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Diary Dates
Alternativ Karaoke – Every Friday
The Shed
Get Friday night done right with Alternativ Karaoke! From 10pm – late you can take over The Vault stage at The Shed and jump around like your favourite rock star. Alternativ Karaoke is all about the big anthems, so whether you’re pop punk or hardcore, get warming up those vocal cords.
Declan McKenna – Monday 8 April
De Montfort Hall
“UK indie troubadour, a little bit oikish and with a nifty talent for mainstream melody” – NME.
Young Hertfordshire Indie-Rock singer-songwriter Declan McKenna began booking his own gigs at the age of just 14, recording whole albums in his bedroom and winning the Glastonbury Emerging Competition back in 2015. Since then, Declan has worked on material with producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, and Florence and the Machine) and entertaining the masses with his energetic live shows.
Cassyette – Wednesday 10 April
O2 Academy Leicester
‘If Vince Neil from the Motley Crue had impregnated Dolly Parton in the Viper Room one wild night of the 90s- then Cassyette would be their offspring.’ Honestly, this is the best description we’ve ever heard, and quite frankly never heard one to encompass an act more, just listen to Cassyette and trust us you’ll get it.
Millie Manders & The Shut Up – Friday 12 April
The Musician
Millie Manders and The Shutup create cross-genre punk that is hard to ignore. With lyricism that pokes fun, draws you in or leaves you questioning social norms teamed with incredible vocal dexterity, grinding guitars, irresistible horn hooks and a pumping rhythm section, the Millie Manders Music Machine churns out more raw punk fusion than you can shake a stick at, with a huge amount of Pop appeal.
CJ Pandit – Sunday 14 April
The Big Difference
CJ Pandit is an ArtPop performer who crafts songs for movies that were never made and places that you’ve never been. Working and living between London, New York and his hometown here in Leicester, Cj has spent the majority of his life floating through different scenes, cities and circumstances. He is inevitably informed by heartbreak, longing and a search for meaning between the cracks in our day to day lives.
Ocean Colour Scene – Friday 17 May
O2 Academy Leicester
Ocean Colour Scene’s rip-roaring live shows have long been one of the most extraordinary sights in modern rock, which boast the most life affirming sing-a-longs you’ll ever hear. They lit up the Britpop party, chalking up three Top five albums – Moseley Shoals, Marchin’ Already and 1999’s One From The Modern with a run of Top 20 single’s including the immortal “The Riverboat Song”.
James Walsh – Friday 17 May
The Soundhouse
AKA the frontman of indie troubadours Starsailor. Older, wiser – and a father – he’s looking forward to “doing something different for a while”, setting off in a different ship but touching people once again, which could include anything from writing more songs with Suzanne Vega or fulfilling a lifetime ambition to write with Shelby Lynne.
••••
INTERVIEW: Booze & Blues brings new festival to Stoughton Grange
The inaugural Booze & Blues festival is coming to Stoughton Grange (LE2) this May, with a selection of live music artists alongside a brilliant selection of craft beers, gins, entertainment, and more. All situated on site at Stoughton Grange alongside The Cow & Plough.
With the event plans taking shape and tickets on sale now, we caught up with the main guy at Stoughton Grange, Billy Allingham, to find out more about it.
Tell us about the line-up and what people can expect?
The festival boasts a stellar lineup featuring some of the hottest blues bands around. On Friday night, kick off the weekend with The Daddies, Dirty Ruby, and the sensational King Brasstards.
Saturday and Sunday are packed with more incredible acts, including Karen Macleod, PJ Bakers Blues Irregulars, Big Wolf Band, and the legendary John Coghlan’s Quo Reimagined. John Coghlan, the legendary drummer who laid down the rhythm for Status Quo during their iconic years from the late 60s to the early 80s.
Sunday wraps up the festivities with the soulful tunes of Delta Aces, The Lucky Bag 3, Strange Blues, Holly and the Hounds, Ansley Lister (one of the UK’s hottest contemporary blues guitarists – many consider him to be among the best in the world), and a grand finale with the Blues Brothers Tribute Act.
What about the beers – will you be showcasing local breweries and other exciting producers?
Our handpicked selection includes Round Corner, where innovation meets tradition, Mill Hill Brewing Company, known for their commitment to quality, Leather Britches Brewery, serving up bold and distinctive flavours, Steamin’ Billy, a name synonymous with characterful ales, Everards, a brewing legacy with a contemporary twist, and Charnwood Brewery, where passion and craftsmanship collide.
How much of a journey has it been to develop to site at Stoughton Grange?
After 25 years of neglect it has been challenging to expose the site once again
What’s your favourite thing about the site?
The amazing Lebanese cedar trees by the lake
The Cow & Plough is also on site, will the pub be part of the festival experience?
It certainly will. The Cow & Plough will be open throughout the weekend and will be hosting our after party band every evening at 10pm – 11pm. On the Saturday we will be serving up a fish & Chip takeaway between 3-6pm.
Is it family friendly?
Yes! although our target market is predominately adult we do welcome children to come and join in the fun.
Tell us in 5 words why we should get a ticket?
Stellar: Bands, atmosphere, and experience.
How much are tickets and where can people buy them?
Tickets can be purchased through www.boozeandblues.co.uk or https://buytickets.at/stoughtongrangefarmpark/1069142/r/coolasleicester
|
Ticket Type |
Price |
|
3 Day Pass |
£80 |
|
2 Day Pass |
£60 |
|
Friday |
£25 |
|
Saturday |
£40 |
|
Sunday |
£40 |
|
Childrens Tickets |
|
|
3 Day |
£30 |
|
2 Day |
£20 |
|
Friday |
£10 |
|
Saturday |
£15 |
|
Sunday |
£10 |
|
Under 3’s |
FOC |
|
Camping options |
|
|
Tent (up to 6 people) |
£40 |
|
Camper (up to 6 people) |
£50 |
PLAYLIST
Check out our latest Listen up Leicester playlist highlighting some of the best acts you can see in Leicester over the coming weeks.
