Words: Michelle Corns
Photos: Jacqui Chapman
Three iconic bands bring dark energy and packed crowds to The Old Woollen for a daytime celebration of West Yorkshire’s alternative scene.
Whilst most people were happily demolishing chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday afternoon, a sea of black-clad revellers descended upon The Old Woollen for the annual Antenna Festival.
This time the festival was holding its first day-time event, and not even chocolate eggs and the wild winds of West Leeds could deter these goths from watching their favourite bands.
The Old Woollen, situated in the historic Sunny Bank Mills complex, has firmly established itself as one of West Leeds’s cultural gems, hosting everything from live bands and cabaret to the unique People’s Bingo, which sells out faster than you can say “two little ducks”.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the last two Antenna outings, I pulled on my (faux) leather trousers, favourite Killstar top and military jacket, and headed out into the elements. I arrived windswept and fashionably late, just in time for the first band.
On the bill were some of West Yorkshire’s finest: 1919, Salvation and the ever-iconic Rose of Avalanche. The crowd was a perfect mix of long-time devotees from the Leeds scene and a few new faces – alongside members of other legacy bands: Skeletal Family and Ghost Dance – both of whom have played at previous Antenna.
With part of the venue curtained off for a makeshift green room, the space felt more intimate than usual—but if anything, that only amplified the atmosphere, reminding me of classic venues like London’s famous Marquee. My only gripe was that this meant there was very little seating available.
Salvation
Opening the afternoon were Salvation, a band who, back in the 80s, inspired not one but two devoted fan factions: The Penguin Mosh Squad and the Deep Sea Jivers — which alone tells you everything you need to know about their particular kind of cult status.
They kicked off with The Shining, and within seconds vocalist Danny Mass — ever the seasoned frontman — had the room exactly where he wanted it. Looking dapper in dark sunglasses and drape jacket, he delivered a set packed with swagger, backed by dynamic guitars and keyboard riffs that wasted no time getting everyone shuffling.
Their set leaned into nostalgia, as crowd favourites like All and More and Thunderbird landed exactly how they were intended, alongside covers including INXS’s Don’t Change and a lively rendition of Kids in America – made famous by Kim Wilde in 1981 — the latter delivered as a blinding encore.
Some bands fade into fond memory. Salvation, clearly, are not one of them, nor do we want them to be.
1919
Next up, Bradford’s own 1919 — fronted by the charismatic and unmistakably intense Rio Goldhammer — shifted the mood into something darker, heavier, and altogether more primal.
Originally formed in 1980 with Ian Tilleard on vocals, the band were key players in shaping the early Leeds/Bradford post-punk scene, earning coveted support slots with the likes of Bauhaus. After reforming three decades later, they’ve lost none of their edge. If anything, they’ve sharpened it.
After the Fall sets the tone immediately: pounding, hypnotic drums, jagged guitars, and an undercurrent of tension that felt almost tribalistic. At one point, I found myself leaning over to a friend to remark on the similarities of 1919 to Play Dead – that same raw, shamanic pulse running through their sound.
Tracks like Stop the World, Futurecide and Death Note deliver a socio-anarchic message that is just as relevant in contemporary society as it was 40 years ago – it’s direct, unapologetic, and exactly what the genre does best.
Dressed in striking red and black leather, Rio commanded the stage with an intensity that never dipped. The punk ethos — political, restless, uncompromising — still burns at the core of what they do.
By the end of the set, the bar hadn’t just been raised, it had been launched into orbit. As the last chords of the closing number, Revenge, rang out, I bumped into Rose of Avalanche guitarist David ‘Wolfie’ Wolfenden, who put the question to me: “How can we possibly follow that?”
It was one of those small, unscripted moments that perfectly captured the camaraderie of the Leeds scene — mutual respect, no egos, just musicians supporting each other – as it should be.
Rose of Avalanche
Fortunately, if any band can rise to that kind of challenge, it’s Rose of Avalanche.
Formed in 1984 and long regarded as one of the cornerstones of the West Yorkshire’s scene, their sound has always existed slightly outside the neat confines of the ‘goth’ label, pulling as much from The Stooges, The Velvet Underground and The Doors as it does from their contemporaries like The Sisters of Mercy.
They took to the stage to a rapturous welcome, opening with the psychedelic Conceal Me before launching into the much loved Too Many Castles in the Sky.
The twin guitars of Wolfie and Glenn Schulz created a rich, textured wall of sound, while Phil Morris delivered vocals in that signature half-drawl, half-croon that makes Rose of Avalanche so magnetic and unique.
Rose of Avalanche love to entertain and at one point, Phil, clearly enjoying himself, launched into an impromptu a cappella rendition of R.E.M.’s The One I Love. It was a moment that felt as oddly perfect as it was unexpected.
The night also doubled as Phil’s 60th birthday, which was marked onstage after an outstanding performance of Goddess with a signed card, a cake, a level of crowd enthusiasm and a few embarrassed words from Phil that I probably shouldn’t repeat. But they soon resumed the show, launching into their first ever single LA Rain.
If any goth band was a box of chocolates, it would be Rose of Avalanche – rich, dark flavours and impossible to stop at just one. leaving the audience reaching for more. Each track has its own energy. From the smooth Velveteen to the anthemic LA Rain, the band delivered a set that satisfied long-time fans while drawing newer listeners further into their orbit.
They closed with an excellent cover of Alice by The Sisters of Mercy, sending the crowd out on a high and bringing the afternoon to a fitting close.
It was a superb event—slightly surreal only in the sense that it was still broad daylight when we stepped outside, blinking back into reality.
Three bands, three distinct energies: Danny’s rockabilly swagger, Rio’s gritty, post-punk anarchy and Phil’s enigmatic coolness.
Antenna once again proved that West Leeds’s alternative scene isn’t just alive. It’s thriving, loud, and showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.
More information about events at The Old Woollen can be found here.
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