The Kaiser Chiefs were amongst the audience as Leeds Music Trust opened its new extension to the Old Chapel rehearsal studios in Holbeck on Friday (31 January 2014).
The Old Chapel, on Czar Street in Holbeck, has a long history of supporting young bands and the Kaiser Chiefs wrote their first two albums there. Since then they have been great supporters of the Leeds Music Trust project which will develop musical education and skills and provide a service to musicians and local communities.
Whilst some bands will achieve great success, Mark Hubbard, manager at The Old Chapel, stressed the work they do to help bands get started. He talked about a quiet young man with learning difficulties who plays with the band The Outsiders. Having not said a word during months of rehearsals he came to front of the stage at their first gig and took the lead.
“That’s a magic moment for me” said Mark.
Also present was Melvyn Benn from Festival Republic, the organisation behind the Leeds & Reading Festivals amongst others. He spoke about the importance of The Old Chapel in the Leeds music scene and how he would be supporting the Leeds Music Trust in the future.
Then the five original members of the Kaiser Chiefs were encouraged to say a few words.
“We came to the Old Chapel because we were told they had a sofa and a vending machine” quipped Ricky Wilson “but there wasn’t a sofa.”
Nick Hodgson thanked the staff for their support and said that if Mark didn’t like a song they were rehearsing then they dropped it.
The Leeds Music Trust has been supported financially by Kaiser Chiefs, Jimbo’s Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation and Leeds Community Foundation.
Would have been nice for them to call into South Leeds Community Radio Station too x