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Diary Dates
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
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’ 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!
O’Hooley & Tidow – Wednesday 29 November
The Guildhall
Join much loved folk duo O’Hooley & Tidow as they perform their critically acclaimed new album ‘Cloudheads’ in the the beautiful and atmospheric setting of The Guildhall.
Shalamar – Thursday 30 November
De Montfort Hall
As Shalamar, Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel sold over 25 million records worldwide and collected no less than 100 gold, silver and platinum awards. They always whip the crowd into a frenzy with classics such as I Can Make You Feel Good, A Night To Remember, Friends, Make That Move, The Second Time Around, There It Is and I Owe You One. Completing the group is Carolyn Griffey (daughter of Shalamar founder Dick Griffey, the CEO of SOLAR records).
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PREVIEW: Download Festival announces 2024 headliners
Download Festival, the home of rock and based right here on our doorstep at Donington Park, returns for its 21st edition. This week the festival has announced that the 2024 headliners are Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold, who will be joined by over 70 more huge names from the rock world.
Also announced today are UK and international heavyweights Royal Blood, The Offspring, Sum 41, Corey Taylor, Machine Head, Pantera, BABYMETAL, Fear Factory, While She Sleeps, Billy Talent, Bowling For Soup, The Used, Hoobastank (playing ‘The Reason’ in full), Atreyu, Counterparts, Bad Omens, Dying Fetus, The Black Dahlia Murder, Those Damn Crows, Holding Absence, Silverstein, Charlotte Sands, Thy Art Is Murder, Fit For A King and so many more. The headliners and other acts announced today highlight the multi-generational appeal of the festival, with something for everyone.
Queens Of The Stone Age will be headlining Download Festival for the very first time this year. Last time they played at Donington was in 2013, and now they return over a decade later to headline at the hallowed grounds. Formed in 1996, the band have been a driving force in modern rock music. They achieved success with albums like “Songs for the Deaf” and “Rated R,” featuring crowd-rousing hits like “No One Knows” and “Go With The Flow”. This year’s critically acclaimed “In Times New Roman…’ saw the band once again at their heaviest, darkest and twisted best. Known for their dynamic live performances, QOTSA has maintained a devoted fan base throughout their career, solidifying their status as rock icons.
Fall Out Boy need no introduction, but it will also be their first ever time headlining at Download Festival. The last time they played at Download was in 2014 when they were main support to headliners Linkin Park, and in the decade since they have proved themselves to be a band well and truly worthy of headlining Download Festival. Formed in Chicago in 2001, the Grammy-winning pop punk band have gone from strength to strength, selling millions of records and winning countless awards for their energetic live shows.
The festival’s grand finale will come at the hands of Avenged Sevenfold, who last headlined Download in 2018. Six years on, and their return to the hallowed grounds is set to be even more explosive than when they last played. The Californian heavy metal five-piece, fronted by M. Shadows, have sold over 8 million albums since they formed in 1999 and are well known for their incendiary live shows. The band recently released their eighth studio album and will be sure to play hits new and old at DLXXI.
Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates says: “We are super excited to be playing Download for the third time but as they say the third time is a charm, so hopefully we get it right this time! We appreciate everyone coming back and joining in the madness and the fun.”
Following on from last year’s triumphant 20th anniversary, Download’s legacy does not only include the sensational artists who have performed there over the years, but also its unrivalled community, warm atmosphere and amazing afterhours entertainment at District X. Recently described as “the last sincere festival experience” by VICE, it continually proves just why people keep coming back for more.
This year, Download welcomes Liquid Death as their first ever headline partner in the festival’s 21-year legacy. The sustainable beverage company partnered with Download for the first time in 2023 reducing plastic by hundreds of thousands of bottles. Liquid Death’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastic will be at the heart of the Download partnership.
Download Festival’s Andy Copping says: “After our unbelievable 20th anniversary celebrations last year, we couldn’t be more excited about what DLXXI has in store. This year we have two brand new headliners in the form of Queens Of The Stone Age and Fall Out Boy, as well as the mighty Avenged Sevenfold and a whole host of huge names that make every second of Download Festival memorable. I can’t wait to join the fans there – it is our home. With first time headliners and our first headline partner with Liquid Death we are embracing the evolution of Download Festival. We have the best and friendliest community together and we can’t wait to celebrate the next 20 years of Download with you all.”
This is only the beginning for DLXXI, with many more acts and surprises yet to be announced. Book your tickets now: www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
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WEEKLY PLAYLIST
On this week’s playlist we’ve got all the acts from Download XXI for your to wrap your wears around. Take a listen and then grab your tickets.
Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.