COOL AS LEICESTER

Music fans, we’re here with your weekly Leicester music guide featuring news and interviews from across the local scene.

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

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DIARY DATES

Spacetoast – Saturday 28 August
The Shed

The indie-grunge 4 piece play their final gig at The Shed. Their nostalgic and witty lyrics mixed with early 2000s-esque guitar riffs and heavy drums has been a hit on the local scene. Support from Earls. TICKETS.

The ShowHawk Duo – Thursday 2 September
O2 Academy2

Young British guitarists Mikhail Asanovic and Jake Wright, together known as The Showhawk Duo, have dazzled audiences worldwide with their spectacular approach to playing the guitar. Their playing style has broken down barriers between acoustic and electronic music. They have re-thought traditional musical structure creating their own all-encompassing genre. Whether playing old-school trance classics or modern funky house, their live show knows no boundaries and will leave you amazed. TICKETS.

The Primitives – Thursday 2 September
Firebug

Probably best known for their 1988 top 5 hit ‘Crash’, The Primitives continue to tour across the UK and Europe with their popular power blend of noisy, jangly pop. TICKETS.

Regime – Saturday 4 September
Duffy’s

Consisting of two sets of brothers and a Spaniard, Regime play heavy hip-hop mixed with dancehall, reggae and rock. Conscious (and often hilarious) social commentary combined with heavy reggae bass lines, slick hip-hop riffs and a consistently danceable groove make Regime a perfect party band. TICKETS.

How’s life been for Goldwater post-lockdown?

It all feels a little bit surreal still! It’s still hard to believe that all forms of live entertainment have been on hold for so long and it’s a relief to finally get back to doing what we love. Luckily, rehearsals have gone really well and we’re attacking our songs with a new found fever since being locked down for so long.

Tell us about your Bank Holiday event at Firebug…

It’s our first hometown show in over 3 and a half years so we’re well overdue a return to Leicester. This show has been rescheduled 4 times now so we’re really looking forward to it finally happening. The gig is free entry with bands playing throughout the day and well into the night. It’s being held in the downstairs bar which always creates a really electric atmosphere. Luckily, being a Bank Holiday everyone gets a day off to nurse hangovers!

You’re playing alongside The Whisky Rebellion, how good is it to see other local acts back on stage?

We’re over the moon to be playing alongside these guys! It’s been a long time coming as I think our energetic and raucous styles will compliment each other really well – it’ll be non stop dancing for a good two hours. The rest of the line up is looking incredible too and is slowly being teased out on the Firebug Facebook page.

Have you played many shows since restrictions lifted?

We’ve played two gigs so far – both at The Flying Circus, Newark which is a brilliant live music venue ran by lovely folks who are really passionate about live music. Both shows were understandably a little more subdued than our usual shows but that worked well as we could concentrate a little more on the music and really get to practise the songs after not playing them for so long. Saying that, one show still ended up with me hanging from the rafters running over tables so there was still some action!

What can people expect from the event?

I think we have a lot of pent up energy to release as this is our first real, late night full on gig. We’ve really honed our live show by playing lots of eccentric festivals se we’re keen to bring than hedonistic festival vibe to our venue shows where possible. The event itself will feature a whole host of Leicester musicians who are all really eager to put on a night to remember.

How would you describe Goldwater to someone who’s never heard you?

An exciting, energetic sermon of twisted rock and roll that will cleanse your soul! Or after lockdown it might look a bit more like 4 aging men trying to stay fit enough to flail around wildly on stage!

What would you say to someone who hasn’t made the step out to watching live music again yet?

I think people have to make the decision that’s right for them in the current climate. If you’re comfortable going out, go for it – the events industry need your support! However, If you’re not quite ready yet, then that’s absolutely fine too. The most important thing in all this is we need to pull together and support everyone. After all, we’ve just been through a pretty horrendous rollercoaster so be kind to others.

Which other local acts are you looking forward to seeing over the coming months?

I think I’m more excited about just getting out into venues and experiencing the music scene in general. Just soak up the atmosphere of being around like minded people enjoying music. Bands I really enjoyed before lockdown and look forward to catching again are The People’s Assembly, Earls, Homeless Shakespeare and Luke Broughton. I’m also hoping for a big Easy Life hometown show as they are really killing it right now.

Last time we chatted you were doing your Vinyl Shakedown podcast, how’s that been going?

Yeah it’s kind of taken a bit of a backseat unfortunately. I’ve still been collecting and geeking out on records but not found time to record the shows. I’ll endeavour to change that though as I really enjoyed doing them.

Where can people keep up to date with what you’re up to?

Well, unfortunately our Goldwater Facebook page has currently been hacked and it looks like we might not get back in which is a bit of a nightmare! We’ll have to resort to smoke signals and carrier pigeons for the time being! Failing that, www.instagram.com/goldwaterleicester or www.instagram.com/vinylshakedown

GoldWater will be performing at Firebug as part of the all-day bank holiday at Firebug on Sunday 29 August. Free entry. 

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Each week we bring you a brand new playlist selection. Enjoy some local favourites and a few of Grant’s picks in his interview.

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

MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK