We Love Leicester

Situated on campus at University of Leicester Students’ Union, O2 Academy Leicester opened its doors to both students and music-loving residents in the city in September 2010. Housed in the award-winning Percy Gee building, O2 Academy Leicester sits on one of the oldest sites on the main campus. Originally built in 1957, there was a fantastic line-up of musical icons that played here in its former incarnation with the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Smiths and The Jam all appearing. An 18-month major refurbishment transformed the original Students’ Union into an amazing new space and O2 Academy Leicester was added as part of this project.

O2 Academy Leicester is both a live music and club space, with three rooms that attract all kinds of artists from major acts to smaller on bands on the up and events cover a wide variety of genres. The opening night saw chart-topping rapper Professor Green play his first non-festival show of the year to a sold out crowd. The launch night was closely followed by outstanding performances from Plan B, Chase and Status and Frank Turner, and just a year later O2 Academy Leicester hosted one of the most anticipated live shows from celebrated local band Kasabian, who played a homecoming show in association with BBC Radio 1. Other highlights since opening include shows from Blondie, Nero, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Courteeners, Bastille and Ben Howard. 

2010
O2 Academy Leicester opens with an explosive performance from UK rapper Professor Green
2011
Kasabian play an exclusive homecoming show in association with BBC Radio 1. This intimate show came just before the Leicester band jetted off on a world tour
2013
Pete Doherty brings Babyshambles to O2 Academy Leicester and they play a roaring set of the band’s classic hits and new material
2014
Mercury Music Prize winners Young Fathers play a show at the venue
2015
O2 Academy Leicester hosts the Handmade Festival, an independent music and arts event. Slaves, Eagulls, Honeyblood and Toy all play
2015
The View, The Charlatans, Moose Blood, Sleaford Mods, Coasts, Steel Panther and Funeral For A Friend perform