A Night to Remember: Kirklees Most Wanted Lights Up The Northern Quarter

From the moment the doors opened at the Wood Street venue, the energy was electric. The showcase—curated by Kirklees Most Wanted (Saving Grace Collective) —didn’t just feel like a concert; it felt like a statement of intent for the local creative community.

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The new year has barely begun, but Huddersfield has already set a high bar for live music in 2026. On Saturday, January 10th, The Northern Quarter played host to the Kirklees Most Wanted Showcase, and to say it was a success would be an understatement. It was a high-octane celebration of the incredible homegrown talent that makes our local scene so special.

From the moment the doors opened at the Wood Street venue, the energy was electric. The showcase—curated by Kirklees Most Wanted (Saving Grace Collective) —didn’t just feel like a concert; it felt like a statement of intent for the local creative community.

A Diverse Lineup of Local Powerhouses

The beauty of the Kirklees Most Wanted project has always been its genre-blurring inclusivity, and Saturday night was the perfect reflection of that.

Fiesta La Ginger: Taking the reins on the decks, Fiesta La Ginger ensured there was never a dull moment. Mixing things up with an eclectic mix of classic soul tracks, local talent, and hip-hop classics, her DJ sets provided a seamless, high-energy thread that kept the party going all night.

Sophie & Songs: In a beautiful shift of pace, Sophie delivered a hauntingly authentic set. She had the tough task of being the opening act, and boy did she deliver. Her stripped-back folk style and stirring vocals on tracks like “Denial” and “Love Betrayed Me” brought a “pin-drop” atmosphere to the room. Rapturous applause and screams of “one more track!” ensured she was truly in her element.

Leo Brazil: Leo proved exactly why he’s a staple of the Huddersfield and UK scene as a whole. Blending acoustic foundations with country, folk, psychedelia, and pop, his set was a masterclass in songwriting. Leo’s “foot-stomping” energy had the crowd eating out of his hands—especially during the sing-along to his song about one of his favorite animals, “Bats.”

Eskar & Micky Swags: Representing the underground hip-hop scene, Eskar brought a solid, honed performance to the stage. Alongside Micky Swags and DJ Chillsmyth, they delivered a hard-hitting set featuring the track “Kaiju.” One of the night’s most poignant moments was the performance of “116 123,” a powerful piece focused on mental health awareness that resonated with everyone in the room.

Rillington Place: Closing out the live acts, the alternative nu-metal outfit Rillington Place brought the house down. This was a demonstration of pure stage presence and unfiltered passion. They drove the crowd wild with “Lament” and new, unreleased material from their forthcoming EP—a heavy, driving highlight proving the Huddersfield scene has plenty of bite to match its soul.

More Than Just a Gig

The “Most Wanted” showcase is a vital platform for discovery. Talking to the crowd, it was clear that many had come to see one specific act but left with three new favorites. It’s this spirit of community and support that makes the K.M.W Showcase such a perfect platform for these artists.

As the founder of the project noted, this is about more than just a single night; it’s about nurturing a “vibrant, inclusive music ecosystem” right here in Kirklees.

Whats next?

Now get ready for the next K.M.W Showcase event on February 20th as they roll into Dewsbury at The Terrace with another epic line up of; Eve Joné, Simon Walker, Penny and Don Gonzo backed up once again with the sounds of Fiesta La Ginger.