The North are a Leeds indie-rock four-piece fronted by Billy Memphis. Formed in 2025, the band have quickly emerged from the city’s live-music scene, earning attention for their high-energy, heart-on-sleeve shows and signing to Communion Records.
There was a properly British feel to the set: rough around the edges in the best possible way, unafraid to push vocals and instruments beyond neat, polished lines. The band’s willingness to occasionally go off-key added to the urgency rather than detracting from it, creating a performance that felt lived-in and authentic.
The North moved effectively between slower, more reflective material and bursts of high-energy indie rock, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The changes in pace gave the set emotional range, with more conscious, feeling-led moments sitting alongside songs designed to get the crowd moving.
Crucially, the band avoided relying too heavily on familiar genre tropes. Their music carried the swagger and grit expected of a British guitar band, but there was enough sincerity and purpose in the delivery to make it feel more than simply another indie revival act.
The frontman may carry a resemblance to a Gallagher brother, but his stage presence and vocal control recalled Sam Fender more closely: confident, commanding and capable of giving the songs real emotional weight.
He worked the crowd well, helping to create a strong atmosphere at The Canopy, while the rest of the group matched that energy. There was a clear sense of unity on stage — the members appeared locked into the same rhythm and purpose, playing as one rather than as a collection of individual performers.
The North’s Reading Festival set had the rawness, swagger and emotional conviction of a band with a clear identity.
They play as one, merge as one and become one. That is The North and if they continue down this path they will go far.