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Diary Dates
Astrid Williamson – Tuesday 24 September
The Musician
Astrid Williamson was the frontperson for Scottish trio, Goya Dress, in the mid-’90s. After the dissolution of the band in late 1996, Williamson opted to go solo under the alias of her first name. Though a classically trained pianist and confessional-style singer/songwriter with a uniquely haunting and beautiful voice, Astrid’s numerous comparisons to Tori Amos were lazy. Distinctive in her own right, Astrid’s songwriting was more down-to-earth, subtle, and intricate than that of her redheaded peer; Kristin Hersch and Polly Harvey are better touchstones, but even those positive comparisons do little to bottle her artistry.
Indie v Britpop – Saturday 28 September
The Soundhouse
Join live bands ‘BRITPOP UNITED’ and ‘ALL4INDIE’ as they take you on nostalgic journey; re-living the greatest jits of Britpop & Indie. In Set 1 ALL4INDIE will head off through the decades and styles of Indie; with real belters from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, R.E.M, The Killers, The Smiths, Kaiser Chiefs, The Cure… On the 2nd set and it’s all Gazelles & bucket hats as BRITPOP UNITED belt out the biggest Britpop anthems by Oasis, Blur, Pulp, The Stone Roses, Suede, The La’s, Supergrass…
Weller v The Who – Saturday 5 October
The Donkey
Join Heavy Sol, a 5 piece live band from Leicester, as they cover top tunes from the Modfather Paul Weller and The Who. Which act gets your vote?
Gaz Brookfield – Friday 11 October
The Musician
Anti-folk artist and winner of Acoustic Magazines’s UK singer-songwriter competition. His songs are instantly accessible, everyman tales of life, love and everything else in between. Played in a folk-ish style with occasional use of the guitar as a percussive tool, as well as some two handed venturing around the fretboard, Gaz’s simple yet poignant songwriting captures the imagination of the listener.
Punk Rock Factory – Monday 14 October
O2 Academy Leicester
High energy, punk rock powerhouses Punk Rock Factory make easy work of their special brand of punk covers.
Hear them combine everything you love about 1990s/2000s punk rock, and reimagine classic and hit songs like you’ve never heard them before. From Meat Loaf to Disney, nothing is off limits to them.
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FEATURE: Sofar Sounds
Have you heard of Sofar Sounds? The secret gigs that are taking over cities across the globe?
The Sofar Sounds projects is now back in Leicester. Having originally been in the city a few years back, new organisers have now taken over the events. So what exactly is Sofar Sounds? Described as “a global music community that connects artists and audiences through live music.” they bring people together to create space where music matters, and are currently taking place in 400 cities around the world.
The most exciting bit though… you never know where the gigs will take place. Well, not until just before the show.
For those events brought to you from the Leicester organisers, they guarantee all venues are in Leicester, but their exact location isn’t revealed to ticketholders until 36 hours before the show. Plus attendees don’t find out who’s performing until they step up and take the mic.
The Sofar Sounds gigs attract both local and touring artists and you never know who might pop up.
A spokesperson for Sofar Sounds Leicester commented, “The show are a great way for people to discover up and coming artists they wouldn’t usually see, both local and touring artists who travel in for the shows, as well as shine a spotlight on some unique Leicester venues – the shows are usually held in venues you wouldn’t expect to host a gig.”
Solar Sounds is back at a secret Leicester location on Friday 18 October. Tickets are priced at £13 and are available via the Sofar Sounds website. Keep up to date on Instagram @sofarsoundsleicester.
Playlist
Take a listen to our latest weekly playlist and discover some of the acts you can see live in Leicester over the coming weeks.
