With no shows taking place we’ve had to switch around our weekly music news just a little bit. However we will still be here every Tuesday with a Leicester music update for you in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd.
Stay in the know and be the first in line. Every week. 
Also back every week is our new Leicestershire artist spotlight playlists. Yes, each week you’ll be able to enjoy a brand new Spotify playlist featuring some of our best local talent.
One man who know a lot about the music scene in Leicester is Paul Collins, who runs Wake Up Promotions and Still Ill Studios. Normally busy putting on shows in venues across town, we caught up with him to see how the current situation is affecting plans and what he’s looking forward to later in the year.
INTERVIEW: PAUL COLLINS OF WAKE UP PROMOTIONS
What have been some of your highlights since running Wake Up Promotions?
The Sugar Hill Gang at The 2funky Music Cafe and Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch at The Y Theatre (Stunning venue) were brilliant shows. Also, being a massive Britpop fan, putting on the likes of Mark Morriss (The Bluetones), John Power (Cast) and Chris Helme (The Seahorses) is always a pleasure.
What is it that makes Leicester’s music scene special, do you think?
Lots of great venues and bands, although they do sometimes play to a smaller audience than they deserve, but it does have a lovely dedicated set of people who attend loads of shows and they are much appreciated.
How has the Coronovirus situation affected you as a promoter?
All my shows were cancelled instantly and have been busy trying to reschedule them while guessing the right time to do it and the last few weekends have been very odd staying in for the first time in 11 years!
Do you think the music venues will be able to come through this ok?
I really hope so and also that live music will be high on the list of peoples things to do when they are allowed out. With all the rescheduled shows people won’t be able to moan there is nothing on!
What events are you most looking forward to later in the year?
I had a ticket for Kasabian’s Summer Solstice show but not sure if that is going to ahead now unfortunately. I love doing my Britpop Lives Forvever club nights as my perfect place so can’t wait for the October one at Firebug.
Who are some of your top tips of local talent to watch out for?
Factory Girls are a great upcoming local band and I also i really like Mouth Culture. Solo wise you can’t go wrong with Mikey Kerslake and Greg Poole has a new single out called ‘Future Focus which is well worth a look. I put on a lot of tribute shows in the city and am looking forward to seeing a new local based one called Fake Plastic Radiohead when they start gigging later in the year.
You also run Still Ill Studios, what services do you offer and how can people find out more?
I sure do and we are a premium rehearsal rooms in Leicester who try to do things a bit differently to other places and we can’t wait to reopen when this is all over and welcome bands back and you can find out more via our website.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do when this is all over?
Like a large part of the country it’s going to involve the pub the pub and the pub!
Follow Wake Up Promotions via Facebook for the latest event news and announcements.
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WEEKLY PLAYLIST
Enjoy this week’s best of Leicester playlist! Each week we’ll be pulling together some of our favourites as well as recommendations to highlight some top local talent. This week’s list features the likes of Demons of Ruby Mae, Her Burden, Charlotte Carpenter and Paul’s recommendation above, Factory Girls.
Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.
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MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK
