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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.
High Fade – Thursday 29 February
The Soundhouse
On a three-man crusade to set dance floors alight with their inimitable brand of razor-sharp funk and disco, High Fade can already count Jack Black, Cypress Hill, Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes and Brad Wilk from Rage Against the Machine as fans. With over one thousand gigs now under their belt, High Fade’s refined, infectious live performances have become an integral part of the band’s DNA, allowing them to put on a show that supersedes anything their fans have seen before!
The Zutons – Friday 1 March
O2 Academy
The Liverpool band known for their big, ballsy anthems brimming with urgent saxophone and meaty riffs; swampy rhythms and pop to jump around to. The Zutons scored two Top 10 hits with Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? and Valerie which went on to become one of Amy Winehouse’s biggest hits produced by Mark Ronson.
Sub Focus – Saturday 9 March
O2 Academy
From his beginnings as a bedroom DJ five years ago, to headlining the Glade stage at Glastonbury in 2010, Nick Douwma, better known as Sub Focus, has become one of the most interesting, innovative and important voices working in British electronic music today. Douwma has created compositions for Chase & Status (Flashing Lights) and Example (Kickstarts), remixed The Prodigy, Deadmau5 and Dizzee Rascal, while his own tracks (including Airplane, X-Ray, Rock It, Could This Be Real) have won Sub Focus fans in the form of Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Grooverider and Mistajam.
Holly Humberstone – Tuesday 12 March
O2 Academy
From uploading music to BBC Introducing to performing at festivals & shows around the UK, Holly has already caught the attention of Lewis Capaldi, who she is due to go on tour with this February.
Taking inspiration from Damien Rice, Lorde, Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, HAIM and everyone in between, Holly’s style has an honest and conversational tone which immediately steals your attention, fusing the warmth of the acoustic music Holly grew up listening to with a darker, wonky electronic twist.
The Glass Hearts – Friday 15 March
The Big Difference
A band born from the collision of two rising musicians in their own right – Tommy Cobley (former frontman or Leicester band, Arcades, who in the past toured UK & Europe, playing festivals and supporting the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen), and Charlie Cole (previously lead guitarist in Stockport band Kashmere) combined their musical talents at the beginning of 2022 – the pair were quickly confirmed to support Miles Kane & Jamie Webster and The Glass Hearts were thrust into the world.
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INTERVIEW: Michael Vickers hosts new acoustic night at Upstairs at The Western
There’s a wonderful range of musical talent in Leicestershire, and a new monthly acoustic night aims to unearth some more of those gems. Local performer, Michael Vickers, hosts a new monthly night at Upstairs at The Western, intended to showcase local acoustic talent. Whether you want to kick start your weekend at a show, or perhaps you want to apply to perform, we caught up with Michael to find out more about it.
How has the new acoustic night been going since it launched?
We’ve ran one so far, and it was brilliant! There will be one every first Friday of the month. It was great to see people on seats as we knew being slightly out of town and it all being a new thing that it may be a quiet one. We’re hoping it will only build from here. For the first show, I opened the night with a few songs before watching Nour play an unbelievable set, followed by Joshua Hartshorn who impressed the crowd with his Morrisey esq lyrics and dry banter – he’s a modest guy which is instantly likeable – I then played a few songs to end the night- it was great!
How are the artists selected to perform?
I have been asking artists I’m aware of to send recommendations of some new young and up and coming artists. I’ve also selected some artists from gigs I’ve played with them, and have asked artists to please message me on facebook or insta if they’d be keen. The response has been great! I wish I could have them all on for a set!
Can local artists apply to perform at future events?
Of course, as I mentioned they’re more than welcome to drop me a message on facebook or instagram (@michaelvickersmusic). One thing I would say is that this is aimed at new up and coming artists, preferably from the Leicester area 🙂
What’s your favourite thing about Upstairs at The Western as a venue?
I just think it’s fantastic, I used it as the venue for my Live Acoustic album “A Life In a Day” launch show. I liked the idea of being sat there with just me and the guitar, performing to an audience of people listening to every word and note. I felt this would work better for the album launch than a busy pub/ music venue where people would be talking etc. When you’re in that room it really feels like you’re putting on a show, I like that and I’d have loved that as a concept for a gig when I was a much younger musician!
Who are some of your favourite local acoustic acts?
I was really blown away with Nour, she’s one to watch. Andrea Kenny’s great, as well and really gets the audience on board! I’ve gotta give a shoutout to Siobhan Mazzei too – she’s doing a lot of band stuff but she plays a mean guitar!
What can people expect from the next event?
So for the next event we have Andrew Moran (who I gigged with late last year at The Big Difference) and Roz Devlin-Macgregor who was recommended to me from another Leicester musician. Keep an eye out for some fine guitar playing from Andrew, and the beautiful tone of Roz’s voice. It’s gonna be a good ‘un.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are £8 and worth every penny! I’ll start the night by playing a few new ones and then Andrew and Roz will be there doing their thing!
New Acoustics will run for the next few months and I’m really excited to how it progresses, I’ve loved taking on the role of providing acts for a gig! Also look out for a second live acoustic album from me at Upstairs at The Western sometime this year! 🙂
New Acoustics will next be at Upstairs at The Western on Friday 1 March. Tickets are £8 and are available HERE.
