Caribou Shine Despite Leeds Festival Sound Issues

Canada's Caribou overcame initial sound problems to triumph on Leeds Festival's Festival Republic stage on Saturday.

The four-piece in fact surprised audience members, sound and light engineers by starting five minutes early, diving straight into 'Leave House' -- the first of a set list drawn entirely from this year's 'Swim' LP. It was when following up with 'Kaili' though some of the crowd began shouting for the sound to be turned up, the group battling with a chattering throng who were still only just realising they'd started playing.

Thankfully, volume was eventually increased and Caribou excelled during the rest of the 40-minute set. Their creative catalyst Dan Snaith was in typically shy mood throughout, saying little between songs. He also mainly stuck to playing keyboards and synthesizers -- although alternating vocals with his bassist -- thanks to nhe set featuring only 'Swim''s nocturnal electronica.

Unsurprisingly 'Odessa' found the most recognition, its murky bass line setting feet behind the crowd barrier in motion, but strongest track of the night was 'Bowls.' Stretched out beyond its six-minute studio glory and injected with increased low-end frequency, it was a blossoming benchmark to which they couldn't quite replicate thereafter, in spite of a hypnotic 'Sun' finishing the performance.