Weekly Music Guide – 15.06.2023

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Diary Dates

The Soundhouse Summer Sessions – Every Saturday
The Soundhouse

The Soundhouse Summer Sessions are back every Saturday afternoon throughout the summer. Join them for an afternoon of outdoor music from some of the best local live acoustic acts, with free entry, outdoor stage, dog friendly and family friendly.

Sunday afternoon gigs at The Donkey

Another one for a sunny weekend, don’t miss the free Sunday afternoon gigs at The Donkey on Welford Road. Starting from 3pm, when it’s sunny the music will move to their outdoor stage so you can soak up the tunes and the sun with a few beers and a bite from their food menu.

Ultimate Coldplay – Friday 16 June
The Musician

Ultimate Coldplay are a live tribute to Coldplay, performing all the hits and more in a brilliant sound and look-a-like show.

John Lennon Tribute UK – Saturday 17 June
The Musician

John Lennon Tribute UK aims to pay tribute to this icon in the most authentic & sensitive way. Faithfully recreating the soulful voice, passionate guitar as well as John’s mannerisms and of course, his caustic wit!

Peat & Diesel – Thursday 22 June
O2 Academy Leicester

Peat and Diesel, a folk rock band from Stornoway and fronted by Calum ‘Boydie’ Macleod on guitar and vocals, with Uilleam Macleod on drums and Innes Scott on the box, have been something of a surprise success – not least to the band members themselves. Drummer Uilleam said: “We certainly didn’t expect it to take off the way it has, as we only started it for a wee bit of craic. It’s amazing the amount of people who have seen the video and have been in touch saying how bonkers we are and how much they love it.”

The Wedding Present – Friday 23 June
O2 Academy Leicester

In the late 1980s The Wedding Present were one of the most famous British indie bands. Their career path often involved unusual decisions, such as recording a set of Ukranian folk songs for their first major-label offering and releasing a single on the first Monday of every month for a year. Band members came and went, but the idea of The Wedding Present as a group has remained. Nowadays fans of ‘the Weddoes’ can still hear their favourite songs (as well as new material) being played live by original songwriter David Gedge and his band.

The Howl & The Hum – Saturday 24 June
The Soundhouse

York-based four piece The Howl & The Hum combine rumbling, melodic dark pop with haunting, evocative lyrics, and a hypnotic yet energetic live show, With a magpie mentality they cut their teeth playing in and learning from local bands and busking, with a strong songwriting core and an inventive, progressive view on what place guitar music has in today’s culture. Their inspirations ranging from Leonard Cohen and Phoebe Bridgers to Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar, and have been likened to Massive Attack, Radiohead and Alt-J.

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INTERVIEW: Amy DX

We love hearing about new talent in Leicestershire, and Amy DX is certainly getting on the radar of venues and outlets in the area. A mix between Alanis, The Cranberries and PJ Harvey, her debut album received much praise from fellow artists and local press. She’s back with a gig at Firebug on Friday 23 June and we caught up with her to find out more about it.

How would you describe your sound to anyone who hasn’t heard you before?

Influenced by a wide range of indie/rock and grunge bands, my debut album ‘TIME’ draws upon those influences creating a unique blend of etheral and haunting vocals with an alternative rock sound.

“Amy is clearly not afraid to tackle difficult and important subjects, and writing on deep and emotive matters is a common theme throughout her work.” – Leicestermusicblog

“I Wanted To, is a brilliant new track by Amy Dx, how have I never heard of Amy Dx, remarkable!…. Incredible vocals on her song We’re only Human.” – Dean Jackson, BBC Introducing

Which 3 artists would you list in your “For Fans of” section?

PJ Harvey, The Cranberries and Alanis Morissette

Tell us about your music career to date?

Prior to the launch of my debut album ‘TIME’ in May 2022, I performed solo. It all started during lockdown, when I started to build an online presence posting audio and video of my creations and further collaborations with David Masson productions in late 2020 helped me further develop my sound. This culminated in my first single ‘I Wanted To’, which received considerable praise and positive feedback following an interview with airtime on Dean Jackson’s BBC Introducing radio show.

I have now put a band together this year to support me on stage with Ethan Mugglestone on keys, Matt Jelly on lead guitar, Adam Piotrowski on drums and Tristan Harris on bass. So far this year, we have played local in Leicester and most recently in Nottingham. With a few local gigs already booked coming up in the next few months including Firebug on 23rd June, The Soundhouse and The Donkey and a festival in Newark, we are keeping busy.

I am currently working on my next single called ‘Parasite’ that will be released in a few months time.

What can people expect from your upcoming gig at Firebug?

I am determined to create an atmosphere not to be forgotten. I will be playing originals from my debut album with 2 new tracks never heard before along with a few covers. The supports for the night are singer-songwriter David Masson from Liverpool and Kenton Hall from Leicester, who have been hand picked to create the perfect mix.

What is your favourite thing about Leicester’s music scene?

I like how it’s very quickly become an extended family of mine. People who I’ve only met just once or twice, either by just being a part of the audience at a gig or a part of a bill, have been so supportive on social media. It’s this amazing community that looks after one another. Other artists have recently shared my posts, given me updates on future possible gigs and I’ve gone down to support them during theirs. It’s an amazing vibrant mix of all genres and when you throw in Leicester’s diverse culture into the mix, it’s just something beautiful to be a part of.

What are your ambitions for the next 12 months?

I am currently working on my 2nd album with a new single to be released in a few months time. Apart from the music production side of things, I would like to play all over the UK. Being on stage is where I belong, and I plan to book more bigger venues and more festivals next year.

Where can people hear more from you?

You can buy the CD or download Amy’s debut Album ‘TIME’ on Bandcamp.

You can also stream and download it on all platforms-

The gig at Firebug is on Friday 23 June and tickets are available here –

Facebook • Instagram • Tik tok – Amy.dx