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Diary Dates

Sleep Outside – Monday 6 November
Duffy’s Bar

Sleep Outside is a 00s emo flavoured band with pop and math-rock influences. From Cardiff via Wandsworth.

Jealous Nostril – Tuesday 7 November
Firebug

Jealous Nostril are a London-based 3 piece consisting of Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell along with Jack Flanagan (Mystery Jets) and ElliS D (ElliS D.)

SoundHIve Social – Thursday 9 November
Duffy’s

SoundHive Social is back with another line-up of fabulous local artists and a wonderfully inclusive and welcome setting. With the music played a little lower to encourage the audience the chat, relax and enjoy the evening, you can look forward to sets from Leicester’s Adopted Son, David Masson, as well as Rhett Barrow, and a selection of past SoundHive acts collaborating on stage. It should be a top night. Free entry.

The Undercover Hippy – Friday 10 November
The Soundhouse

Acoustic Hip-hop reggae with conscious lyrics, freestyling, good times and festival vibes! Billy Rowan, (aka The Undercover Hippy), is definitely not your average singer songwriter. His music brings together acoustic guitar, soulful vocals, infectious reggae rhythms, and the lyrical delivery of a skilled MC.

Space – Friday 10 November
O2 Academy

Cheeky, scouse outfit whose quirky, uplifting brand of indie-pop has produced many smiles, as well as some irresistable tunes (‘Neighbourhood’, ‘Female Of The Species’, ‘Me And You Vs The World’). Record company wrangles led to them being silent at the start of the new millennium, but in 2012 Space were back with a vengeance and playing material from their new albums ‘Attack Of The 50ft Kebab’ and ‘Give Me Your Future’.

Siobhan Mazzei – Saturday 11 November
The Soundhouse

Siobhan Mazzei leicester

Local singer, Siobhan Mazzei, is known for her Intelligent songwriting that cuts to the bone, brooding with imagery with hypnotic, Gaelic tinged vocal.

Tom A Smith – Thursday 16 November
Duffy’s Bar

Tom A Smith’s work so far has seen quality riffs, great vocal qualities and a strength in sound which has garnered him high-profile gigs including supporting Courteeners, Miles Kane, Martha Hill, Vistas, Blondes, The Pale White, Eliza and The Bear, Gang of Youths, and Sunset Sons, as well as shows at The Great Escape and Neighbourhood Weekender.

Theia – Friday 17 November
The Soundhouse

A hard rock trio from Burton Upon Trent whose current line up came together in February 2012. Since then they have been making waves both locally and on the English Rock Festival circuit with their high octane, riff driven rock n’ roll.

Mouth Culture – Saturday 18 November
O2 Academy

Leicester’s own Mouth Culture are back and the indie-alt-rock trio are certainly ones to watch. Their music perfectly captures the energy of their live shows, packed full of punk-rock tendencies while retaining infectious indie-pop melodies. From gritty guitars, punchy drums, and grounding bass, and you’ll know why they’ve already received feverish support from BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio, Radio X, Triple J and Spotify. With brand new music, and with an and ever-growing fan base, you really don’t want to miss this show.

Scouting For Girls – Tuesday 21 November
O2 Academy

scouting for girls rutland water

Scouting For Girls’ unforgettable indie-pop anthems such as ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’ and ‘Heartbeat’ set them on a path to phenomenal success which included four Top 10 singles, four Top 10 albums, 2 million sales and more than a billion streams – plus four BRIT Awards and an Ivor Novello. Enjoy a fun night with all the hits.

Sundara Karma – Saturday 25 November
25 November

Sundara Karma are the young four piece alternative band from Reading who entered the rock arenas straight from their A-Levels. They soon gathered support from BBC Radio 1, while The Guardian likened them to Arcade Fire and U2. They scored a UK top 30 album with 2017 debut ‘Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect’, while their dreamy, almost psychedelic sound has been described as ‘the sound of Summer’, but will cater for all seasons!

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INTERVIEW: Luke Broughton

Leicester musician, Luke Broughton, is gearing up for his latest album launch show at The Donkey. With the latest album a collaborative project with his dad, we caught up with to find out more.

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before? 

It’s ethereal and very textural, with a mixture of programmed and more organic elements with lush synths and wailing guitar feedback, as well more subtle picked folky elements. 

Which 3 artists would you list in your “for fans of” section? 

There are elements of Nick Cave, Kate Bush, perhaps, as well as lots of influences from ambient and electronic music. 

Credit – Kevin Gaughan

Tell us about the new album, Break The Dark…

It’s a solo album that I’ve contributed to by my dad, Edgar Broughton produced by John Leckie (The Bends, Stone Roses etc). It’s been a long time in the making. Many of the songs were formed some years ago and demoed by us both when I was touring with his band. He has since gone on to write some of the most beautiful and moving songs of his entire career. It is exciting to be part of this journey with the album already being incredibly well received. 

What can people expect from the album launch show?

There will be a solo performance from me followed by a set with us both playing songs from ‘Break The Dark’ for the very first time with visual projections. Plus an opening set by visual artist and collaborator Honest Dave. There will also be CDs available on the night. 

The show is at The Donkey. Which are some of your favourite venues in Leicester?

We are lucky to have a wealth of grassroots venues in Leicester. The Donkey is of course one of them. I love the space and have a great relationship with them through running my monthly Take The Stage night there. Firebug and Duffy’s are also great venues and Matt and Kat (the owners) have always been incredibly supportive of what I do. I feel like they are genuine inclusive safer spaces and an asset to our community which is so important. 

What is coming up next after the album launch show?

We will be exploring the possibility of a tour next spring. I will also be playing a very special private show at Leicester Gallery with my good friend and fellow artist, Laura Dickenson, on December 1st launching our new residency ‘Sonar Sessions’ there.

Who are some of your other favourite new up and coming artists?

There are far too many to mention but I’ll through a few out there. JJ Lovegrove, Sean Eliazah, Shontae, Ollie West, the entire Unglamorous project, The People Assembly, The Societys, there are so many. 

Where can people hear/find out the album launch show?

You can purchase tickets via brown paper tickets here: https://m.bpt.me/event/6136610

You can also purchase the album from Cherry Red Records here. https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/edgar-broughton-break-the-dark-cd/

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

On this week’s playlist we’ve got our pick of artists you can see live in Leicester over the coming weeks.

Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.