COOL AS LEICESTER

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Diary Dates

The Virginmarys – Saturday 30 April
The Soundhouse

The Virginmarys exploded onto the rock music scene in 2013 with their album ‘King of Conflict’, which debuted #3 on the Billboard New Artist Alternative Chart and #8 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. With ‘King of Conflict’, The Virginmarys were dubbed the buzz band of SXSW, received major support from US Active Rock and Alternative radio, and press acclaim from Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, USA Today, and more. The band followed up with 2016’s Divides which, in addition to major press, was hailed by Apple Music, Spotify, Yahoo! Music, and more. The Virginmarys have brought their highly charged live show to tours throughout the US, Europe, and Japan, supporting artists including Queens of the Stone Age, Shinedown, Eagles of Deathmetal, Crobot, and hitting huge festivals to include Reading & Leeds, Download Festival, Sonisphere, Isle of Wight Festival, and more.

Ian Siegal – Sunday 1 May
The Musician

He’s the British Blues Hall of Famer, seven-times British Blues Awards winner, two-times European Blues Awards winner, USA Blues Music Awards nominee and feted by everyone from Mojo to Classic Rock. He is also the only non-American to make an appearance in the much-acclaimed film Take Me To The River, which tracks the influence of the Memphis music scene.

JP Cooper – Friday 6 May
O2 Academy Leicester

Playing a blend of folk, blues, soul and gospel; JP Cooper is an intriguing prospect amongst aspiring British singer-songwriters. Listening to him perform, either alone or with his band, bears witness to an honesty, intensity and power evoked via the simplest of orchestration. His soulfully expressive, unique vocal style, the kind that cuts through a room to hush a chattering crowd in seconds, is utterly bewitching. His unexpected vocal flights hardly prepare you for the intimacy and empathy to follow, and coupled with a clutch of sensational songs, you will find it almost impossible to believe that he has only been writing seriously for two years and performing solo for barely one.

The Paradimes – Friday 6 May
The Donkey

The Paradimes return home to where it all started, The Donkey. Playing favourites from both of their studio albums plus brand new material and a carefully selected mix of quirky cover versions.

Mouth Culture – Saturday 7 May
The Y Theatre

Leicester’s hottest new band? They might just be. Mouth Culture take a deep dive into each phase of love and friendship through honest words and honest music.

Packed with rock, punk and soul, The Virginmarys headline The Soundhouse this weekend. We caught up with them to find out what’s in store.

How would you describe The VirginMarys for anyone who isn’t familiar with the band?

Authentic, raw power, a full on mix of rock, punk and soul.

Which 3 bands would be listed in your “for fans of” section?

Idles, White Stripes, Slaves

What can people expect from your upcoming gig at The Soundhouse?

One of the best gigs they’ll see this year. An explosion of energy, hooks and power.

What has been your highlight since being in the band?

We’ve had many, a few would be playing main stage at Leeds/Reading festival, extensively touring the US and playing with Slash and Queens Of The Stoneage.

If someone is listening to the band for the first time which track should they put on first?

The Meds.

What else do you have coming up in 2022?

New music releases, festivals and a tour of UK and Europe.

Where can people find out more?

Keep up to date on Facebook and give us a listen on Spotify.

 

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

In this week’s playlist you can listen to some of the best acts you can catch live in Leicester over the coming weeks.

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