LEON O’LEARY

Competing up against 543 up and coming artists to secure a slot on the Lakefest Main Stage alongside Gaz Coombes and Johnny Marr, Suffolk singer songwriter Leon O’Leary firmly secured his place in the grand final. The final, which took place last month at Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter saw the winners of the three regional semi finals come together for the ultimate battle of the bands. On the day, Leon O’Leary faced competition from WALLS, BARSTAFF, Laurie Wright, The Chase, Jordan Hemingway, Kisskie, Morning Tourist and eventual Amped Competition winners Two Pounds Down. Despite not collecting the grand prize, Leon O’Leary will make his Lakefest debut on the festivals AMPED! stage this weekend.

Inspired by the idyllic natural space he grew around in his endemic home of Suffolk, Leon O’Leary is gifted with an incredible songwriting skill and delivery comparable to the likes of James Bay or Ben Howard. For Leon, music is a family affair and tours with his talented guitarist sister Issy who completes the artists stage enchantment. With prominent BBC Introducing radio play and a track of the week credit from Latitude Festival with 2021’s Stray Dogs, Leon is catching all the right ears. An impressive young artist beyond his years, Leon O’Leary is a talent worth following. Check out what he had to say about making it all the way down to the AMPED! Competition grand finale.

Describe your sound in three words?

Ethereal, Moody, Rock

Congratulations making it all the way to the Amped final last weekend! How did it feel to get down to the final 10 out of over 500 artists?

We felt super lucky, even just being picked to play the semi final was amazing in itself, so to play the final was truly an honour. Remember feeling the most buzzed I had ever felt in a long time winning our heat in London. Definitely felt a bit of Imposter Syndrome watching all the other bands as everyone was so awesome!

The completion was strong, did you have a favourite to win (from final or semi finals?)

In our semi final, I really liked Nadia Sheikh’s set as I love that style of songwriting and sound. Thought she had a great voice. For the final though, me and my sister had our bets on Jordan Hemingway winning 100% so – in a nice way – they were like our target to reach in terms of how we performed. I’ve become a fan of his music for sure. Ryan – the animal on the drums – had his bets on Morning Tourist as he thought that they had a great sound, which they totally did. Special mention to Laurie Wright cause they were with no shadow of a doubt super tight. Him and his band sounded rocking.

As with all Amped finalists and semi finalists, you will still play this year’s festival on the dedicated Amped stage. What can festival goers expect from your Lakefest set?

Tricky question haha. First thing I’ll say is if you like War On Drugs, Ben Howard, Sam Fender, James Bay, Kings of Leon, that kinda thing then you should come on down. Just expect a rollercoaster of energy and mood and a show where we pull every card we’ve got under our sleeves.

Who are you hoping to watch at Lakefest?

Don’t want to sound like a total fanboy but gonna have to mention Jordan Hemingway again. Hoping to catch their set. Would love to have a few drinks and just move around to Kisskie’s set as they really brung the party in the final. Would love to see all the bands actually, just depends what time and day they’re on as we’re a far far way from Lakefest haha.

If you had won, what would you have the £5K prize been put towards?

Well with my 1/3 of the prize I would have spent money mainly on a car so I can get driving as I rely on my Dad and my mates too much to get around (special shoutout to the legend Mati for driving us up to Cheltenham and back). With the money leftover, I would’ve put it towards the promotion for an EP I’ve just finished which is yet to be released so stay tuned for that haha. Issy said she’d put her share into driving lessons for the same reasons as me and I remember asking Ryan this question and he said he’d buy a new car. So yeah, a lot of driving stuff haha. All important though for getting to gigs and stuff. Been many times I’ve had to cancel things cause of not being able to get a lift.

What else do you have planned this year that you would like to share with our readers?

I’m currently in the middle of all the planning and strategy behind my debut EP I’ve just finished which I’m hoping to release in late Autumn. I think it’s my best work yet and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to. We also have a couple of gigs coming up that are gonna be awesome so if you’re down in East Anglia definitely come along.

Finally, if we see you at the bar what are you having??

Hmmm, I ain’t fussy when it comes to alcohol haha but if you see me I’ll probably be having a Guinness or rum and coke.