New Briggate After Dark

Suzy Mason - co-founder of Leeds’ Kit Kat Club, Vague, and SpeedQueen - takes us to New Briggate after dark. This episode explores a snapshot of some of the street’s nightlife stories, transporting us back over 50 years of dancing, drinking, taxis, takeaways, and a few celebrity customers along the way.

Content information: Due to the social and historical content being discussed in this episode, there are references made to drug-taking, sex, alcohol consumption, and bathhouses or saunas.

Sounds of New Briggate is East Street Arts’ podcast series - hosted by local people, telling local stories - which celebrates New Briggate, a unique and vibrant high street in the heart of Leeds. 

Podcast Contributors:

Suzy Mason, co-founder of Leeds’ Kit Kat Club, Vague, and SpeedQueen

Lucy Fishwick, DJ, promoter and founding member of Mile High Club

Jez Willis, DJ, promoter and founding member of Mile High Club. One half of electronic duo Utah Saints

Amanda Hammond, DJ at Mr.Craig's in the 80s

Mark Wilks, fashion designer and owner of Tortoise on New Briggate in 1990s

Val Rose, Head Waitress at Cinderella Rockafella's in 1970s, owner of Mint Club on Harrison Street in Leeds until 2019.

Jojo Kelly, worked as a cigarette girl for Suzy at SpeedQueen

Track Listing:

Iggy and the Stooges - Dirt 

Utah Saints - What Can You Do For Me

N-Joi - Anthem

Spice Girls - Wannabe

Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

The 5th Dimension - Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In

PRS Interactive Webcasting Licence: LE-0033352

Podcast Production: East Street Arts

Read a transcript of the podcast at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dlOAVkg8q8QION5QwfRbt_m9TmX_EjRnNbJXHdIpmcc/edit?usp=sharing 

Hidden Histories of New Briggate is supported by Leeds City Council and Historic England as part of the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone regeneration programme. To find out more about the project visit www.eaststreetarts.org.uk