been the easiest / hardest to write?
There’s a song on my next album called “Ever Turning Field” which is by far the hardest song I’ve ever had to put together for a number of reasons; not just because it’s 8 minutes long or so but also because it’s a massive dirge of emotions that I still haven’t quite managed to wrap my finger around. It’s the one time in my career so far where I’ve put together a song that’s larger than life – it feels like I’m trying to confront something unknowable throughout that song, which I hope will make sense within the context of the record when it eventually comes out.
Which song is “the one” that turns listeners into fans?
I’d like to think my new song “I’ll Be There”! Maybe it’s recency bias, but I feel like people who might have been curious about or enjoyed elements of my music in the past, maybe even people who didn’t like my last album, can hear it and get the impression that this is Kit Le Bihan 2.0 so to speak, and that now’s the time to really start taking note of my music. It’s why I think it’s a perfect single – it’s got elements of my first 2 albums, but a new layer of tenderness and clarity that I think maybe they lacked at points.
Do you have any favourite quotes/sayings?
“…even if something is a lie, even if it’s fiction… If it has the power to change the world, then it must contain some kind of truth. Aren’t we proof of that?” – Shuichi Saihara
What does the future of “Kit Le Bihan” look like?
Aside from my own university deadlines, I’m currently hard at work putting the finishing touches on my next album, which will come out in 2026. I started writing it sometime towards the end of 2024, and had envisioned it to be my “rock” album, but as time went on it actually ended up being my most electronic and piano-leaning album yet! I feel like every record is a bit of a left turn for me, but all I want to say is be prepared for something different, something more gentle and yet more emotionally intense, something brighter and yet more heartbreaking. Oh, and some more weird genre combinations – there’s bits of synthpop, EDM, indie rock, folk, even a bit of glam. I’m also really hoping to play some more live shows – I did one which was streamed live on the Live forever twitch and had such a great time doing it, so I really think I’d like to try and carve some opportunities to play my songs a bit more in the live space in person.
What are your next steps to get there?
Lots of work and promotion! It’s no secret that it’s always gonna be hard to carve out a niche for yourself as an indie artist, but I really think I can build on the steady growth I’ve had this year and do something really special in 2026.
The First Ones are made up of brothers Doug and Dan, along with their lifelong friend Will, who have been writing together for six years. As a band, they’re known for their blend of pacy metal, catchy riffs, and melodic harmonies, creating a sound that’s both intense and memorable. Their dark, prog-inspired energy has a way of drawing listeners in, leaving them mesmerised and always wanting more.
Reverie is an alternative rock track that explores the delicate tension between reality and illusion, capturing the feeling of drifting in and out of clarity as the mind wanders between what’s real and what’s imagined. The lyrics describe how it can be hard to escape your own mind at times, and how we sometimes need support from others to help us face those inner struggles. The result is a track that feels emotionally honest while still carrying the band’s signature power and atmosphere.
Huddersfield-based rock band Knuckle are a perfect example of the kind of talent that thrives in West Yorkshire. Known for their raw energy and sharp sense of humour, they bring a refreshing edge to the local music scene. Their track “Sick at the Fair” is a punchy punk anthem that blends witty, comedic lyrics with tight, hard-hitting rock instrumentation. The song tells the story of a date at the fair gone hilariously wrong, capturing the awkwardness, chaos, and unpredictability of modern dating.
Through its vivid storytelling, the track paints a clear and relatable picture of what it feels like to navigate romance today, complete with miscommunication, unexpected mishaps, and the kind of embarrassing moments you can laugh about later. The driving guitars and upbeat tempo give the song a lively momentum, while the playful lyrics add a sense of novelty that sets Knuckle apart. By the time the chorus hits, you’re left both headbanging and grinning, fully caught up in the band’s unique mix of humour, honesty, and punk-rock charm.
SAMH are a Huddersfield-based act founded by singer-songwriter Sam Hodgson. Their unique sound is characterised by “Organic lyrics with trance-like repetitive rhythms and psychedelic overtones,” described as feeling like a “lucid dream,” and drawing influences from artists like Pink Floyd and Radiohead. Samh has built a cult-like following through notable performances at festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and Tramlines, while garnering radio support from BBC 6 and Radio X.
“Animal” by SAMH mixes folk, singer-songwriter, and psychedelic sounds to create a raw, energetic track. It’s driven by steady, repetitive guitar parts, while the rough, natural vocals make the song feel personal and honest. The melody is easy to follow and sticks with you, letting the message take all the attention. As the song goes on, the rhythms become stronger and more intense, giving it a lively energy. Overall, the musical style of “Animal” blends simple folk ideas with emotional vocals and powerful lyrics to create an engaging and impactful song. The theme of the song surrounds humanity and how self-obsession & materialism counteract the basics of humanity and human values.
After gigging up and down the country, Simon Walker eventually caught the attention of major artist Yungblud, earning himself a coveted spot at the UK festival Bludfest. This breakthrough marks a significant moment in Walker’s growing career, bringing his music to a much wider audience and cementing his reputation as an emerging talent to watch. With a track as striking as In Your Eyes, it’s no surprise he’s stepped into the spotlight.
The song carries an uplifting, inspirational message, encouraging listeners to embrace who they are without apology. Walker reminds his audience that individuality is something to celebrate and that choosing to be different is a strength rather than something to hide. Rooted in the indie-pop genre, the bright, melodic production and shimmering instrumentation perfectly complement the track’s hopeful spirit.
The standout lyric “be who you want to be” reflects Walker’s dedication to creating music that spreads positivity and reassurance. His ability to blend meaningful themes with catchy, accessible songwriting allows In Your Eyes to resonate deeply with listeners, offering both comfort and motivation. It’s this combination of authenticity, emotional honesty, and musical charm that continues to fuel his rise in the UK music scene.
Originating from Holmfirth, Yorkshire, The Laikers are an upbeat indie-pop band renowned for their lively performances and distinctive sound. They not only play great covers but also write their own music that really shows who they are as a band. Their new track, “Faker,” focuses on the idea of being let down by celebrities who pretend to be something they’re not. It’s a song about betrayal, disappointment, and trying to figure out who you can actually trust.
The track leans into an indie-rock style, built around a strong, catchy guitar riff and powerful vocals that give the song a real sense of impact. The energetic drums and clear production help the track feel bold and direct, matching the message of the lyrics. Overall, “Faker” shows how The Laikers can mix meaningful themes with a punchy, enjoyable sound that sticks with you.
“The DF” by Dean Antoniis a thoughtful and emotionally resonant track that blends introspection with a gentle sense of movement. Rooted in a modern singer-songwriter style, the instrumentation creates a warm and steady backdrop for the story being told. Soft guitar or piano lines sit beneath subtle atmospheric layers, giving the song an open, spacious feel that allows the emotion to come through clearly without ever becoming overwhelming.
The lyrics focus on recovery from addiction, adding even more depth to the track. Antoni’s vocal delivery carries a sense of vulnerability and honesty, as if he’s working through the lingering weight of past struggles. There’s a bittersweet tone in his voice—reflecting the pain of what he’s been through, but also the cautious hope of moving forward. The pacing is unhurried, allowing each line to settle and providing space for the emotional gravity of the subject matter. Subtle harmonies and gentle rises in the arrangement highlight moments of reflection, strength, and uncertainty. The track ultimately feels like a quiet statement of resilience. It captures the complicated process of healing—acknowledging the darkness while still choosing to grow beyond it.
The lyrics focus on recovery from addiction, adding even more depth to the track. Antoni’s vocal delivery carries a sense of vulnerability and honesty, as if he’s working through the lingering weight of past struggles. There’s a bittersweet tone in his voice—reflecting the pain of what he’s been through, but also the cautious hope of moving forward. The pacing is unhurried, allowing each line to settle and providing space for the emotional gravity of the subject matter. Subtle harmonies and gentle rises in the arrangement highlight moments of reflection, strength, and uncertainty. The track ultimately feels like a quiet statement of resilience. It captures the complicated process of healing—acknowledging the darkness while still choosing to grow beyond it.
Carol not only plays in many other bands but tours solo with just her and her piano (a powerhouse duet). Carol was born with only seven fingers and yet defies all with her empowering music. Alongside her band, they write songs that tackle challenging topics like mental health. The Carol Hodge Band are a joyous and feisty Alternative Rock four piece (drums, bass, guitar, keys), who were recently described by Classic Rock magazine as “”combin(ing) fat, fuzzy guitar grooves with splashes of synths…clever proggy pop rock bursts and almost Alice In Chains-y shadows…eccentric and unpredictable, in a way that feels totally natural.”” They are confirmed for quite a few festivals in 2026, including: Bearded Theory, Rebellion Punk Festival, Ey Up Mi Duck and Nah Then.
Their song ‘Small Crumbs’ is about not accepting the crumbs of life and searching for the self-confidence to expect more. Thick, heavy bass opening sets the vibe for the track from the very first note. As well as this, the strong female vocals are empowering to the listeners and emphasise the theme of the track beautifully. The lyricism uses metaphors to inspire their listeners not to accept less than they are worth.
How did you get into making music? – What started it all for you?
I naturally learnt to play drums when I was in year 7, and that just developed. When I was about 12/13, I massively got into the Beatles. I had a few downloaded songs on my old phone, such as Hey Jude and the No.1 album. When I was 14 (2017), my dad had an old Casio digital piano and an old Beatles songbook, which had the music of the Beatles in it. I remember trying to play Hey Jude and individually studying the notes with my dad just to get the first “hey Jude” and the F chord. For the amount of work it took, it wasn’t worth it. For weeks after, I kept playing little bits of notes and coming up with tunes and melodies. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. I never had any piano lessons, as I couldn’t afford them and learning to read music when I had already taught myself my own way just didn’t sit right with me. Eventually, these melodies I came up with developed into more complex note patterns, which were basically chords. I then remember googling the notes of C major and minor, etc., as I did music GCSE, I wasn’t completely unaware of this. I realised that a C major chord is the same as all other major chords and minor chords, whichever note they are. What I’d do is study how many notes are between each played note there are and apply it to any note on the keyboard. Eventually, I learned all chords, and then around 2019, I started to get better at writing tunes. Ever since, I have written full-blown songs and just kept practising and perfecting them constantly. Just having a pure love and a near-obsession with music made me constantly play and sing stuff which became songs.
What does your songwriting process look like?
I pretty much always start with the music. This involves just playing random chord patterns on the piano, which is usually GarageBand on my iPhone when I’m out and about, and on my piano at home and sometimes on my guitar, which I also taught myself. This involves playing chords and just whistling tunes; it’s all subconscious. I just whistle whatever comes out; I never really think about it, just whatever comes naturally to me. A lot of the time, instead of whistling, I’ll just sing random lyrics, and if I like them or they stick, I’ll keep them. Lyrics have never been my strong point, and so they sometimes require more conscious work. To be honest, playing my keyboard is also slightly subconscious; I sort of just think, “What will happen if I play this and then go there after?” Whenever I write a song, it’s all experimental- it’s just trying stuff out, just hearing and feeling how it sounds and if I like it. The whole process of writing music for me is a feeling. If it feels good and sounds good, it’s good. I do have a reasonably good self-taught understanding of music theory, but I never think “I need to follow it”. Just like, for example, how Card Factory starts in F major and modulates to G major for the “Card Factory” lyric and the rest of the song, almost adding excitement to being in a card shop. I think you do need an understanding of music theory and how keys relate to each other though, or else songs can just be bland. If a painter wants to be truly creative, they need to have a very full palette of colours. It’s the same way, I believe you do need a musical understanding because it does help you write. After crafting the music, which is the chords and melody and sometimes lyrics, I’ll then tweak and adjust, change and usually need to add more lyrics.
Who are your main influences?
I was brought up on The Beatles from both sides of my family, and I have a fond memory of my grandad and me singing along to them. They got me into playing the piano and guitar, and music in general was fully opened up to me because of the Beatles. After that, I massively got into the Beach Boys (mainly Brian Wilson) and the Pet Sounds album, which boosted my songwriting inspiration from coming up with some cool tunes on the piano to writing and producing proper songs. My dad has always been into Mozart, and only in the last year or so have I actually become massively into Mozart’s music. Another massive influence is Mac DeMarco, who I discovered in 2020 and whom I recently saw in one of his concerts in Manchester.
How would you describe your song ‘Card Factory?
I was in Card Factory around August 2024 with my girlfriend Kate. We were in there for a good 15 minutes while she was looking for a card for someone, and I got my GarageBand keyboard out on my phone and just started playing chords and singing as I was getting bored. The lyrics and chords and tune literally came all at once. I hadn’t even thought about it. I just started playing and singing, and the whole song came out straight away. At first, I was laughing at the spontaneity of it and playing it to Kate, who was getting embarrassed about me singing a cheesy song about the Card factory while in the card factory next to her. It was a very funny and fun experience. When I later recorded and produced the song at home, I hadn’t really changed anything; it was basically a copy of what I had just come up with while out and about in the card factory. It’s not really about anything apart from literally being in a card shop. It’s a very laid-back and obviously un-serious track.
Is there an album in the making that we can look forward to? If so, what’s the vibe?
I spend most of my time working on projects with my songwriting ‘partner’ and best mate, Jack. Our duo is called ValleyBoy and is totally separate from my own solo work. We’ve finished an EP that will be out soon, with proper artwork called ‘This Little Town’. It’s a very serious piece of work and at the moment is my main focus. It’s set around the decline of Northern towns and industry and is quite political and socially focused. I don’t know what you’d call the genre though. I’d link it in a category similar to what Pink Floyd, Bowie, and slightly, the Beatles are in, maybe? I’m not sure, though. We’re also looking for band members to join ValleyBoy who can play with us live, as we haven’t even done any gigs yet or anything aside from a few open mics at Northern Quarter. Aside from this, I do continue to write my own solo work as well and may potentially be releasing an album of mostly done material, but it probs won’t be for ages. I don’t know when the time is right, even though it’s basically almost done.
What’s next for you?
My girlfriend Kate has nearly finished a lovely and extremely creative animated music video for Card Factory, which she has drawn and used stop motion for. We just need to finish the last few seconds of it, so that should be out very soon. I hope also to soon be performing with a full band for ValleyBoy and have the EP released, and hopefully it’s well-received and known about. I will also keep releasing stuff under my own name.
