Submotion Orchestra Comes Home to Leeds for The Wardrobe’s 20th Anniversary

You’d be hard-pressed to find an institution built for all that is music like The Wardrobe in Leeds. Since opening its doors in 1999, The Wardrobe has become the mecca for music tucked away in the heart of Leeds’s art district. During its 20 years of existence, The Wardrobe has played host to the biggest stars in the world during their mostly humble beginnings. The likes of Amy Winehouse, George Ezra, and Catfish and the Bottlemen have all cut their teeth on the stage of the iconic club when they were all but at the precipice of fame. Residencies from world-famous DJs such as Trevor Nelson and Craig Charles have also entrenched The Wardrobe as one of the most important locations in the UK club scene, only adding to the iconic venue’s long and storied history.

2019 marks two decades of The Wardrobe’s existence. With it came a homecoming fit for this momentous occasion. Submotion Orchestra are considered one of the most significant additions to the Leeds music scene in recent memory. The band, who have played The Wardrobe various times through the years, return after having played festivals all across the globe.

Submotion Orchestra’s 7-piece band is made up of Ruby Wood, Bobby Beddoe, Taz Modi, Chris Hargreaves, Tommy Evans, Danny Templeman, and Ruckspin and they’re all set to play at The Wardrobe as part of its celebration for its 20 years of existence.

The band’s latest album Kites is a cult favorite among music enthusiasts the world over. While typically classified as electronic dance music, a sentiment enforced by collaborations with London electronic duo Equals, this is simply an oversimplification of what Submotion Orchestra is. Their sound can be described as a mix of funk, dub, a good dose of drums and bass along with a healthy smattering of jazz. Their sound is explained by their notoriously intricate stage set up as the band employs the use of a multitude of instruments and effects. Not surprisingly, bassist Chris Hargreaves makes heavy use of the versatile Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler, a single pedal with seven footswitches, over 75 effects, and the ability to use three of those effects simultaneously. Of course, it’s not the only stompbox in Hargreaves’ rig, but it’s likely the most vital for someone who conducts this dubstep orchestra. And while this may seem excessive, all will be explained once you hear the band play as it is truly like no other experience in the world.

With two decades of music, art, and culture to honor, the celebration simply couldn’t be limited to just one night. The Wardrobe held a week-long celebration from September 20th to the 28th featuring performances from Lamar Williams Jr and The Dig Family, Craig Charles, and an Amy Winehouse tribute in the form of the Amy Winehouse Experience aka Lioness.

The week long celebration was one for the ages and we wouldn’t be surprised if The Wardrobe sticks around for another 20 years considering how strong the Leeds music scene has become.