Plantfood & Yung Yusuf “Bite The Bullet” EP Launch + Nova.Sol + Scratchy Junk Show

Two Leeds scene alt-jazz and hip-hop favourites join forces for a joint headline show at Belgrave Music Hall Leeds to launch their new collaborative EP.

“Bite The Bullet” is a new EP that sees Leeds alt-jazz band Plantood reunited with London Palestinian rapper Yung Yusuf, the first time they have collaborated on music since the track “Y.U.S.” from the band’s debut album “Carnivores” (released October 2024). They first met when they were students at Leeds Conservatoire around 2020, and often featured on each other’s local gigs – Plantfood musicians playing in Yung Yusuf’s live band, Yusuf jumping onstage to guest with Plantood at their shows. Now they’re releasing a full joint EP together…..a blend of punk, jazz, rock and bass driven beats topped with Yusuf’s firing and political rap flow and lyrics.  

Yung Yusuf is an English-Palestinian rapper previously known as Yusuf Yellow. His lyrics are marked by a deep exploration of fear, identity, and vulnerability, while his playful wordplay and unique energy keep listeners on their toes. With his music, Yusuf lays bare his internal struggles and triumphs with candid, unfiltered execution.

Plantfood are a blood-pumping alt-jazz force summoning an onslaught of electronic and acoustic sounds with influences ranging from heavy hitters like The Prodigy to the spiritual explorations of John Coltrane. The 6-piece collective guides audiences through the extremes of the mosh pit to serene meditations. Forming within and coming up through the inspiring Leeds alt-jazz scene, Plantfood have quickly become a defining sound in the community.

“Powerful as ever” – Jess Iszatt, BBC Introducing, Radio 1.
“My favourite discovery of Glastonbury 2023” – Papaoul (Rinse FM)

“It’s hard to keep still to that one, the bass and percussion alone produce enough energy to power the grid.” – Soweto Kinch, BBC Radio 3

“Impeccable track – Plantfood and Yung Yusuf sound like they’re just made for each other” – Emily Pilbeam, BBC Introducing Yorkshire

In autumn 2024,  they released their debut album “Carnivores” and toured across the UK promoting it with sellout headline shows in London, Leeds, York, Falmouth, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Plantfood and Yung Yusuf have reached new sonic horizons, fusing punk, jazz and electronica in bold and explosive arrangements. Alongside this, they have supported many established artists such as Nubiyan Twist, Dele Sosimi and BCUC. The band were also selected for Tina Edward’s ‘Next Big Thing’ playlist for British Airways in-flight entertainment. Plantfood have featured all over radio via the likes of Craig Charles, Jess Iszatt, Jamz Supernova, Soweto Kinch and Sian Eleri on stations such as BBC 1, BBC 3, BBC 6 Music, Selector Radio, Totally Wired Radio, Rinse FM and Worldwide FM.

Support act for the show is firing alt-jazz/breakbeat jazz band Nova.Sol, already well established on both the Leeds and UK scenes. Their debut single “Sanguine” had heavy radio support across Jazz FM, BBC Radio (Radio 2, 6 Music, BBC Radio 3) Soho Radio, Worldwide FM and Totally Wired Radio, to name a few stations. They’ve played We Out Here Festival, Leeds Jazz Festival and shows across the UK in Manchester, Sheffield and London.

Opening up the night will be live hip-hop band Scratchy Junk Show, led by drummer Herbie Underwood and DJ/producer Alex FB. Think beats and grooves in a Dilla/Madlib/MF Doom style but played by a live band. Herbie and Alex will also be DJing between live sets playing their favourite classic and new hip-hop, future soul, broken beats and global music grooves.

Doors 7.30pm. Scratchy Junk Show 7.45pm. Nova.Sol 8.30pm. Plantfood & Yung Yusuf 9.15pm.