This weekly music guide is brought to you in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd. Big thanks for their ongoing support of local acts and venues.

Stay in the know and be the first in line. Every week.

Diary Dates

Fred’s House – Wednesday 21 December
The Musician

Fred’s House are an award winning band based in Cambridge. They make summery, 70’s West Coast inspired folk/rock but have their own distinctively fresh sound that is very much part of now. This group of musicians have the rare ability to sweep you away with their gorgeous three part harmonies, moving lyrics, infectious melodies and uplifting grooves. Among their many influences are bands such as Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Swell Season and C.S.N.Y.

The Paradimes – Friday 23 December
The Musician

The Paradimes are a reggae and ska band from Leicester, who use the traditional styles of the 60’s and 70’s reggae and ska legends in todays era of music. The Paradimes are an original reggae and ska band, writing their own material which has spanned over more than 10 years of playing together, with the song writing abilities going from strength to strength.

Drugstore Cowboys Boxing Day Bash – Monday 26 December
The Donkey

The traditional Drugstore Cowboys Boxing Day Bash returns once again to the Donkey! Expect a fun packed house with some top guests from Leicesters music scene!

Slade UK – Wednesday 28 December
The Musician

Time to get festive! Once thought impossible, Slade UK recreate the experience of a real Slade show with all the power of the original band. Once seen, never forgotten. Relive a time when Noddy and the lads were the best live rock & roll band in the world.

••••

PREVIEW: Beans on Toast returns to Leicester

Following the runaway success of his extended UK tour in 2022, cult hero, Beans on Toast, is already plotting his return with a “mahoosive ramble” in the works for 2023. Including a Leicester date in February.

One man and his guitar with songs to sing and stories to tell, fans in Leicester will be able to catch him performing at The Soundhouse on Sunday 26 February 2023.

Speaking about the upcoming tour Beans says:

“Folk music is an age-old art form, and it’s more relevant than ever in these wild and crazy modern times. You can expect an inspiring and entertaining gig, a relaxed and fun affair that leaves you feeling like you’ve met up with an old friend, and you’re all the better for it.”

Since 2005, Beans on Toast has written simple songs about complicated subjects. Tackling the big issues of the day but doing so with his feet firmly on the ground, he’s become a people’s champ of the modern folk scene and amassed a huge back catalogue of songs in the process.

An unrepentant optimist whose songs celebrate all that is wonderful about the human spirit, his live shows are similarly uplifting and have taken him from sold out headline shows in the UK to the stages of major international festivals across the globe.

Releasing his latest studio album in 2021, ‘Survival of the Friendliest’, the record proved a hit with fans and critics alike, with RNR Magazine championing the record as “rather special…The lyrics shimmer with Beans’ trademark of truth and humour”, whereas Louder Than War hailed it as “the perfect antidote to re-energise us all”.

As Christmas comes round once again, it seems the perfect opportunity to re-share his Christmas single recorded with Skinny Lister.

Tickets for the gig at The Soundhouse on Sunday 26 February are on sale now.

••••

WEEKLY PLAYLIST

This week’s playlist features a mix of Leicester talent and some local festive numbers thrown in too.

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