Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-international-leicester"><a href="https://www.the-international.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The International</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="610" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/anna_erhard.jpg" alt="Anna Erhard The International Arts Centre Leicester" class="wp-image-55963" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/anna_erhard.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/anna_erhard-300x183.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/anna_erhard-768x468.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Folkies and jazz lovers will no-doubt already be mourning the demise of The Musician on Crafton St West, which is set to close it&#8217;s doors after 25 epic years of musical splendour, but all is not lost, as events have moved over to The International, just up the road on Garden Street. Cool girl <a href="https://the-international.gigantic.com/anna-erhard-tickets/leicester-the-international/2025-03-14-19-00" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anna Erhard</a> (above) is on our watch list for March, with <a href="https://the-international.gigantic.com/lucca-mae-tickets/leicester-the-international/2025-05-18-19-30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucca Mae</a> on stage later in the year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-roadmender-northampton"><a href="https://www.theroadmender.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Roadmender</a>, Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Roadmender.jpeg" alt="The Roadmender Northampton live music venue" class="wp-image-55969" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Roadmender.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Roadmender-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Roadmender-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Back in the day, The Roadmender saw the likes of Radiohead, Oasis and the Manics perform on stage early in their careers, whilst &#8217;90s teenagers could also get sweaty at regular club nights (who remembers Car Wash?). Since then, the venue has evolved hugely and the loos are a bit nicer, and continues on as a grass roots arts venue, with recent acts including Pete Doherty, The Wonderstuff and Frank Turner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-picturedrome-northampton"><a href="https://www.thepicturedrome.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Picturedrome</a>, Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Billy-Lockett-Picturedrome.jpg" alt="Billy Lockett playing piano Picturedrom Northampton" class="wp-image-55977" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Billy-Lockett-Picturedrome.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Billy-Lockett-Picturedrome-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Billy-Lockett-Picturedrome-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cowgirl boots on? Taylored Swift is coming up at this much loved Kettering Road venue, along with plenty of other fun tribute acts, but you can occasionally catch a right belter on the Picturedrome stage. If you&#8217;re a fan of singer-songwriter and star of The Voice, Northampton&#8217;s own Billy Lockett (<a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/my-favourite-places-singer-songwriter-billy-lockett/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our interview with Billy here</a>), you&#8217;ll be extremely lucky to get your mitts on tickets for his <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/billy-locketts-christmas-show-2025-tickets-1110318194609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas shows</a> here on 14 &amp; 15 Dec, but if you can go, make sure you do. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-black-prince-northampton"><a href="https://www.theblackprincenn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Black Prince</a>, Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Blacl-prince-northampton.jpg" alt="Black Prince music venue Northampton" class="wp-image-55978" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Blacl-prince-northampton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Blacl-prince-northampton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Blacl-prince-northampton-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;m not sure if you&#8217;re supposed to admit to this kind of thing but I was once barred from this pub. A very long time ago, I might add, when it used to be called The Racehorse. I can&#8217;t remember why, but they did eventually let me back in, which is good because <em>everyone</em> went there, and they still do. It&#8217;s one of the best venues for live music in Northampton, with regular record fairs too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-de-montfort-hall-leicester"><a href="https://www.demontforthall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Montfort Hall</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/The-Darkness-De-Montfort-Hall-Leicester.jpg" alt="The Darkness De Montfort Hall Leicester" class="wp-image-55951" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/The-Darkness-De-Montfort-Hall-Leicester.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/The-Darkness-De-Montfort-Hall-Leicester-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/The-Darkness-De-Montfort-Hall-Leicester-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re already clutching tickets for Tim Minchin, The Darkness (above), David Gray and the one and only Gary Barlow in our sweaty palms, all of whom are set to perform at De Montfort Hall in 2025, along with loads of other great acts. This fantastic venue has been pleasing the music-loving public since 1913 and is the home of the Leicester Symphony Orchestra. There&#8217;s plenty of scenic outside space, making it perfect for summer concerts and festivals and past luminaries to grace the stage include The Beatles and Bob Dylan. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-o2-academy-leicester"><a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyleicester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">O2 Academy</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="848" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Jo-Whiley-90s-Anthems-848x1024.jpeg" alt="Jo Whiley 90s Anthems o2 Academy Leicester" class="wp-image-55958" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Jo-Whiley-90s-Anthems-848x1024.jpeg 848w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Jo-Whiley-90s-Anthems-249x300.jpeg 249w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Jo-Whiley-90s-Anthems-768x927.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Jo-Whiley-90s-Anthems.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jo Whiley&#8217;s 90s Anthems</figcaption></figure>



<p>The second biggest venue in Leicester (After De Montfort Hall), the O2 also has a second, baby venue on site, the O2 take 2, if you will. There are lots of tribute acts and student nights, but it&#8217;s generally pretty fun, with Jo Whiley set to DJ her now iconic &#8217;90s Anthems in May this year, and Martin Kemp spinning the decks 80s style in November.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shed-leicester"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/getintheshed94/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Shed</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Shed.jpg" alt="Wargasm at The Shed Leicester" class="wp-image-55948" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Shed.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Shed-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/Shed-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wargasm performing at The Shed</figcaption></figure>



<p>This Leicester icon has been pleasing music-loving crowds for over 30 years and it&#8217;s where Kasabian played their first ever gig in 1998. Famous bands are good and everything, but we kind of love the karaoke nights more than a little bit. Since the olden times it&#8217;s been lavishly refurbed and now boasts 2 event spaces and is open during the day with super fast wifi and coffee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-soundhouse-leicester"><a href="https://www.thesoundhouseleicester.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Soundhouse</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/soundhouse-Leicester.jpg" alt="Soundhouse Leicester music venue open mic night" class="wp-image-55985" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/soundhouse-Leicester.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/soundhouse-Leicester-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/soundhouse-Leicester-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can&#8217;t miss The Soundhouse if you&#8217;re wandering through Leicester&#8217;s Cultural Quarter, with it&#8217;s brightly painted facade. This super friendly venue welcomes a mixture of local and touring artists in a range of genres, as well as hosting one of the best loved open mic nights in the city. The colourful courtyard garden is fab in summer too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-firebug-leicester"><a href="https://firebugbar.net/whats-on/music-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Firebug</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/firebug.jpg" alt="Firebug Leicester" class="wp-image-55990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/firebug.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/firebug-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/firebug-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Opened in 2004, Firebug is loved by people from all walks of life for its intimate club nights, live music and stand-up comedy, as well as photography and art exhibitions and indie film screenings, with live performances from the likes of Foals, Dutch Uncles, Johnny Foreigner, Frank Turner, Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-charles-bradlaugh-northampton"><a href="https://www.thecharlesbradlaugh.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Charles Bradlaugh</a>, Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="708" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/TCB-Northampton.jpg" alt="The Charles Bradlaugh Northampton" class="wp-image-55993" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/TCB-Northampton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/TCB-Northampton-300x212.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/02/TCB-Northampton-768x544.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wednesday night Jazz and Blues at The Bradlaugh has been going strong for 12 years, with regular House Band Ginger Pig Quartet and numerous other acts taking to the stage too. We can&#8217;t say we&#8217;re not absolute megafans of Tuesday Bandeoke nights &#8211; kareoke with a live band &#8211; don&#8217;t knock it &#8217;til you&#8217;ve tried it. </p>


Turn it up! 10 live music venues near you

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