COOL AS LEICESTER

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Diary Dates

Internal Conflict – Friday 11 March
The Soundhouse

A night of brutal metal. “A head on collision of post-millennial metal!” – Metal Hammer

The Woodentops – Friday 11 March
Firebug

The recently reformed The Woodentops were late 1980s Glastonbury headliners and were much loved by John Peel. The first band to cross over between dance and indie music, they prefigured bands such as Happy Mondays – with everyone from Paul Oakenfold to Ashley Beedle playing their records at early acid house parties.

Uncle Frank – Saturday 12 March
O2 Academy

Multi-instrumentalists Frank Benbini (one third of Fun Lovin’ Criminals) and Naim Cortazzi are the founding members of Uncle Frank. “This is the blues as originally intended, James Brown and all the funkery that goes with that. Add in a dose of electro pulsation and you have something that sits easily in the here and now but also pulls from the glorious past”

David Ford – Sunday 13 March
The Musician

Singer/songwriter David Ford is essential listening for anyone who gives a damn about music. He first achieved prominence with the indie rock group Easyworld, who released an independent mini-album, ‘…Better Ways to Self Destruct’ and two full-length albums on Jive Records before disbanding in 2004. Ford branched into a solo career soon after, and has become known for the sheer passion he puts into his songs, combining Americana, English melodicism and a touch of rock ‘n’ roll, tied together with finely-crafted lyrics. Think Tom Waits, Neil Young and Randy Newman.

Bodega – Friday 18 March
Leicester International Arts Centre

Brooklyn art-rock five piece Bodega blend post-punk, contemporary pop, hip-hop, kraut rock, and narrative songwriting, citing The Fall, Vic Godard and The Who amongst their influences. The NME reacted to their performances at the prestigious SXSW festival by claiming “Bodega are the best band you will see anywhere at SXSW 2018. Hands down.”

Seas of Mirth – Saturday 19 March
The Shed

A group of debauched and maniacal japesters that have been plundering the British Isles and mainland Europe for the last several years or so. Combining hilarious live shows with pounding dance music, Seas of Mirth are a party band unlike any other around.

The Skinner Brothers – Wednesday 23 March
Firebug

Formed in London in 2017, after deciding a life in music might mean they’d never have to work a real job again, The Skinner Brothers gained notoriety after joining The Libertines on their Tiddeley Om Pom Pom seaside tour on a personal invitation from Carl Bârat. With influences ranging from Sinatra to Oasis, The Skinner Brothers don’t really sound like anyone else.

BC Camplight – Thursday 24 March
O2 Academy Leicester

BC Camplight is the moniker of American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Christinzio. The Philadelphia singer-songwriter, falling somewhere between Ben Folds and Badly Drawn Boy, moved to Manchester UK in 2012, where he’s brought his brand of quirky indie-pop to new audiences.

Perhaps best known as the drummer from Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Frank Benbini also enjoys success with his own band, Uncle Frank. They’re back this weekend with a homecoming live show at O2 Academy Leicester. We caught up with Frank to find out what we can expect from the show, chat about new album plans and more.

What can fans expect from the upcoming show?

A bunch of emotions, sweat, style, Rock n Roll and some brand new material which won’t be available till end of year.

How much of a buzz is it to do a homecoming show in Leicester?

Hometown shows are amazing and stressful all at the same time, but we want it to be a celebration a party and Leicester to bring it on Saturday.

How would you describe your live performances for anyone who’s never seen Uncle Frank live before?

Live it’s about bringing the songs we have wrote to life for the live crowd in the best way we can right in that moment – yet keepin true to what we put down on the recording on the actual record, the crowd is the most important part of the gig, to us They are the breaking wave of the ocean and we are the raft that get carried along.

How has life been back out gigging post-lockdown?

Getting out the last few weeks to play for music lovers is just absolutely F-:king awesome. I’ve seen people cry with happy tears, people’s eyes closed in a spiritual state of bliss totally rejoicing in the live music and the energy coming off the stage you can see it healing souls. Like I’ve always said, music is a medicine, it makes you feel a certain way and at the same time makes you wanna rock your socks off and to get back to this makes you appreciate it even more, after it being taken away from us for two years.

What’s your favourite thing about Leicester’s music scene?

Seeing the young bands cutting their teeth remembering that feeling from back in the day, when just getting together with your friends ,putting on a show and the buzz of all your school or college friends family coming down was enough. As you start your journey It’s actually those individuals that by doing this are the heart of the Leicester music scene. There is no scene without all of us young or old bands from back in the day, we are the music scene of Leicester end of.

What else does 2022 have in store for you?

We have some great news about our new album. It’s all about finished and our new single will drop later this year, with album and tour dates in 2023. There’ll maybe be a couple of festival appearances in 2022, which we will be playing a bunch of the new songs at. It’s all starting this Saturday with a homecoming show at the O2 Academy. It’s kind of special as you won’t get to hear the songs until the album drops in 2023 so get down and let’s rock.

Uncle Frank plays O2 Academy Leicester on Saturday 12 March. Tickets are on sale now.

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Our weekly playlist this week is looking at some of the best live acts you can catch in Leicester over the coming weeks.

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