Welcome to the launch of Cool As Leicester’s Weekly Music News series. From Leicester’s own crop of talented bands and artists, to venues and promoters working tirelessly to keep the city’s music scene exciting and packed full of events, our aim is to keep you updated with the latest news, announcements, tickets and spotlight features.
Stay in the know and be the first in line. Every week.
We know that awareness and promotion of gigs in the city doesn’t match with the quality of events taking place. With Great Central closing in late 2018, the city lost its only print publication dedicated to promoting arts and music. Whilst we remain an online only outlet, our aim is that this weekly round-up will offer music fans in the city a means of keeping on top of what’s happening and encourage more people to immerse themselves in Leicester’s ever-evolving music scene.
To help make this possible we have joined with PPL PRS, the UK’s music licensing company, who are based right here in Leicester. The team at PPL PRS are hugely passionate about supporting the city’s music scene and we’re incredibly thankful to have their backing.
Thanks for reading and we hope to see you here each week!
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NEWS
Honeyblood – O2 Academy
Thursday 2 May 2019
Honeyblood’s upcoming third album will see Stina Tweeddale finding her most ambitious form and steely focus yet. The Scots are heading on tour with an all new full live band and will be coming to Leicester’s O2 Academy on Thursday 2 May. Tickets are on sale now priced at £12.50. TICKETS.
NotAFest Returns to The Shed
Friday 1 & Saturday 2 March 2019
Covering live music mixed with industry chat, NotAFest returns to The Shed. Friday will focus on industry talks on topics including touring, grassroots music venues, recording on a budget and band promotion, whilst there’ll be acoustic acts on stage downstairs in The Vault with live music right through the evening. Come Saturday local and national acts will play across both of The Shed’s stages, followed by Ambush club night. The line-up includes Press to MECO, Goldblume, Finches of Attica, Chapter and Verse, plus loads more. Day tickets are £10 each with a full weekend pass available for £15. TICKETS.
Lucy Spraggan – O2 Academy
Sunday 12 May 2019
Having come a long way since she stepped up to audition for X factor in 2012, Lucy Spraggan is back in Leicester following a number of sell out shows over the years. Don’t miss her on 12 May, with tickets sure to fly out. Tickets are on sale now priced at £18. TICKETS.
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THIS WEEK
Sean McGowan – The Soundhouse
Wednesday 13 February
After an incredible 2018, Seán McGowan is stepping up his already considerable efforts to bring his smart wordplay and clash of sad and riotous tunes to everyone and he’ll be in Leicester on Wednesday 13 February for a show at The Soundhouse. Having supported Frank Turner, Skinny Lister, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Will Varley, Billy Bragg and The Levellers, it’s an exciting time for Sean’s solo tour. TICKETS.
Beans on Toast – Duffy’s Bar
Thursday 14 February
Cool As favourite, Beans on Toast, brings his A Bird in the Hand tour to Leicester for Valentine’s Day. The gig has been moved from Dryden Street to Duffy’s, so join Jay for a little love-in as he treats you to the best tracks from his latest album and your old favourites. Limited tickets remain. TICKETS.
G Funk Valentine’s Day Special – The Donkey
Thursday 14 February
Enjoy an intimate Valentine’s night at The Donkey with music from Leicester’s Gareth John, who will be performing songs from his new album ‘As Long As I’m Singing’ along with romantic swing, jazzand soul classics. Having played alongside the likes of Happy Monday, Black Grape and The Specials, you may also recognise Gareth as a member of The Paradimes. A brilliant soloist and performer, you can be sure of a brilliant set.
Alternativ Karaoke – The Shed
Friday 15 February
Grab your 4 minutes of fame at The Shed as Alternativ Karaoke returns. Get on the big stage with lyrics across their 15 foot LED screen behind you and sing your favourite alt songs! From My Chemical Romance to Mcfly, post your requests on their event page to make sure you can grab a slot.
The ELO Encounter – The Musician
Saturday 16 February
Promising a night filled with rock, roll and Blue Skies, enjoy a tribute to Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra at The Musician on Saturday night. In an all live show featuring soaring strings, striking vocal harmonies and playing all the much loved songs from ELO’s hit-filled library including Evil Woman, Telephone Line and Don’t Bring Me Down. Tickets are £12 on the door. TICKETS.
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DIARY DATES
Fatherson – The Shed
Sunday 24 February
Fatherson are back in Leicester with their raw and honest alt-rock sound. Following their storming run of festival performances and live sessions on BBC Radio 1 throughout 2018, be sure to grab yourself a ticket. Just £8 in advance or £10 on the door. TICKETS.
Tony Wright (Terrorvision) – The Soundhouse
Thursday 7 March
Tony Wright may be best known as the singer for Bradford rock band Terrorvision. However, he’s also built up a brilliant catalogue of acoustic solo material, some upbeat, some melancholic, but all thought-provoking. Don’t miss him at The Soundhouse with advance tickets priced at £10, more on the door. TICKETS.
TRAPS – Scholar Bar
Saturday 2 March
The six-piece indie band from Leicester will be playing their own headline show at the Scholar Bar on Saturday 2 March. With their powerful and colourful indie/electro sound, they’ve built up a great following across their home town since forming in 2016. Tickets are £8 in advance. TICKETS.
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SPOTLIGHT
Ólafur Arnalds – The Haymarket Theatre
Thursday 21 March
Brought to you by the The Robot Needs Home Collective, Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, Ólafur Arnalds, comes to Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre for a special show on Thursday 21 March. His fourth ‘official’ solo album, re:member, evolved under the influence of a number of collaborators – including hip-hop producer BNGERBOY, who’s innovative sounds caught Arnalds’ ear and influenced the direction of the album. Whether you know him for his BAFTA-winning score for Broadchurch, his reinterpretations of classical music such as The Chopin Project with Alice Sara Ott, or his collaborations with artists including Nanna Bryndis (Of Monsters and Men), you’ll no doubt agree that this, his first solo tour in 3 years, will be something special. Complete with wired string quartet, a live drummer/percussionist and Ólafur’s playground of pianos and synthesisers; get it in your diary now.
“A neo-classical ambience with luscious string lines, loops, and electronics” (London in Stereo)
Tickets are priced at £33 and are on sale from The Haymarket website.
MORE NEXT WEEK
Got music news? Send it over to [email protected].
Cool As Leicester Weekly Music News is sponsored by PPL PRS Ltd.