Download a flyer

Should need to print a copy of this months listings, you can download a copy of our regular flyer by clicking the PDF icon.



 

A word about our listings

A guide for Customers

These days artists and bands tend to book their tours months in advance. In order to give you the best notice of up and coming shows we list events once they have been confirmed by the band or their management

 

The downside of this is that dates can change due to unforeseen circumstances, sometimes at very short notice. We do our best to ensure that this site is kept as up to date as is possible, with updates happening at least once a week.

 

Therefore to avoid disappointment we recommend that you check these listing prior to setting out for your show especially if you are traveling any distance.

 


 

Not listed?
A guide for Artists and Promoters
The quickest way to get yourself included in our listings is to send an email to rideout at stayfree.co.uk once your gig is confirmed.

 

We also need you to do the following -

 

Put the name of the artist or band name along with the date of your show in the email subject line.

 

Attach a reasonable sized photograph. A 72dpi, jpeg, bigger than 200x200 pixels would be fine. Please don't email files over 1mb in size. If in doubt please drop us a line before sending. Let us have your web address so we can link to your site or Myspace page.

 

Send us some text. Whilst we are happy to tidy up spelling or grammar, we don't have the time to write or edit copy for you. Ideally we need a nice concise 'blurb' of between 75-100 words. Please don't send a three page biography, or else we are likely to bounce it back to you. If you have a selection of press quotes send what you have as we can usually easily compile something from them. There are plenty of examples of the sort of thing we need here on the site to help you out.

 

Please note - If you have played at The Musician before and we have text on file, we will continue to use use it for any subsequent listings unless you supply new copy.

 

If you spot any errors please send an email to derek at indiecentral.co.uk.


Coming to The Musician in December

LISTINGS     HOME

 
   
 

Sun 1
Light Of Day England

Fundraiser for Parkinsons

feat. Badly Drawn Boy, Jesse Malin, Joe D'Urso, Guy Davis and Jersey Budd

£18adv £20door

plus special guests Tom Brooksby and Rob Dye

www.lightofday.org

Light of Day England this year takes place at the Musician in Leicester and features a host of fantastic musicians including Jesse Malin, Guy Davis, Badly Drawn Boy, Joe D’Urso and local hero Jersey Budd. In the support slot are Maeve O’Boyle and Rob Dye.

 

The Light of Day Foundation was formed in 1999 by a group of musicians from the renowned New Jersey shore, to raise money for research into the cause of Parkinson’s and related diseases. Legendary New Jersey music manager, Bob Benjamin, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of just 38 years. The organisation was named ‘Light of Day’ after the Bruce Springsteen song – in the hope that a cure would be ‘just around the corner’.

 

What started as a single concert at the world-famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park has now become a global tour, this year taking in 13 countries, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause. Bruce Springsteen himself has given his time and support to Light of Day many, many times over the years since the concerts started. With 2013 seeing both Linda Ronstadt and Billy Connolly, to name just two, diagnosed with Parkinson’s the quest for a cure goes on. Come on out for a night of great music and help to support an amazing charity.

   

Mon 2

The Jitterbug Vipers

£7adv £8door

plus The Toy Hearts

www.jitterbugvipers.com

www.thetoyhearts.com

The Jitterbug Vipers specialize in a cult jazz offshoot called “viper music,” a screeching U-Turn back to the party where jazz music packed the dance floor and dazzled the audience with brilliant streams of improvisatory musicianship.

 

Steeped in the ribald wit, quaint sophistication, and graceful virtuosity of classic artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie, the Jitterbug Vipers make the sound their own. “We don’t think of ourselves as a jazz band,” says bassist Francie Meaux Jeaux. “We think of ourselves as a 1930s rock band. We just wail.” Raucous and refined, toking and swinging, the Austin-based quartet draws the crowd into its heady bliss whenever and wherever it takes the stage.

 

Support comes from The Toy Hearts, one of the UK’s hottest acoustic acts right now whose style of music neatly places them at the forefront of the resurgence of interest in folk and Americana music.

 

Fronted by sisters Hannah (mandolin) and Sophia (guitar), accompanied by banjo/dobro, bass and fiddle, the band draws upon the genres of Bluegrass, Western Swing and Gypsy Jazz for inspiration.

   

Tue 3
Franc Cinelli

£4adv £5door

plus Nile McGregor

www.franccinelli.com

Folk/roots troubadour Franc Cinelli ,will be performing songs from his new album "I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight" released in October on SongCircle Records. He's recently completed an extensive European and North American tour including a televised performance at the Blue Note in Milan and two shows at the Royal Albert Hall. He's gathered recent support from BBC Radio 2 (Dermot O'Leary) and WFUV in New York amongst others. Music Week magazine calls him "a breathe of fresh air". With his trademark sound and fantastic new songs, this show is not be missed!

   

Wed 4
The Derrin Nauendorf Band
£7adv £8door

plus The Sarah Bird Band

www.derrinnauendorf.com

www.sarahbird.org.uk
Over the past decade Derrin has solidified his reputation as a singer, acoustic guitar player and songwriter of very high order. He is one of the busiest artists on the acoustic scene at the moment in many parts of the world, but to think of Derrin as just another troubadour or journeyman would not paint an accurate picture. Derrin has forged a sound comprising of incredible guitar skills, soulful vocals and powerful songs and lyrics which has won him much praise and many fans.

 

2013 sees Derrin release his first studio album in four years called "Distant Empires" and embark on the most extensive tour of his career so far. This is what Derrin says himself of the new album, "I really tried to test myself as an artist. I had a clear idea of what I was trying to say and achieve up to a couple of years before the recording. It has not been easy, but it has been really enjoyable to write. I hope people like it, but also that is up to them. I know I have done the absolute best I could".

   

Thu 5

Paul Lamb & Chad Strentz

£8adv £10door

bluroots.co.uk

Hailed by aficionados and music press around the world as Europe’s foremost blues harmonica player, Paul Lamb has forged a place in the history books as one of the greatest players of our time. He has won countless awards, sold record-breaking quantities of albums, and performed the world over with his longstanding musical compatriots The King Snakes. Inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame (alongside the likes of Peter Green, John Mayall & Alexis Korner ) Lamb continues to bring his infectious brand of blues to a plethora of fans around the globe…

 

There’s a whole deal of experience behind vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chad Strentz. Billed as one of the best Blues singers in Europe, Chad started out as a rockabilly hound at the age of 15. He enjoyed success on this circuit in the U.K. and Europe. In 1991 he got together with Paul Lamb & they toured extensively with The King Snakes and released over 5 CD’s to much acclaim. During a sabbatical in 1999 he formed Breakout Blues with his old friend Pete Farugia. His next venture was the with Big Town Playboys who released the album “Roll the Dice” featuring Jools Holland, Jeff Beck and Robert Plant. He re-joined the King Snakes in 2003 and has been touring and recording with them to date…

   

Fri 6

The Magic Band

£20

www.beefheart.com

www.cheeseweasel.org

Sharing the vision of celebrating the music of the late Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart, original members Denny “Feelers Rebo” Walley, Mark “Rockette Morton” Boston, and John “Drumbo” French share the stage with guitarist Eric Klerks and drummer, Andrew Niven, to re-visit the classic Beefheart tunes with renewed fervour.

 

This band is the latest incarnation of “the best batch yet”. The chemistry between the members has been duly noted, with rave reviews from their occasional recent reunion tours, the last of which was in May 2013.

 

Releasing such recordings as “Back to the Front” ( ATP Records), “21st Century Mirror Men” ( Proper Records), and “Live at Oxford” (Sundazed Records), the group has proven to stay true to the original music, re-visiting the original recordings with both technical and soulful accuracy much to the joy of Beefheart Fans everywhere.

 

Their music is a mixture of avante-garde jazz and Delta Blues that has to be heard to be appreciated. The intertwining complexity of the rhythms and melodies can seem a bit unnerving at first listen, but if you are like many, you will quickly become a fan of this quirky deviation from the norm.

   

Sat 7

Nine Below Zero

£13adv £15door

plus Royston Duxford

www.ninebelowzero.com

www.facebook.com/roystonduxfordband

www.xanderpromotions.co.uk

Now in their 5th decade, Nine Below Zero are the viable alternative to Alternative, a band that most definitely come to play, a band with their own genuine sound and deep understanding of their musical roots. Live, the combination of Dennis Greaves playing guitar and singing, Brian Bethell on bass, Brendan O’Neill on drums and Mark Feltham on harmonica is lethal, hammering and nailing the big R'n'B sound to the floor of many a famous stage. "NBZ are brilliant live, they work so hard, the audience often go home as exhausted as the band!" so says Andrew Zweck of top promoters Harvey Goldsmith Ents.

   

Sun 8

Warner E. Hodges
£9

with special guests Roaming Son

www.warnerhodges.com

www.facebook.com/roamingsonuk

www.cheeseweasel.org

At a time when full blooded rock ‘n’ roll music often seems to be in terminal decline and dour singer-songwriters hold sway, it’s reassuring to know that there are still individuals out there ornery enough to believe that salvation and deliverance from the trials and tribulations of modern living can still be achieved through the application of excessive amplification. And it’s always cause for celebration when such an individual returns to active service after a period of relative inactivity.

 

One such person is Warner E. Hodges of Nashville, Tennessee’s legendary Jason & The Scorchers and latterly with Dan Baird & Homemade Sin, a man who definitely knows what the business end of a Fender Telecaster is for. Warner has been a cult hero to many for over two decades now. A figure renowned not only for his blistering and instantly recognisable style of playing, but also as the most dynamic and entertaining guitar player of his generation.

   

Mon 9
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   

Tue 10
8 Miles High + Murmur + The Bobcats + No Mans Heath

£5

www.youtube.com/8mileshighband

www.facebook.com/murmurmurmurmurmur

www.facebook.com/nomansheath

 

Wake Up Promotions presents a night of quality live music featuring a selection of Leicester's finest talent.

 

For up to date gig info on twitter, please follow @wakeuppromotion

 

   

Wed 11
Oli Brown

£10adv £12door

feat. drummer Lyle Mozan

www.olibrownband.co.uk

Following his action packed European summer tour with guitar hero, Joe Satriani and numerous festivals in North America, the Norwich local heads back to his old stomping grounds with tales from the road in an intimate show featuring Canadian drummer Lyle Mozan. The 24 year old has spent the past seven years touring the World with five British blues awards to his credit, three studio albums and his latest release; a live CD/DVD recorded in Norwich, 2012. Fans will be taken on a musical journey hearing acoustic versions of the artist’s songs, in addition to his new material scheduled for release in 2014. This rare performance by the acclaimed guitarist showcases his talent acoustically whilst soothing listeners with soulful, yet powerful vocals.

   

Thu 12
Venus Fly Trap + Pat Fish (The Jazz Butcher) + Kevin Hewick

£4adv £5door

www.jazzbutcher.com

www.spiralarchive.com/vft/

www.kevinhewick.co.uk

Three cult acts, all 80's survivors with as vital a sound as ever in 2013. Pat Fish is the man behind the legendary Jazz Butcher, signed to Creation Records. "A truly great songwriter" - Alan McGee. Venus Fly Trap have also enjoyed a long and varied musical journey, now stripped down to an intense rock 'n' roll voodoo duo, guitar drum machine and vocals, like Elvis Presley meets the Velvet Underground. Last but not least, former Factory Records signing Kevin Hewick promotes his epic new album 'The Heat Of Molten Diamonds'.

   

Fri 13
Aynsley Lister Band
£10

plus Simon 'Honeyboy' Hickling

www.aynsleylister.co.uk

www.honeyboyhickling.com

In a world full of manufactured over-hyped pop music, Aynsley Lister is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel. His powerful, infectious songs are unashamedly blues influenced and performed with the kind of conviction of someone twice his age. Say the word blues to a commercial record company and see how far they run! But Lister carries on regardless, writing and recording albums that continue to sell and prove that blues rock music can be commercial and have you singing along to yourself days after you hear it, just like half the committee written stuff you hear every day on the radio.

 

"Exceptionally mature and exciting" – MOJO

 

"Superb" - The Times

 

Support comes from world-class blues harmonica ace Simon ‘Honeyboy’ Hickling. With a hard earned and well-deserved international reputation, his subtle and fabulously expressive playing is grounded firmly in the ‘50s and ‘60s heyday of the Chicago and Gulf Coast styles of playing.

   

Sat 14

Dawson Smith & The Dissenters

£5

plus special guests The Flying Buttress

www.dawsonsmith.com

The Flying Buttress is a solo album project by Dissenters guitarist Martin Burch.

 

The album 'Release' is a set of new songs written by Martin and features many well know Leicester musicians and singers.

 

Some of the songs from the album will be performed for the first time tonight with guest singers including Vikki Clayton, Tonia Tempest and Dawson Smith backed by an all star band featuring Neil Segrott, Greg Tempest and on lead guitar Martin Burch (also celebrating his 50th birthday).

 

Dawson & The Dissenters will be headlining with their brand of swampy blues and Americana that always rocks the house (and it's also Dawson's birthday!).

   

Sun 15

Wreckless Eric

£9adv £10door

wrecklesseric.com

To celebrate the Fire Records reissue of the two albums he made in the eighties with The Len Bright Combo, Wreckless Eric will be performing selected solo shows. A songwriting and recording legend since the seventies, Eric has rarely performed solo in recent years. For the past six years and three albums he has worked in partnership with his wife, Amy Rigby.

Now you can see him as you may never have seen him before, tight, loose and rocking on acoustic guitar, electric six string and gummed-up harmonica, performing songs from all phases of his long career with an emphasis on the songs he wrote for The Len Bright Combo.

   

Mon 16
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   


Tue 17

Hendrix: The Blue Album Recreated

£1

feat. The Honey Bees

 

Featuring a performance tracing Jimi Hendrix's set list from his legendary 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Contributors welcome.

   

 

Wed 18

Charity Night
£5adv £7door

feat. Kieran Simms, Adam Zakera, Ashley Cole, Corinna Jane, Mark Elliot, Rossi Haines, Mia Fairall, Chris Dunkley, Nial Moulds and Kieran Peeko

 

**Please note that Simon 'Honeyboy' Hickling will now be supporting Aynsley Lister on Friday 13th December**

   


Thu 19

The Magical Christmas Tree Tour

£8adv £10door

feat. Pete Morton, Emily Sanders and Chris Parkinson

www.petemorton.com

www.chrisparkinsonmusic.co.uk

The Magical Christmas Tree Tour is Pete Morton, Emily Sanders, Chris Parkinson and a tree! Not just any old Christmas tree, but a very magical one. It makes these three unsuspecting folk performers do things they wouldn't do the other eleven months of the year. After five successful seasons touring the UK, this show is a festive treat, where the audience pick scrolls from the tree and make every night a unique occasion!

This is a high-flying combination: a singer/songwriter extraordinaire, a superb fiddler and one of the folk scene’s most sought-after instrumentalists. Pete, Emily & Chris all excel in their own departments. Together they deliver a richly textured collection of vibrant new songs, beautiful old carols and stunning instrumentals – plus all three voices in three-part harmony... and they have a great time doing it. Superb acoustic music!

   


Fri 20

Diesel Park West

£10

www.dieselparkwest.com

Some bands belong to their own time, others trespass on decades where they don't really belong. Diesel Park West must have seemed to some people back in '89, with the release of the far-reaching Shakespeare Alabama, the most welcome and liberating guitar band anyone had heard for years. A lot of artists who have enjoyed massive acclaim and success since, may well tip hats towards the Diesels for being pioneers in the re-emergence of the guitar as the primary sound of contemporary music. Add to that song writing that both provokes and reassures... sometimes within the same lyric... then maybe its appropriate to start spreading the word.

   

 

Sat 21

Private Party

   

Sun 22
AB/CD: Their Last Ever Leicester Show!

£10

 

AB/CD are the only authorized tribute band to late AC/DC singer Bon Scott. The band were formed in 1989 and were chosen on MTV as the best sounding Bon Scott tribute by none other than AC/DC guitarist Angus Young. Since then AB/CD have played all around the world and appeared with many the Stereophonics, The Queens Of The Stone Age, Hawkwind, Reef and Kiss.  They have also appeared on BBC2’s Arena, in a program about the tribute band phenomenon. Don't miss what will be the last opportunity to see one of the UK's top tribute bands in this, their farewell Leicester show!

   

Mon 23
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   

 

Tue 24
Closed

   

 

Wed 25
Closed - Merry Christmas!

   

 


Thu 26

Closed

   


Fri 27

Kingsize

£9

plus The Moderators

www.kingsize-ska.com

wearethemoderators.co.uk

Part one of our annual Christmas SKA double-header! Leicester’s top ranking ska band Kingsize play foot-stompin’, house rocking Kingsized arrangements of the finest original Jamaican ska sounds. Their style draws heavily on the classic Studio One song catalogue and traditional big band sounds of ‘60s ska. Special guests for tonight are 2 tone mod and ska group The Moderators.

   

Sat 28

Kingsize

£9

plus Special Brew

www.kingsize-ska.com

www.specialbrew.info

Part two of our annual Christmas SKA double-header! Leicester’s top ranking ska band Kingsize play foot-stompin’, house rocking Kingsized arrangements of the finest original Jamaican ska sounds. Their style draws heavily on the classic Studio One song catalogue and traditional big band sounds of ‘60s ska. Special guests for tonight are Coventry 2 Tone Ska band Special Brew.

   

Sun 29

Talulah Blue presents...

Blue Burlesque

£10adv £12door

feat. Banbury Cross, Talulah Blue and Riding The Valkyrie plus live music from The Sarah Bird Band

www.talulahblue.com

Talulah Blue and The Musician combine to create a show packed with burlesque, live bands, freakshow, circus performance and a burlesque stall. As always we welcome you to a warm atmosphere and some of the UK's best international performers.

 

Banbury Cross - international burlesque goddess, with a body to die for - this bullet proof blonde is a favourite amongst the rich, famous and decadent.

Talulah Blue - after running away with the circus to Dubai, this little starlet is here to delight and tease. Putting together another amazing night out, and bringing exciting new entertainment to the stage.

Riding The Valkyrie - combines all of the best elements of opera with freakshow and circus skills. Hauntingly beautiful and sometimes downright scary.

   

Mon 30
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   

Tue 31

Rock 'N' Roll Damnation: New Year's Eve Party

£8adv £10door

feat. Hell's Addiction, Temple Of Lies and Metal Artois

Doors 7:30pm

hellsaddiction.com

templeoflies.co.uk

en-gb.facebook.com/metalartoismusic

www.cheeseweasel.org

Come and see in 2014 with us and two of Leicester’s finest rock bands, Hell's Addiction and Temple of Lies in what will be a rocktastic end to 2013!

 

Hell's Addiction deliver classic no-bullshit rock 'n' roll in a style akin to the likes of AC/DC, Guns N' Roses and Skid Row featuring old school riffs and crowd-pleasing songs.

 

The philosophy behind TOL's music is that pretty much anything goes, with no boundaries. As long as it rocks with a real groove that’s all that matters. Try to resist the brain washing energy flowing from the stage, and you will surely come up short!

 

As well as the music, we will have a rock disco/DJ set and our traditional New Year's Eve late bar - the year is set to start with a bang!

   


 LISTINGS     HOME     TOP

Content © The Musician
Site design Mohawk Visuals