Welcome to this week’s Cool As Leicester Weekly Music News, which is brought to you every week in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd. Stay in the know and be the first in line. Every week. 
••••••
NEWS
John Bramwell – The Soundhouse
Saturday 14 March
The Soundhouse welcomes back one of the country’s finest singer songwriters, I Am Kloot’s John Bramwell, as he brings poetry, great guitar playing, a beautiful unique voice and a little chaos to The Soundhouse once again. “Arguably the UK’s finest export” – The New Yorker. TICKETS.
••••••
THIS WEEK
Bring Your Own Vinyl – The Globe
Tuesday 7 January
Head to The Globe on the first Tuesday of every month for Bring Your Own Vinyl night in their back bar room. A great night to talk to like minded people who love music and have a go at spinning your favourite records.
Open Mic – The Soundhouse
Tuesday 7 January (and every Tuesday)
The weekly open mic happens at The Soundhouse every Tuesday night from 7.30pm. The night is hosted by Rhett Barrow and acts are encouraged to arrive early if hoping to get a slot. Each week there’ll be a featured artist play from 9.30 – 10pm, so if you’re wanting to play a longer set then get your name down. Discover some brilliant new acts. The Soundhouse is on Southampton Street in the Cultural Quarter.
Ambush – The Shed
Tuesday 7 January
Yes, your favourite pop-punk and emo night is back at The Shed. Expect a night packed full of Green Day, State Champs, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, The Offspring, Blink 182 and so much more. DJs from 11pm and drinks deals all night.
The Status Trio – The Donkey
Thursday 9 January
Three of Leicester’s finest musicians making some cool jazz improvisations. Featuring Mike Sole – keyboards, Neil Segrot – bass, Dave Anderson – drums. From 8pm, £4 on the door.
Drinks & Jams – The Shed
Thursday 9 January
Every Thursday it’s open mic night at The Shed as they host Drinks & Jams. It kicks off at 7.30pm but you can arrive from 7pm to sign up to play. Each week there is a featured act on at 9.15pm. Friendly atmosphere, drinks offers and a great early start to the weekend.
Footwerk – Apres Lounge
Thursday 9 January
A night all things Disco/House and Techno every Thursday with some of the best up and coming DJs Leicester has to offer along with amazing drinks deals.
Matt Ridley Quartet – Attenborough Arts Centre
Thursday 9 January
Matt Ridley, who last played for Leicester Jazz House as part of the Darius Brubeck Quartet, returns with his own creative and exciting Quintet. The band features multiple poll winning saxophonist Jason Yarde and virtuoso guitarist Ant Law. Expect superb group interplay and inspired individual soloing. TICKETS.
Wailing Badger – The Musician
Friday 10 January
Leicestershire’s Wailing Badger bring their ragtag mix of naughty power-funk with a retro blues edge and sugary dollops of genuine soul. Be prepared for kick ass rock with a difference. TICKETS.
Leicester Jam Night – Riverside Cafe
Friday 10 January
Head down from 6.30pm for the free open mic and jam night. If you fancy performing you’ll be singing for your supper as all performers are gifted free pizza.
Paul Ronney-Angel – The Donkey
Friday 10 January
Since 2003 Mr Angel been the frontman, songwriter and bandleader of London’s The Urban Voodoo Machine. They have toured the world and released 4 critically acclaimed and award-winning albums with their dark and infectious music they call ‘Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop’N’Stroll’. TICKETS.
Easy Life – The Y Theatre
Friday 10 January
Leicester’s biggest rising stars, Easy Life, play 2 intimate shows at the Y. Of course it’s sold out!
Bowie Live: Oddity to Mars – National Space Centre
Friday 10 – Saturday 11 January
A real treat for Bowie fans as this immersive performance to one of the UK’s biggest musical icons takes place in the Planetarium. SOLD OUT.
Duran: The Ultimate Tribute to Duran Duran – The Musician
Saturday 11 January
With almost two decades of experience on the tribute circuit Duran have maintained their reputation as one of the most respected Duran Duran Tribute bands in the world. TICKETS.
Jackie James – The Black Horse (Braunstone Gate)
Saturday 11 January
Jackie James plays covers & her own material – energetic, vibrant, soulful and bright. Free entry, music from 9pm.
Spellbound – Firebug
Saturday 11 January
SPELLBOUND club-night is the ultimate gathering for fans of darker Alternative and Goth based music. Expect to hear Goth, Post-Punk, Alternative 80’s, Electro & Industrial sounds from the likes of: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, The Cure, The Cult, Killing Joke, The Mission, Sisters Of Mercy, Gary Numan, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, and loads more. From 10.30pm.
Semper Vera – The Shed
Saturday 11 January
Alternative Rock outfit, Semper Vera return to The Shed for a headline show as part of their UK tour. Support comes from Bristol metal band, Vicarage and Leicester’s Scumbag Lion. TICKETS.
Open Mic – The Western
Sunday 12 January
Open mic returns to The Western and this month’s featured performer is Adam Olinski. Music from 8pm, but arrive a little earlier to guarantee a spot. All styles welcome.
••••••
DIARY DATES
Temples – O2 Academy Leicester
Wednesday 4 March
In support of their new album ‘Hot Motion’, Kettering’s Psychedelia outfit Temples return to the o2 Academy Leicester in March. TICKETS.
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – The Cookie
Saturday 7 March 2020
Known for their wild, energetic concerts, the American alternative rock band hail from Austin, Texas. The chief members of the band are Jason Reece and Conrad Keely, who both alternate between drumming, guitar and lead vocals, both on recordings and live shows. TICKETS.
Battles – The Y Theatre
Tuesday 5 May 2020
From Brooklyn, New York, Battles are an angular and highly experimental band who have garnered a reputation as some of the most skilled and innovative musicians of their time, helping them to garner a worldwide audience. Pushing the sonic limits of how conventional instruments and electronics meld, they’re coming to Leicester off the back of a tour support slot with Foals. TICKETS.
••••••
SPOTLIGHT
Brand new event, Together, celebrates the local music scene
Later this month a selection of Leicester’s finest musical talent will take over the O2 Academy for the inaugural Together one dayer event. Presented by The Cookie, Firebug and O2 Academy Leicester, the multi-stage one day festival will feature 24 bands across 3 stages. We caught up with promoter, Nik Sharpe, to find out more about the event (and find out the scoop on another brand new event coming up later this year).
Together is a new event on the Leicester music scene, can you tell us a little about what people can expect?
This event is a coming together of the Leicester music scene and a showcase of some of the awesome talent we have in the city. Since the loss of Simon Says, we’ve lost that large scale event that showcases local artists. We hope we can fill that gap and give acts the opportunity to play on the main stage at the O2 Academy with high end production.
Handmade Festival is having a year off in 2020, do you see Together as a similar event to Handmade?
Together is its own event and celebrates all things Leicester where as Handmade focuses on emerging bands and big headliners from around the world.
The Cookie & Firebug are launching a new event to fill the Handmade void in 2020, DSCVR on Saturday 16th May. This event will be held across multiple stages at O2 Academy Leicester and Leicester University with a focus on the best new bands and some of personal favourites from shows we’ve promoted in the last 12 months. The full line up for DSCVR will be announced at the end of January.
How difficult was it to create the line-up for Together?
Very tough as we have a limited amount of slots and there is so much talent in the city. It’s great to see so many acts coming through at the moment, the scene is in a great place.
You’re also partnering with other Leicester independents and creatives, including Realms of Rummage. How important are those collaborations for an event like Together?
Leicester’s creative scene is really happening at the moment and there are so many interesting studios, artists and collectives popping up. We wanted to add another element to the music and with Realms of Rummage, Nikki and her team will showcase the best in local makers.
As we enter a new year, what else can people look forward to from the local music scene in 2020?
We’re really excited about the launch of DSCVR and we feel it can be a new festival that puts Leicester on the map for the place to see the best up and coming music. We’re also working on the music programme for The Dome In the summer and expect that to go from strength to strength after sold out shows with British Sea Power and BC Camplight last year. As ever we will be bringing exciting emerging and established artists to The Cookie, Firebug and O2 Academy throughout the year.
Which new acts should people be keeping an eye on?
CJ Pandit and Mouth Culture are two really exciting local acts. Expect to see loads from them on a national level in 2020. Easy Life & Mahalia have created a path for local acts to follow and prove you can make it from your home in Leicester.
Sum up Together in 5 words…
Celebrating Leicester’s Awesome Music Scene
Tickets for Together are on sale now from Ticketmaster priced at only £12. £12 for a packed day of music with 24 bands and a local makers fair… Bargain!