Former Spandau Ballet star brings his DJ set to Leicester this weekend

by Katie McKenna

Former Spandau Ballet bassist and EastEnders star Martin Kemp is bringing his DJ set tour to Leicester this weekend(JUNE3). 

After his last performance at Leeds, Martin Kemp is set to perform the next show of his Back to the 80’s DJ Set Tour at the Athena Events Venue in Leicester. 

The first night is set to take place this Saturday at 7pm, with tickets costing £24.75 each. 

A second night was planned to take place at the O2 Academy later on the 24th of this month, but the event was cancelled, despite the event still being listed on Ticketmaster. 

Kemp has been touring since 2020 and shows no sign of stopping, with planned tour dates listing all the way to June 2024. 

Fans who miss his show in Leicester can next expect to see him perform in Carlisle on the 16th later this month. It is unknown if he plans to return to Leicester within the next year. 

Once again, the forest calls your name

By Lola Bailey

The forestry festival is back for another year in Belvoir Castle this weekend (FRI, JUNE2-SUN4). 

The biggest music festival in the Midlands, Forbidden Forest Festival, has over 30,000 people attend each year and over 50 artists playing such as Bru-C, Todd Terry, Andy C and many more.  

Final tickets have been released and their prices start at £60.50. 

On its website, the festival says: “This magical eighth edition has grown to welcome a Forbidden Family of more than 30,000 gathering in the woods.” 

For tickets and more information go to https://www.forbidden-forest.co.uk

DMU student left stranded after Harry Styles concert

By Faith Agbonson

Stranded: Lola Bailey at Birmingham train station

A DMU student was left stranded on a half-deserted train platform for hours after a night out at a concert. 

Nineteen-year-old DMU student Lola Bailey was left deserted after they attended a Harry Styles concert last Tuesday (23 May). 

After a thrilling concert experience, Lola expected to take the last train of the night at 10:04pm, however, the performance unexpectedly ran over time. They were left with no choice but to catch the next train from Coventry Arena to Nuneaton. 

After arriving at Nuneaton, they checked their phone, looking for which train to get next. Unfortunately, the very train they needed to board had left just as they realised what was happening. 

Following a train officer’s guidance, they took a different train to Birmingham New Street in hope of being able to switch there for a Leicester-bound train.

However, the last train to Leicester had gone – and they were left to wait there for almost five hours for the earliest train at 5:19am. 

Train staff at New Street were confused as to why the officer had sent them there and sympathetically offered them food and drink. Sadly, that did not solve the issue of the cold night air. 

Lola said: “I only had a short-sleeved T-shirt and my Pride flag over my shoulders, but a wonderful lady that went to the concert as well offered me her concert blanket. 

“I still have the blanket and plan on taking it to all my future concerts.” 

Although the experience was a tough one, they learnt much from this predicament and know now to always stay prepared when it comes to travelling late at night. 

“Next time, I’ll be sure to think smart and plan my train times better,” said Lola. 

Apart from the awful situation, Lola is happy they heard the songs Fine Line and Medicine live. 

City Council’s Riverside Festival is back

By Nisa Dari

The Leicester Riverside Festival is taking place this weekend at Bede Park with many activities to keep family and children engaged.

On June 3 and 4, the city council will hold many activities and events including, an acoustic stage delivered by Leicester venue, The Musician, which also has a licensed bar for people to get drinks from whilst they enjoy the show.

A new spot at the Riverside Festival has been opened up called the Heritage Hotspots which enables people to take a peek into the past from Leicester City Council’s archive. It’s an opportunity for people to see how the city and the River Soar has changed over the years.

During the festival people can try street food snacks to let their tastebuds tour the globe by visiting stalls which have a range of international cuisines. There will be food available for vegetarians, vegans and some offering gluten free options.

If you want more information, go to https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/riverside-festival-p704771

The Smyths celebrate 20 years as tribute band

By Shreeya Vaja

The Smyths are coming to O2 Academy, Leicester, once again to play homage to the iconic sound of the indie band, and to celebrate 20 years together.

The group are one of the most respected tributes to The Smiths and aim to keep the band’s music alive through playing tours throughout the UK.

The Smyths are playing the O2 academy Leicester on Saturday, October 21, with doors set to open at 7pm.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.