Gig reviews 2011 (Jan-Sept)

A capacity audience turned up at the Soundhouse to see one of the UK's leading folk singers. Emmy The Great put on a set of her remarkable songs, supported by Leicester's Grace Petrie and a band called It Hugs Back. Read more...

Some seriously greasy biker's bands tonight mixed in with a bit of 'alternative' and a touch of indie. Mixed to perfection with some top-quality acts, one of which has just beaten thousands of bands to play in the finals of the international Surface Festival! Read more...

Not just a gig but the Summer Sundae Fringe festival's Fringe Thursday. A city full of some of Leicester's finest bands playing as a warm up to the weekend's three day Summer Sundae festival that was about to descend upon the city. Seven venues with some fine acts - god only knows how I was supposed to fit it all in, but try, I did. Read more...

A smatterring of dub then classic rock and punk followed by a dub/heavy metal mix and a few covers, tastefully done. This was a high-energy mix of diverse proportions, down at the Lock. Read more...

A full-on, hard-core, no holds barred and no apologies made Metal night tonight down at the Soundhouse.

Was it just a load of thrashing around, or gut-wrenching, heavy sounds written by talented musicians that leave you wanting more? Read more...

With AC/DC UK headlining, anybody would think this was to be a rock night down at the Soundhouse. They'd be damned right, with a tribute band top-of-the-bill, were they worth their weight in ROCK - or did the supporting acts give them a run for their money? Our new reporter, Bee Tovey reports. Read more...

A big band line-up tonight, as all the bands on the bill are very popular and can hold their own.

It was hot and sweaty, too, at Firebug, with some top class bands who know how to rock your socks off, this was one night I was looking forward to BIG TIME. Read more...

A strong line-up tonight at the big, almighty, Y Theatre. Big venue, big stage, big (ish) bands and the almighty Formal Warning had something to celebrate. An important night in Leicester's local music scene was about to descend upon us. Read more...

A fairly new Leicester band on the block, MovE!, are creating a bit of a stir around these parts, hardly surprising considering the members come from already established bands. No surprise then that the Musician was buzzing when they came on, especially with support coming from the popular Panda Youth. It was also nice to see an out of town band, Black Market Empire, and the brand new combo, Mat Tacey and Ed Chapman for a bit of variation on the bill. Read more...

Interesting mix of bands in the Soundhouse tonight, acoustic blues followed by punk, then rock and finally bluesy, rocky punky stuff, was it a mix too far? Read more...

One of Leicester's legendary bands played at the Musician. A night of great music from a band with thirty years of gigs and albums. Read more...

Looking like a great selection of bands, topping off with a name I haven't seen around for a while - The Chairmen - and at Sub 91, should be a good 'un! This was also The Chairmen's celebration of their new single, 'Mona Lisa', giving it away free at the door, too, now what a good idea! Let's see what The Chairmen have been up to. Read more...

Full on, in your face punk tonight at the Soundhouse, although most of the bands being still in their tender-ages, I wondered how anarchistic they could get. What about the music, too, just an excuse to scream the 'house down? Read more...

Interesting line-up tonight, Daylight Frequencies, who I had seen once before and remember being impressed, Buster Shuffle, who I knew nothing about, and The Lysergic Suite who put on an incredible experience of a gig last time I saw them, I needed to know if they could do it again! Read more...

Some great acts tonight, with Haich, whose reputation precedes them, Final Coil who I knew nothing about and then The Black Tears.
The Black Tears have been through a turbulent few months, with some big changes in the line-up, resulting in some new songs and a forthcoming single, it's all change in The Black Tears camp, now let's see what the new guys can really do. Read more...

A good dose of rock was on the menu tonight at the Soundhouse, with two top bands, both smashing all the battle of the bands competitions to pieces, a rip-roaring night, for sure! Read more...

A unique style with such a natural voice in a class of her own. So pure, so simple and just so wonderful. As for her version of the classic Blue Monday - has to be heard to be believed. Watch Hanna perform it and others in this review. Read more...

A night of Muse (tribute), German synth. moodiness and full-on punky, indie, rocky stuff was about to descend. A recipe for a good night? Read more...

An uttelry fantastic night was about to unravel itself at the Soundhouse, with the young, followed by the fun, ending up with the fantastically non-stoppable and well established. Read more...

A chance to see some young bands competing for a slot at the Summer Sundae 2011 festival. The vibe was buzzing, beer was bottled and I was looking forward to a great night at the Shed. It's not every night you get to see local bands competing to play in a major local festival - they know they've got to pull out all the stops. Read more...

Ah yes, another night at the Lock - appreciating the selection of real ales on offer, I made my way through a good few of them in preparation for the onslaught of punk, semi screamo, rock and indie sounds that were about to descend upon my ears. Read more...

As part of their massive return to the Leicestershire music scene The Boobytraps played to an intimate yet significant crowd at The Soundhouse on Weds night in support to Detroit Social Club. Read more...

A Kate Bush tribute band, eh? - could have quite easily been one of those nights where you're embarrassed for the artist as they continue to annihilate your all time classics, or a damned fine evening. Read more...

A quality show from a top-class class band who know how to have a good time and really get the crowd going, also with a slightly unusual edge. Read more...

From a folky feel to a mellower sound followed by compulsive Indie then full on, granite busting rock, this was a night that had it all. Read more ...

A night of balls-busting, yet top quality, solid rock performances from some of Leicester's newer bands and veterans at a new venue which is holding it's own. Good beer, too. Read more...

One of Leicester's finest indie bands playing with no sound system or lights, and with the beer running out, the night could only end in one of two ways. Read more...

A night of powerful indie and solid rock sounds from three superb local bands who know how to pull a performance out of the bag. Read more...

A night of quality music as a set of bands put themselves forward for Glastonbudget 2011. Read more...

The Stiggz haven't been around for a few months, but with new material and big surprises, this could well be an evening to get excited about! Read more...

A line up of good bands at the SoundHouse including Leicester rock legends Skam#. Read more...

A nice mix of acoustic, indie and, well, Charlie and the Martyrs, whatever genre you'd put them in, down at the Musician. The sound was good, the beer wet, and the mood perfect for some top-class acts. Read more...

The Musician was packed for this round of the Unplugged OBS competition, but the atmosphere was still cosy and intimate with the candle-lit tables. This turned out to be an evening of great all round entertainment with some top class acoustic acts. Read more...

Three young metal bands onstage at lock42 delivering some rad post-hardcore. Read more...

A strong lineup of singers and acoustics acts took to the stage of the Musician for the first of the OBS Unplugged shows. Read more...