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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. |
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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.
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.
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Coming to The Musician in February |
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Since forming in 2009, Crow Black Chicken have earned back-pats aplenty for their dirty southern blues sound. This power trio of Christy O Hanlon (Vocals, Guitar), Stephen McGrath (Bass) and Gev Barrett (Drums, backing vocals) combine elements of folk and hard rock with the blues rock of bands like Gov't mule, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin to create their greasy no bullshit blues rock sound. 2014 sees the band release their second album "Rumble Shake". Recorded in Dublin's famous Westland studios (Bob Dylan, Horslips, Thin Lizzy,), mixed by George Reiff (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ray Wylie Hubbard) and featuring guest appearances from some of Irelands best blues musicians including Texas music legend Ray Wylie Hubbard.
“The long bearded trio have been described as “an Irish ZZ top” and there’s the inevitable references to fellow countryman Rory Gallagher. However with their debut album Electric Soup the band shows steely intention to throw away comparisons and make their own mark.”
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facebook.com/therubydoos
Steve Cartwright is an original acoustic singer-songwriter, whose songs often illustrate local events and people as detailed in his traditional folk release ‘Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire’. However, to pigeon-hole him would be folly, with his versatility on albums such as ‘Drums On The Soar’ and ‘Goats Are Great’ showcasing a mix of folk, classical and rock n’ roll styles.
Not merely a talented musician and songwriter, Steve is also an extremely accomplished writer, artist and poet, with four poetry books to his name. His latest play ‘The Last Wolf In England: Tudor England Through the Eyes of Lady Jane Grey’ is to be debuted at the White Horse in Seagrave on February 19th. Tonight sees Steve perform a mix of traditional folk and spiritually based songs that have a therapeutic feel, interspersed with some spoken word.
Support comes from the Ruby Doos, a 4 piece band featuring lead/harmony vocalists Sarah Rawson and Annie Smith. They play contemporary and classic songs with a retro twist, ranging from early bluegrass through 50s harmony swing, heartbreak ballads and Brill Building Hits to present day songwriter gems. It promises to be a great evening with something for everyone!
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andrewoneill.co.uk
Andrew O'Neill brings his inventive, surreal and silly stand-up show Mindspiders to the Musician for the first time! Andrew has been performing his clever and off-kilter comedy around the world for over a decade. He has appeared on TV comedy favourites including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle and Steve Coogan's acclaimed sit-com Saxondale. Don't miss this brand new show from one of the funniest comedians in the UK!
What is Heavy Metal? What does it taste like? Does it hurt? Andrew O'Neill answers all the questions you were afraid to ask the big hairy men in that pub you've always avoided. Whether you're a committed headbanger or the type of person that wouldn't know Napalm Death if they were squatting your garden shed, this show is hugely funny and massively entertaining. Combining stand-up comedy with live music played on his customised Flying V guitar, O'Neill paints a picture of a subculture and history that has rocked the world. Even heads that do not bang will hugely enjoy this Heavy Metal 101 by one of the world's most original and consistently hilarious stand-up comedians (nominated for Best Show at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival).
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electricswingcircus.com
One of the hottest bands around, the Electric Swing Circus' sound is a powerful combination of vintage samples, electro beats, gypsy-jazz guitar, electric double bass, keys, live drums and dirty synths. Fronted by an engaging female double-act, who perform an extensive variety of vocal styles, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show.
Created initially as the house band for Funk Nation, the Funk Soul Collective play the best in funk and soul, and are on a mission to bring back funk played in the right way, taking Mr. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul and the JB's brass stars Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis, Parliament Funkadelic, and many more, as their inspiration. The band also play all the best rare groove and jazz funk, including hits from the likes of Roy Ayers, the Brand New Heavies, Tower of Power and Jamiroquai.
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The Mustangs are a breath of fresh air on the British blues scene. They combine the power and punch of traditional R N’ B with great original songs and a show-stopping stage set. They have established a formidable reputation as one of the hardest-working and most charismatic bands in British blues.
The band are led by the stunning voice and slashing guitar of livewire frontman Adam Norsworthy. The razor-sharp rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass) is one of the tightest on the circuit and the line-up is completed by R’n’B veteran Derek Kingaby on vintage blues harp.
They have toured the length and breadth of the country, playing alongside giants of the British and American blues scenes.
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Will Pound has long been in demand as a harmonica wizard, playing with the likes of Guy Chambers (ex-songwriter for Robbie Williams), legendary folk guitarist Martin Simpson and Scottish Early Music ensemble Concerto Caledonia. Recording credits include sessions for some of the biggest names in folk music including Sam Carter, Jim Moray and Martin Simpson.
He has been nominated for prestigious Musician Of The Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in both 2012 and 2014.
The Will Pound Band was formed in the wake of his 2013 debut solo record 'A Cut Above', and create a unique sound that draws on many aspects of traditional music from around the world. The band explore Irish, Scottish, English and Appalachian music during a typical set combining this with shades of the Blues, Bluegrass and Jazz to create a sound that is both steeped in tradition and progressive in its approach.
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blossomsband.co.uk
facebook.com/surfffff
"Manchester's Blossoms offer a lighter take on psychedelia, one that's steeped in classic British pop songwriting" - NME
"Not content with being lumped in with Manc music’s current psych revival, Stockport five-piece Blossoms have opted to invent their very own sub-genre: Ethereal Nostalgic Sonance." - Manchester Evening News
"Psyche-pop riffs, vocal melodies, a film noir meets 60s aesthetic, a range of audible references from Arctic Monkeys via Abba to The Doors – Blossoms are Stockport’s newest (and arguably finest) musical export." – MCPR
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Three of the UK’s top singer-songwriters will be performing together at this intimate songwriter's circle show.
Danny George Wilson, on the back of his latest, hugely praised record 'Stay True' with his Champions Of The World, has since been wowing the crowds with his incredible new songs.
Peter Bruntnell (“one of Britain’s finest and most overlooked songwriters” – The Line Of Best Fit) released his Retrospective album back in 2013 – a collection of songs from his outstanding back catalogue of albums, alongside a new version of Played Out, featuring Rumor.
Neil Halstead, previously known for his bands Slowdive and Mojave 3, following two solo records released through 4AD and then Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label, has most recently released an album as a member of Black Hearted Brother.
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Sometimes the hardest part of telling a story is choosing what to leave out... The three young Dutch women who make up Snowapple have done a lot of living, more so than many musicians twice their age. Dig beneath the surface of this earthy, almost unassuming, folk/chanson trio, and you’ll find a tangle of rich and varied life experiences.
Laurien has an international career as an opera singer, Una is a talented jazz singer and Laura is a singer, composer and conductor from Latvia who has lived and worked as a musician in the Netherlands since 2007.
Together they are Snowapple, a group that ambitiously draws upon markedly different musical genres to create a uniquely eclectic yet wholly natural sound. Their eponymous debut album (released in 2013) is beautiful and beguiling in equal measure, full of catchy pop-folk numbers punctuated by excursions into the darker and more romantic side of the human condition.
Their new album, Illusions, shows a marked growth and experimentation in the band’s repertoire, and has a richer, more developed sound.
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After 10 nights of acoustic based showcases, the shortlisted acts return for the obsUnplugged Finale Weekender!
The aim of the finales is to illustrate the diversity and differing styles of acoustic music and represent the event as a whole.
The show starts at 8pm prompt so please be there early as you won't want to miss any of tonight's 10 acts!
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After 10 nights of acoustic based showcases, the shortlisted acts return for the obsUnplugged Finale Weekender!
The aim of the finales is to illustrate the diversity and differing styles of acoustic music and represent the event as a whole.
The show starts at 8pm prompt so please be there early as you won't want to miss any of tonight's 10 acts!
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Ok, so it's not quite Valentine's Night but what better way to belatedly celebrate Valentine's Day than with the blues! Leicester's own Strange Blues specialise in classic blues both original and covers and feature three top musicians in Simon Gilroy (bass/vocals), Andy Wales (guitar/vocals) and Nick Murphy (drums). Support comes from the exceptional Polly, kicking off the night in her own inimitable style so put away those Valentine's cards and come join us for a great evening's entertainment!
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Kent Duchaine's musical nomadic life started over thirty years ago in Minnesota where he played with Kim Wilson before Wilson moved to Texas to form the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kent honed his guitar skills playing with Lazy Bill Lucas, Boogie Woogie Red, Luther Tucker, Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Burns and Margie Evans. In the early 1990's he spent three years traveling and playing with the legendary bluesman Johnny Shines. Duchaine's guitar playing is rooted in the styles of Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Bukka White and Elmore James. He has a ferociously wild slide technique that exudes a frenzied power and he can switch gears in the wink of an eye to play some beautiful acoustic melodies.
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Matt Woosey’s refreshing musical songwriting and playing style combines acoustic blues, folk and rock conveyed with an accomplished vocal delivery which has been defined as The Woosey Blues. His ability to combine originality with a broad musical knowledge has gained him praise from sources as varied as Paul Jones (BBC2), Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music) and blues News.de who quote Matt as being “The Best British bluesman since Rory Gallagher”.
Gigs have featured strongly in Matt’s career and in 2012 and 2013 he was averaging almost a gig-a-day! Matt is now being invited to support internationally acclaimed touring artists such as the ‘Brand New Heavies’, Band Of Friends and Mark Flannigan (Jools Holland).
Today, Matt’s playing is often compared to Jimmy Page’s extraordinary blues-rock style, Rory Gallagher’s improvisational flair and John Martyn’s heavy handed acoustic onslaughts.
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From 1977's Pink Flag to the band's most recent album, 'Change Becomes Us', legendary art-combo Wire have created a unique body of work. Subverting genres, Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, Robert Grey and Matthew Simms continue to work on new material, regularly confounding expectations.
Wire employ their unique, endlessly restless and risk-taking creativity to question every aspect of songwriting, recording and performance. They delight and disturb in equal measure, troubleshooting the circuitry of perfect pop, or patrolling the limits of focused experimentalism.
In terms of working together as Wire, the group's members disbanded in 1980, reformed in 1985, disbanded in 1992 and reformed for the second time in 2000. Such sabbaticals from their career as Wire have served to sharpen the group's edge and focus, updating the tactics with which they pursue this shared project.
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In 2015, twelve years on from their debut album, British Sea Power are hitting their stride. They have just released a new album ‘Sea of Brass’ where they play with the country’s best brass bands. Just another slant to this magical band.
A recent poll of BBC 6Music listeners – on the most important hundred tracks of the station’s lifetime – placed the British Sea Power track Remember Me at number nine, just above Radiohead, just below Johnny Cash. It’s a placing that indicates both the band’s longevity and the deeply dedicated nature of their audience.
This 6Music poll followed delighted press endorsements for the BSP soundtrack to the new feature-length BFI documentary film From The Sea To The Land Beyond. When the film was shown on BBC4 under the Storyville banner a Twitter-storm resulted in viewing figures twice the norm for this slot. This screening also drew impassioned praise in the press:“Beautiful, mesmerising… gloriously cosseted with a British Sea Power score… “
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Back in 2015 for its 11th year, the Original Bands Showcase is set up for unsigned bands and artists of all genres. An independent music event that takes place annually in Leicester, the OBS first launched back in 2004. Its main aim is to give a platform for local live bands and an opportunity to increase exposure and fan base under the umbrella of a series of organised and well supported nights of live music. It has now become an established and credible event on the live music calendar.
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Formed in 1996 by John Campbell, the onstage resemblance is there for all to see. With showmanship that harks back to Jimi’s late 60’s performances, even the most ardent fan will raise a wry smile.
John has appeared on 'The Trisha Show', Talk Radio with Lorraine Kelly, Sky One’s 'Death by Excess' & 'The One Show', and the band were featured on BBC 2’s Arena special on tribute bands 'Into The Limelight' to critical acclaim.
In November 2009 Are you Experienced? were invited to play “The Barbados Virgin Atlantic Music Festival”, and in 2010 were proud to open “The Isle Of Wight Festival” to mark 40 years since Jimi Hendrix made his last major appearance there. The band also played at The Troubadour, London to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of Hendrix on 18th September 2010. This has since become an annual event.
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Directed by God Father of Grunge Folk Wild Willy Barrett, this dynamic quartet brings a touch of “oo-la-la” to the UK as French chanteuse extraordinaire Aurora Colson takes centre stage, leaving the musicians to demonstrate their individual talents.
Originally from Nancy, county of Lorraine in the East of France, Aurora has a foot on both sides of the Channel, for she has been living and singing in London for more than 11 years.
Captivating audiences both English and French alike with her compelling and expressive vocals, she effortlessly tackles a wide range of styles:
From Gypsy jazz to traditional Celtic, with an occasional hint of Piaf thrown into the mix, her natural “pazzaz” and charmingly French personality shine through.
If you are looking for a band within a very specific genre, then... forget it! But if you are looking for a truly original show, full of humour and surprises, where violin, banjo, Uilleann pipes and percussion intertwine with powerful vocals, or where cello, guitar and flute compliment the mesmerizing voice of the singer, then Wild Willy Barrett's French Connection are the ones you were waiting for!
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Ever since his debut album, Sweet England, burst upon an unsuspecting folk world in 2003 Jim Moray has been perhaps the most interesting artist on the folk scene. Recipient of numerous awards (including five BBC Folk Awards), a key element of both the Cecil Sharp Project and the Elizabethan Session, he has also consistently made thought-provoking, challenging and excellent solo albums, with the latest, Skulk, being released in 2012.
Support comes from Rosie Hood, last seen in Leicester delivering a great set supporting Nic Jones. Winner of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival open mic award and the Fred Jordan memorial award, one third of the Dovetail Trio (with Jamie Roberts and Matt Quinn), Rosie is a rising star of the folk scene with a superb voice.
This will be an evening of contemporary and traditional folk music at its best.
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Back in 2015 for its 11th year, the Original Bands Showcase is set up for unsigned bands and artists of all genres. An independent music event that takes place annually in Leicester, the OBS first launched back in 2004. Its main aim is to give a platform for local live bands and an opportunity to increase exposure and fan base under the umbrella of a series of organised and well supported nights of live music. It has now become an established and credible event on the live music calendar.
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Back in 2015 for its 11th year, the Original Bands Showcase is set up for unsigned bands and artists of all genres. An independent music event that takes place annually in Leicester, the OBS first launched back in 2004. Its main aim is to give a platform for local live bands and an opportunity to increase exposure and fan base under the umbrella of a series of organised and well supported nights of live music. It has now become an established and credible event on the live music calendar.
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