Before we saw The Slates supporting fellow Leeds fans Skylights, it had been a long time since we’d seen a band enjoy playing together on stage so much.

Hailing from Mirfield, The Slates are an indie rock quartet who released their debut EP u wot? in 2022. Last month they headlined local Leeds venue The Key Club and 2024 promises to be a big year — a new single is on the way, and they embark on their biggest tour yet next month.

We caught up with bass player Jude Wales to find out more and chat all things LUFC.

(Photograph by Daniel Caddick)

If The Slates were a Leeds player, past or present…?

Georginio Rutter, because he just keeps getting better!;)

Favourite Leeds goal and why?

Emile Smith Rowe’s against West Brom! Only kidding. For me it would be Ayling’s against Huddersfield just because it’s probably the best goal I’ve seen at Elland Road, and also because I have a lot of friends who are Town fans so it made it extra sweet.

How are you feeling about the current season?

I think, like everyone, I probably expected more by this point and I think we’ve had some disappointing results. However it could be worse. We’re finding a bit more consistency but still not as much as we should have. Also there really is no point in predicting the Championship because anything can happen at any point! Villa going from mid-table to getting promoted when we bottled it is a prime example.

Can you recommend to our readers some of your favourite bands they might not have heard?

Definitely The Rosadocs — a Sheffield band who are absolutely brilliant! Pastel are another good one to check out!

What would be your dream line-up in a Leeds United supergroup?

I’m going to use some past Leeds players with this, so I’d have Alioski on vocals, Ayling on lead guitar (just because of THAT celebration!), Rodon on rhythm guitar, James on drums and Bamford on bass!

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(This post is free to read from The Square Ball magazine season 34 issue 5. Click here to read more)