Browsing Tag

Leicester

Leicester’s largest venue, Athena, adds live music to their offerings in 2023

Posted on 17 April 2023

Despite being a major city in the UK, Leicester often gets overlooked by touring musicians; to help put the city back on the music map and cook up a culture fix for its residents, Athena Events Ltd have reopened the iconic Grade II listed building, Athena, as a music venue.

Musicians, performers, comedians, and any creative who can draw a crowd of 450+ are invited to perform at the city centre location, whether that be as part of a city-wide tour or a one-off event. The venue boasts a tiered 1,200 standing capacity on the ground floor, a 700 standing capacity balcony, a grand foyer, and three bar areas – all of which retain their original art deco features. Rest assured that the décor is the only thing quaintly dated about Athena and its 2000 square metres of floor space. All the audio and visual equipment are state-of-the-art and full technical support will be provided to ensure that every show goes without a hitch. Touring musicians will also be able to get their game faces on in style with the four en-suite dressing rooms backstage.

It may have been constructed as an Odeon Cinema in 1936, but the multi-level venue couldn’t be more fitting for a live music location. The largest music venue in the East Midlands has previously hosted an array of artists who are just as iconic as the décor, including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, S Club 7, Olly Murs, and Leicester’s very own homegrown luminaries, Kasabian. Now, the events team at Athena are on a mission to make this hidden gem in the live music world as revered as The Troxy in London. It already rivals the aesthetic. Now it can rival the acclaim.

In addition to the live music billings, Athena will continue to host corporate events for their loyal and prestigious clients, sporting events, exhibitions, weddings, conferences, and plenty more. The gig diary is expected to fill up fast, so get your bookings in now.

For more information, or to make a booking, contact events@athenacb.co.uk or call the office on 0116 262 6556.

Find Athena online at www.athenacb.co.uk, and on social media @athenaleicester.

For more music industry news, follow our A&R Factory blog.

Article by Amelia Vandergast

Kane Winehouse shows the fight needed to stay above the cruel carnage on ‘Calm During the Storm’

Posted on 30 July 2022

Keeping his emotions real and guiding his soul away from the fires that can burn you out forever, Kane Winehouse is so grateful that he is alive right now on ‘Calm During the Storm‘.

Kane Winehouse is a Leicester, UK-based indie hip hop artist who has impressively made it out of the matrix and continues to develop spiritually.

”Raw and rejuvenating, he uses his writing process as a way of healing through his own hardships and wants to take his listeners along for the journey.” ~ Kane Winehouse

Praying for tomorrow and sensing that he is so lucky to be alive and wants to take advantage of this fact, Kane Winehouse sends a toast to all those actual warriors who have stuck by his side even when the winds blew many away into the darkness. There is an underground brilliance here that is rather incredibly ear-warming and takes you back to the streets where real music lives.

‘Calm During the Storm‘ from Leicester, UK-based indie hip hop artist Kane Winehouse is one of the best songs with a proper message you might hear all year. There is a calming nature on offer from an enlighten figure who has emerged from the floor. With a letter to the world that should inspire many to keep the faith, this is a track to nod your head with and turn up real loud.

When you believe you can win, anything is possible no matter the current climate.

Hear this fab new single on Spotify and check out the progress on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Reading native SamBaah17 hopes that the tormented girl finds her way out of the scary darkness on ‘Cigarette Scars’ (feat. Harri Georgio)

Posted on 20 July 2022

Taken from his much-awaited upcoming EP called ‘Can’t Actually Party‘, SamBaah17 tells us the story of that scarily abusive guy who lacks class when he should treat his princess much better on ‘Cigarette Scars‘ (feat. Harri Georgio).

Samuel Baah II aka SamBaah17 is a Reading, UK-born indie alt-Hip hop solo artist who is currently studying at the University of Leicester.

”However, there is a subtle solemn undertone, discussing a major (but) sensitive issue through the lyrics, spreading awareness and providing verbal support for women who are abused by men.” ~ SamBaah17

Featuring the hugely talented music producer Harri Georgio on this striking track, this is an excellent single from SamBaah17 that has a genuine message infused inside and is presented with a fresh edge to a troubling topic.

”SamBaah17 understands people who are in these situations, although he has not been in this predicament, it seems that his intent was for listeners to possibly identify themselves with these characters if needed.” ~ SamBaah17

‘Cigarette Scars‘ (feat. Harri Georgio) from Leicester, UK-based indie alt-Hip hop artist SamBaah17 is a vital reminder to all those who are with the wrong person that it’s not okay how they are being treated. Performed with a desire to spread the word and to help those who need to hear this honesty right now – we are treated to an inspiring song – that will surely wake up so many who are being hurt for no reason and need to walk away.

Ultimately, those scars aren’t worth it when you are with someone who doesn’t treat you like you deserve.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leicester’s Her Burden refuses to follow the fake sheep who have faulty morals on ‘Better Than Me’

Posted on 2 July 2022

After roaring into our lives with their terrific single from late 2021 with ‘Way Too Good for Me‘, Her Burden pumps up the voltage to giddy heights of brilliance with a feast of meaty drum-filled energy to savour on ‘Better Than Me‘.

Her Burden is a powerfully constructed Leicester, UK-based indie alt-rock/punk band who is known for their thunderously exciting live performances at local festivals.

Breaking the door down and dragging out those fake leaders who live two lives and prey on the less fortunate, Her Burden rips the masks off and leads us to happier lands. They are in guitar-smashing form here and take us on a thrilling ride that will surely exhilarate our taste buds and give us all something to rejoice in when we needed it most.

‘Better Than Me‘ from Leicester, UK-based indie alt-rock/punk band Her Burden is a marvellous single from a well-respected outfit who is only rising upwards. Blessing the airwaves with a rocket-fueled song that is all about showing they refuse to lower their morals to be cool or accepted, this is a purposeful message for many to learn from.

With a sledgehammer sound and breathtaking vocals, which seem to shake your core awake, a track with substance is on offer here for those who want to know that they have the right mindset too.

Listen up to his ear-pleaser on Spotify and check out more info on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leicester’s Olly E hopes that we can join together and find those ‘Connections’ again

Posted on 10 May 2022

Bringing us a wall-breaking message that urges us to shatter this moody curse that is clouding so many millions from their true purpose, Olly E wonders if the time will come when we join hands to be saved from ourselves again on, ‘Connections‘.

Olly E is a Leicester, UK-based alt-rock artist who also performs with his live backing band and makes a sterling blend of inspiring music packed with punchy riffs to savour.

”Connections is written about the need to come together and forget our differences in order to create a better world. We can be brought up to hate through a need to fit in when deep down we’re wired to get along. The message that kindness forms the path forward whereas division leads to ruin displays the track’s vision to unite in order to save humanity from self-destruction“. ~ Olly E

With an enthusiastic display that captures your attention right away, Olly E breaks away all previous barriers and shows us that by staying positive, life is such a better place to be inside no matter what the challenges.

”As an outsider, missing a sense of belonging has fuelled a fire within Olly E as reflected in his lyrics, when thoughts become words on the page. Seeking solace in songwriting, he aims to give hope through his music to those who feel lost or alone.” ~ Olly E

‘Connections‘ from Leicester, UK-based alt-rock artist Olly E is one of those cheerful singles with a real message for us to learn from in this negative time for humanity. His aura is optimistic and with catchy lyrics and vocals that remind you of the 90s, this is an old soul who is sure that things will change for the better eventually.

An uplifting vibe awaits all those who have an open mind to see that there is actually hope, as music is that healing energy after all.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Rise And Shine: Leicester rock artist Olly E pushes away the fears on ‘Through Oblivion’

Posted on 24 December 2021

As he uplifts us all to brush off anything holding us back in achieving all our goals in this short life, Olly E sends us a fighter-like message of hope on his new single ‘Through Oblivion‘.

Olly E is a Leicester, UK-based alt-rock solo artist. This is a confident musician who blends in rock, pop-punk, rap and pop, as he seeks to help others find hope through the darkness during these challenging times for humanity.

”About the celebration of life, being grateful for the small things and keeping a positive mindset, the track explores Olly E’s purpose, of bringing hope through music.” ~ Olly E

With a spirited vocal experience and smooth raps that shakes your attitude up from its previous unhealthy slumber, Olly E is rather beaming – on this find-that-sun single – that shows us that he will never let anything or anyone bring him down no matter what.

‘Through Oblivion‘ from the Leicester, UK-based alt-rock solo musician Olly E inspires us to take charge and to never let anything hold us back. This is a mindset-shifting anthem that urges us to feel that much-needed gratitude, which shall have you smiling so brightly and in turn helping others to face their fears head-on to conquer all. Life is better when you are on the right path after all.

Listen to this honest new single on Spotify and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The sweet sounds of Leicester: The Gabriels throw us a debut gem into the ‘Loose Canyon’

Posted on 19 February 2021

The Gabriels bring that catchy exciting vibe that is wrapped with tasty goodness, on their electric debut track called. ‘Loose Canyon‘.

Formed due to their love of good music and that jangle crush guitar sweet lovin’, Leicester’s five-piece indie-pop outfit The Gabriels, make that top tier music to turn up and immerse your self into. For a new act they have a mature sound that grips you tight and gives you a hug, with a freshly-poured pint and a cheeky smile.

While anxious England is the mist of a dark and depressing cloud that just won’t go away, this is a caressed song that makes you feel fresh again and ready for that well-needed adventure.

With sweetly honey-lathered vocals and an excellent assortment of electric and acoustic guitars, meshed together as always by the vital drummer, this is a band that is such a pleasurable listen as the smashing solos make it even better on the battered souls, still reeling from evil 2020.

This is story about you love being home but just want to travel again and get out for a while to see other parts of the world. The band are tightly knit and thrill our souls with a debut performance that gets you grooving and moving, with your head bobbing and your feet tapping. The urge to get out of your hometown is massive and this is a highly relatable topic that makes you think of being in the sun, exploring your surroundings and meeting new faces with character.

‘Loose Canyon‘ from the sensational new Leicester act The Gabriels, is a song that will fill your heart with that genuine joy that is so hard to find in this mysteriously complicated world. They make that special and simply stupendous music that sounds so good and might make you forget to do the dishes.

Hear and see this jangly guitar road-tripping blanket warmer on Bandcamp, YouTube, Spotify and see their adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

UK singer Kane sings about being cheated on with debut single ‘Guilty’

Posted on 12 September 2020

UK singer Kane sings about being cheated on by the girl of his dreams on the debut track ‘Guilty‘.

Kane is a singer-songwriter from Leicester in England. He was enjoying himself in Australia and on the holiday of his dreams. Then of course, corona struck, and he had to go home. No worries however. This has lead to him making his debut song and this is a well-sung track that strikes deep inside the heart like a flaming shooter, the story is so real and the taste is bitter.

You are with someone that you care about so much. The love is real and you are happy. Then suddenly, something is different. You have a feeling that something is a bit off and you think that she might be seeing someone else. You ask about who she is chatting to on her phone and you get a vague answer. You know now that you were right. It’s not just some guy and she looks guilty. Things are now bleak and the love is over.

‘Guilty‘ from the new singer Kane is a fine debut effort. The lyrics are so well constructed and the energy matches what is going on. He got cheated on which is a horrible feeling. Luckily, he is a resistant young man who will learn from this and be stronger. This is a quality effort and we might be witnessing a new name to watch in the UK music scene.

Click here to stream.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen