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
Government advice on music and entertainment venues
Following the Coronavirus outbreak the public have been advised by the government to stay at home as much as possible. Pubs, bars, music venues and theatres have not been officially shut down so many are choosing to remain open but their programming schedule is likely to be limited with cancellations possible at short notice. Please ensure you check with all venues before heading out.
British Sea Power – O2 Academy
Saturday 27 June
A welcome return to Leicester for British Sea Power. The six piece hail from Brighton and Cumbria and their style encompasses sweeping and often epic guitar pop with more visceral, angular and esoteric noises and instruments. TICKETS.
Porridge Radio – The Cookie
Wednesday 3 June
The Brighton four-piece’s second album ‘Every Bad’ came out last week, and was been named Best New Music by Pitchfork, so make sure you check them out! TICKETS.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – O2 Academy
Saturday 21 November
A five piece psychedelic noise / heavy rock band from Newcastle-upon-Tyne combining stoner, sludge, psych and doom metal. Think Sabbath meets Motorhead meets Mastodon. TICKETS.
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THIS WEEK
PLEASE CHECK ALL VENUES FOR INDIVIDUAL SHOW UPDATES.
O2 Academy
Saturday 21 March
The Urban Voodoo Machine
Led by the darkly charismatic, Norwegian-born Paul-Ronney Angel, The Urban Voodoo Machine is a supremely talented collective of London-based musicians who have been bringing the spirit of the carnie to an ever-growing audience of dedicated fans these past few years. Sounding like they should be from the Deep South, the band are self-styled purveyors of ‘Bourbon-soaked Gypsy Blues Bop ‘n’ stroll’. TICKETS.
The Soundhouse
Tuesday 17 March
Open Mic
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.
Saturday 21 March
Glastonbudget auditions
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.
The Shed
Tuesday 17 March
Ambush
Your emo, pop-punk, metal and hardcore fix is here for you tonight. Drinks offers all night.
Friday 20 March
The Jack Fletcher Band
The Indie-rock four piece from Wolverhampton are what can only be described as real- with their stripped back guitar music, midlands twang and their live for the moment attitude. The band combines influences from mod bands such as The Jam & The Who with the rock & roll sounds of Led Zeppelin & Jimi Hendrix. Expect a trip back to when music and life was more simple! TICKETS.
Firebug
Saturday 21 March
The Innocents Album Launch
Leicester alternative rock band, The Innocents, launch their debut album with a gig at Firebug.
Duffy’s Bar
Saturday 21 March
Sweet Amber, Scumbag Lion, Melonade, Vacation Underground
Enjoy funky, indie, bluesy night with a 4 band line-up. Pay what you feel admission.
The Haymarket Theatre
Until Saturday 21 March
Curtains
Jason Manford stars in the hilarious whodunnit packed full of catchy songs and unforgettable characters. TICKETS.
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DIARY DATES
Skunk Anansie – O2 Academy
Sunday 27 October
90s indie favourites, Skunk Anansie, are back. After touring extensively worldwide with a huge variation of bands from U2 to Therapy?, the ‘amalgam of heavy metal and black feminist rage’ disbanded, with Skin leading a solo career until Skunk Anansie reformed in 2009. In 2019 they celebrated 25 years in the business with the career-spanning live album 25Live@25, which is also the name of their new tour. TICKETS.
Paul Weller – De Montfort Hall
Friday 5 & Saturday 6 November
The incredible Paul Weller is getting back on this road this Autumn having announced a huge run of live dates, including two nights at Leicester De Montfort Hall. This follows an already sold out May tour, plus the announcement of Paul’s eagerly awaited new album ‘On Sunset’ which will be released on June 12th. TICKETS.
Willie J Healey – The Cookie
Thursday 23 April
Following fantastic reviews of his latest EP ‘Hello Good Morning’, Willie J Healey is back on tour. This is a musician who can write about any topic that grabs his attention; from wry observationals and the innocence of young love, through to gothic visitations from the devil and alien abductions. He’s unconstrained by genre, moving at will between scrappy garage-rock, evocative Americana and sumptuous psychedelia. 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
