Later this month a selection of Leicester’s finest musical talent will take over the O2 Academy for the inaugural Together one dayer event. Presented by The Cookie, Firebug and O2 Academy Leicester, the multi-stage one day festival will feature 24 bands across 3 stages.
Taking place on Saturday 25 January, it’s a great way to kick off a year of live music in the city. We caught up with promoter, Nik Sharpe, to find out more about the event (and find out the scoop on another brand new event coming up later this year).
Together is a new event on the Leicester music scene, can you tell us a little about what people can expect?
This event is a coming together of the Leicester music scene and a showcase of some of the awesome talent we have in the city. Since the loss of Simon Says, we’ve lost that large scale event that showcases local artists. We hope we can fill that gap and give acts the opportunity to play on the main stage at the O2 Academy with high end production.
Handmade Festival is having a year off in 2020, do you see Together as a similar event to Handmade?
Together is its own event and celebrates all things Leicester where as Handmade focuses on emerging bands and big headliners from around the world.
The Cookie & Firebug are launching a new event to fill the Handmade void in 2020, DSCVR on Saturday 16th May. This event will be held across multiple stages at O2 Academy Leicester and Leicester University with a focus on the best new bands and some of personal favourites from shows we’ve promoted in the last 12 months. The full line up for DSCVR will be announced at the end of January.
How difficult was it to create the line-up for Together?
Very tough as we have a limited amount of slots and there is so much talent in the city. It’s great to see so many acts coming through at the moment, the scene is in a great place.
You’re also partnering with other Leicester independents and creatives, including Realms of Rummage. How important are those collaborations for an event like Together?
Leicester’s creative scene is really happening at the moment and there are so many interesting studios, artists and collectives popping up. We wanted to add another element to the music and with Realms of Rummage, Nikki and her team will showcase the best in local makers.
As we enter a new year, what else can people look forward to from the local music scene in 2020?
We’re really excited about the launch of DSCVR and we feel it can be a new festival that puts Leicester on the map for the place to see the best up and coming music. We’re also working on the music programme for The Dome In the summer and expect that to go from strength to strength after sold out shows with British Sea Power and BC Camplight last year. As ever we will be bringing exciting emerging and established artists to The Cookie, Firebug and O2 Academy throughout the year.
Which new acts should people be keeping an eye on?
CJ Pandit and Mouth Culture are two really exciting local acts. Expect to see loads from them on a national level in 2020. Easy Life & Mahalia have created a path for local acts to follow and prove you can make it from your home in Leicester.
Sum up Together in 5 words…
Celebrating Leicester’s Awesome Music Scene
Tickets for Together are on sale now from Ticketmaster priced at only £12. £12 for a packed day of music with 24 bands and a local makers fair… Bargain!