Welcome to this week’s Cool As Leicester Weekly Music News and gig guide, 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. 
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NEWS
Gengahr – O2 Academy
Friday 16 October
Gengahr create effortlessly smooth and melodic indie-rock that journeys along a laidback sun-kissed path with a sound that could easily stem from influences drawn from icons such as The Smiths and Modest Mouse, to the more recently revered Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Youth Lagoon. Tickets on sale on Friday.
New acts added to Wide Eyed Festival
Saturday 16 May
Leicester’s newest music festival has announced that Warmduscher, Working Men’s Club, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, The People Assembly and Chubby & the Gang will be joining the line-up alongside Squid, The Orielles, Beak> and more. TICKETS.
Cast – O2 Academy
Saturday 26 September
Indie royalty, Cast, are back to play their album ‘All Change’ in full plus all the hits. Tickets on sale on Thursday.
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THIS WEEK
Open Mic – The Soundhouse
Tuesday 10 March (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.
Acoustic Tuesdays – The Black Horse (Blaby)
Tuesday 10 March (and every Tuesday)
Every Tuesday at 8.30pm a friendly group of music lovers meet in the bar, to play, sing or just to listen to an informal acoustic session. FREE ENTRY.
David Keenan – The Cookie
Tuesday 10 March
The young Irishman, who counts Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol) and Glen Hansard (The Frames) among his growing legion of followers, has been busy. Putting the finishing touches to his debut album, due for release early in the new year, as well as delighting festival-goers – both at home and in Europe – with his spell-binding storytelling and arresting song-craft. TICKETS.
Robbie Cavanagh – The Musician
Tuesday 10 March
Robbie Cavanagh performs melodic, haunting yet beautiful music, combining his intricate guitar playing with powerful, emotive lyrics. Featuring Demi Marriner and welcoming all ages. TICKETS.
The Boys are Back – De Montfort Hall
Wednesday 11 March
The boys are back! Boyband favourites, 5ive, A1, Damage and 911 are hitting the road together, bringing you a hit-packed show of pop classics. Four acts, one unforgettable night. TICKETS.
Glen Matlock – Helsinki
Wednesday 11 March
Join Glen Matlock and Earl Slick & Slim Jim at Helsinki. Punk rock veteran Glen Matlock made his name as original bassist and key creative force in The Sex Pistols. In recent years, Matlock has added stints with Earl Slick’s Slinky Vagabond, the Mike Peters fronted Dead Men Walking, and even the reformed Faces to an eclectic, ever-expanding rock ‘n’ roll CV, and has also established his own group The Philistines.
Footwerk – Apres Lounge
Thursday 12 March
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.
The Jacques – The Cookie
Thursday 12 March
A Britpop / rock band from Bristol whose influences include Pixies, The Kinks and Elvis Costello. The band have signed to Gary Powell’s (The Libertines) ’25 Hour Convenience Store’ record label. “Think Ray Davies at his most acerbic, think Paul Weller at his most romantic” – Clash magazine. TICKETS
Drinks & Jams – The Shed
Thursday 12 March
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 way to start the week.
Ann Duggan – The Musician
Thursday 12 March
Excellent blues and jazz vocals from a lady who has been described as having the strength of Janis Joplin and the subtlety of Eva Cassidy. Doors open at 8pm TICKETS,
72% – The Soundhouse
Thursday 12 March
72% are a 3 piece noise rock band from Northampton. They formed 10 years ago with the intention of making joyfully ugly music. After 2 albums & 3 EPs the band decided to take a new approach to writing and let their darker and more unsettling sound grow. TICKETS.
Keep It Cash – The Musician
Friday 13 March
The only tribute show with the Voice and Sound of Johnny Cash touring since 2002. They have starred as the voice of Johnny Cash for a British Telecom TV advert and were booked by 20th Century Fox for the British launch of the film “Walk The Line”. Still believe that evil things happen on Friday 13th why not challenge yourself and be brave and come to the Musician? TICKETS
The Dirty Carpet Band – The Queen of Bradgate
Friday 13 March
Join this six-piece live covers band as they perform some of your best loved hits from Stevie Wonder, The Jam, Daft Punk, The Killers and more. Free entry.
GUNK – The Shed
Friday 13 March
GUNK are a 3 piece midlands based original hard rock/grunge band. Their influences include Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Silverchair, Slaves, Green Day, Wolf Alice and even some heavier stuff like Metallica and Slayer. Anything from the grunge scene is their kinda thing, and they look to give a fresh take on new wave grunge with energetic riffs and massive stage presence. TICKETS.
Salt House – The Guildhall
Friday 13 March
Salt House are an acoustic folk group hailing from Scotland. Their highly current sound is earthy, deep-rooted, yet eagerly progressive, built from grassroots folk with contemporary influences. The trio continue their love of recording “on location” with their latest album, taking themselves to rural Argyllshire to finish writing and recording the songs which were crafted between their homes of Inverness-shire and Shetland. TICKETS
The Stones – The Y Theatre
Friday 13 March
With all the energy and charisma of The Rolling Stones themselves, ‘The Stones’ pay an accurate and faithful tribute to the sound and look of an authentic Rolling Stones show. Far from being simply ‘look-alikes’; though, ‘The Stones’ have the closest Mick Jagger look-alike on the scene, the group also pay great attention to the sound and feel of the music, all performed with the same accuracy, passion, energy and verve of the originals. TICKETS.
Glastonbudget auditions – The Soundhouse
Friday 13 March
Enjoy a brilliant night of live music, featuring local acts and top covers bands, as they battle it out for a slot at this year’s Glastonbudget. £5 on the door.
Live Fridays – Natterjacks
Friday 13 March
Kick off your weekend with live music and 2 for 1 cocktails at Natterjacks.
Echolocation – The Musician
Saturday 14 March
A seven piece, Leicester based art-rock group, formed out of the ashes of the popular Bocca. Pop-punk band employ spoken-word style social commentary backed by multi-textured, sometimes abrasive rock music. TICKETS
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.
King Purple – The Shed
Saturday 14 March
King Purple mix psychedelia and grunge, grounded by undertones of indie rock – they’ve supported the likes of post-punk Dubliners, Fontaines DC, the energetic spirits of Dream Wife and also shared the stage with Fatherson to name a few. 2019 saw the guys release their debut EP ‘Time Alone’ in May, releasing their first music video and most recently dropping their latest single ‘Warning Signs’, 2020 is full of big plans and their first trip to Leicester of the year is set to be a special event! TICKETS.
Andy Griffiths – The Black Horse
Saturday 14 March
Andy Griffiths returns to The Black Horse on Braunstone Gate to soothe your Saturday night with original tunes and popular covers. From 9pm. Free entry.
The Magic Mod – The Cookie
Saturday 14 March
The Magic Mod has been on tour with The Libertines, Reverend and the Makers and Pete Doherty as well as performing magic to some of rock n roll’s finest icons including Paul Weller, Liam Gallagher, DMA’S, Shed Seven, Shaun Ryder and many more. Join him at The Cookie as he performs magic, shares some stories and ends the evening on the decks. TICKETS.
Britpop Lives Forever – Firebug
Saturday 14 March
Enjoy a night of your favourite tunes, featuring the best 90s indie anthems. Expect to hear Oasis, James, Cast, The Verve, The La’s, Primal Scream, Blur, Pulp and much more. From 9pm – 3am. £5 entry.
Amped Road Trip – The Shed
Saturday 14 March
Come to The Shed on Saturday for The inaugural Amplified ‘Road Trip’, showcasing the best in U.K. talent whilst supporting the national grassroots music scene and those venues that host the ‘big’ bands before they get to headline the academies, arenas and festivals. Featuring Cabin Boy Jumped Ship. TICKETS.
U2-2 – Boxxed
Saturday 14 March
U2-2 are the world’s longest running U2 tribute show. Formed by current members under the name ‘Achtung Baby’ the band have performed over 2000 concerts, spanning three continents! Known as the best tribute to U2, with attention to sounds, equipment and stage presence, they are the real-deal. TICKETS.
Twin Atlantic – O2 Academy
Sunday 15 March 2020
The Glaswegian quartet are back with the charming style of vocalist Sam McTrustry and their much loved heavy rock anthems. They’ve also announced a new upcoming album as they release their first new material since 2016. TICKETS.
Open Mic – Mill Hill Cask & Coffee
Sunday 15 March
Hosted by Myles Knight, enjoy the Sunday afternoon open mic from 2pm. Each performer gets a free drink.
Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar – The Musician
Monday 16 March
Greg and Ciaran have taken the British folk music scene by storm, clinching two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. With two widely acclaimed studio albums on the Fellside label to their credit (The Queen’s Lover and The Call) and a live DVD (In Concert) they really have fulfilled their promise. Now here is your chance to see them in person, come to the Musician and enjoy the show. TICKETS.
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DIARY DATES
Leicester Artists Relief for Australia – Various venues
Sunday 22 March
Leicester artists are uniting to raise funds for 2 independent sanctuaries that were devastated by the recent fires in Australia, Goongerah Wombat Orphanage and Cobargo Wildlife Sanctuary. Artists including Uncle Frank, Jersey Budd, The Whiskey Rebellion, Elysian and more will be performing across Firebug, Duffy’s, The Soundhouse, The Cookie and The Music Cafe with wristbands for all venues just £15. TICKETS.
Circa Waves – O2 Academy
Tuesday 31 March
Known for their nervy, melodic indie rock, Circa Waves first gained buzz in the 2010’s with hooky singles like ‘Get Away’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’. Centered on lead singer/songwriter Kieran Shudall, the Liverpudlians earned favourable comparisons to the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Vaccines. They’re touring in support of their brand new album ‘Sad Happy’. TICKETS.
Forgotten Futures – Attenborough Arts Centre
Saturday 30 May 2020
A new all day event from The Robot Needs Home Collective taking over all of the Attenborough Arts Centre, and filling them with music and art – often simultaneously. Expect exciting acts, interesting music, intriguing art and more. Early bird tickets on sale now. TICKETS.
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MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK
