Due to current events we’ve had to move around our weekly music news, 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.

NEWS

Grace Petrie live gig to raise funds for the Y Theatre

Grace Petrie and The Resistance Band present their first full band live stream, in aid of Leicester’s Y Theatre on Saturday 5 September. Tickets are on sale now as Grace performs live from the venue for you to enjoy at home.

With no grant or government funding and no income since it closed in March, The Y Theatre needs support from you to ensure that it can reopen to the public once it is safe to do so. As well as being a beautiful space and an integral part of Leicester’s music and arts ecosystem, the theatre is uniquely entwined with the work The Y Charity does to support over 100 homeless young people across Leicester.

Tickets are on sale now via Gigantic Tickets. Please choose a ticket based on what you can afford to donate to The Y Theatre’s Fundraiser. TICKETS.

Shakup Records launch event

shakup records leicester

Shakup Records are launching in Clarendon Park on Saturday 15 August. Join the owners from 12pm – 5pm for live music, special guests, drinks and plenty of vinyl based fun. The new shop on Montague Road includes a large range of vinyl plus showcase and teaching space.

Live music at the Pumping Station

Head down for free live music at The Pumping Station on Friday evening. Doors at open at 6pm serving food until late, live music starts at 8:30pm.

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INTERVIEW: AARON HOEY

The lockdown period inspired a lot of people to take up a new skill. Did you get inspired to start something musically?

Following their popularity during lockdown, Aaron Hoey is continuing to offer virtual guitar lessons to beginners as well as more advanced looking to work on their technique or theory. We caught up with him to find out more about it (and how he also recorded guitar for a Take That single!)

What can people expect from the lessons?

First and foremost learning an instrument should be fun and rewarding, so I make sure lessons are just that!  It’s always a good feeling seeing students leave with a smile on their face.  I will also make sure they learn something new each week and they progress at a speed comfortable to them.

guitar lessons leicester

What level are the lessons aimed at? 

Anyone picking up an instrument for the first time through to advanced players who may need help in a specific area like music theory.

Can students learn to play songs by a particular artists or even particular songs? 

Students can learn the songs they want to.  Often students are unsure of where to begin when learning their first songs on guitar but after only a few weeks they will be playing songs by Ed Sheeran, Bob Marley, Coldplay and more with a bit of practice.

Tell us a little bit about your own background in music

I have always loved music and grew up in a musical family and then I moved to London to study for my music degree when I was 18.  When I graduated I began teaching with the London Guitar Academy for many years before finally settling in Leicester.  (The year they won the league, so that was fun). Right now I enjoy teaching, playing with singer songwriters around Leicester and am looking forward to delving more into recording work as well.  I’ve been blessed to play on a Take That single “Out Of Our Heads” last year as well as recording guitar for an acoustic EP of theirs and a TV show coming out soon.  There are lots of exciting projects in the pipeline too so I just need to make sure I keep working hard 🙂

Aaron hoey leicester

Who are some of your favourite artists work to teach to beginners?

Some of the most popular songs with my students are Ed Sheeran “Thinking out Loud”, Guns ‘n Roses “Sweet Child of Mine”, “Fast Car” by Tracey Chapman and “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrisson.

How can people get in touch to find out more about lessons?

The best way is my Facebook page. I also have a Youtube Channel with some video lessons under the name “Aarons Music Hub”, or you can find me on Instagram.

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Enjoy this week’s best of Leicester playlist! We may be out of lockdown but we’ll still be pulling together some of our favourites as well as recommendations to highlight some top local talent.

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

MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK

ppl prs leicester