Music

Photo from Previous Festival - 2026 Acts May Vary

Get ready for a weekend of live music, local talent and unexpected surprises across Riverside Festival.

Main Stage (bede Park)

This year brings an exciting change, with the Main Stage moving into Bede Park, allowing the site to stay open later so you can enjoy the music, funfair and atmosphere for longer.

SATURDAY

12:00 – 13:00    Tots Rave: Deejay Juvie x Louisa Darling

13:15 – 13:45    Mirchi Mob

Mirchi Mob is a groundbreaking act fusing South Asian roots with UK rave culture. Their 3-piece live show blends classical tabla, high-energy DJ sets, spoken word, and raw rap vocals into one powerful experience. Seamlessly moving through UK Garage, Jungle, and House, Mirchi Mob create a sound and atmosphere that is both deeply cultural and progressive. An entirely unique performance built for both festival stages and club floors.

14:00 – 15:15    Soft Touch Arts Presents

Showcasing the vibrant sounds of Leicester’s rising stars, this dynamic group of young artists brings fresh energy and creativity to the stage. These regulars at the Soft Touch Arts studios on New Walk, they have honed their craft, defined beats, sharpening lyricism, and developing a sound that’s both authentic and electrifying. Blending an eclectic mix of genres, their performances deliver captivating rhythms and powerful storytelling guaranteed to leave a lasting impression

15:30 – 16:00    Miss Fire

Miss Fire is a well-known Leicester-based singer, songwriter, and producer in the UK Garage and UK Funky music scenes. Known for underground anthems like “Fallin'” and “Take Off Your Clothes,” she has been played on national stations like BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM

16:15 – 17:15    Eava FM: 1 City 1 Celebration

The EAVA FM 1 City, 1 Celebration showcases a vibrant mix of genres and cultures, bringing the stage to life with the sounds of UK Rap, UK R&B, Reggae and Bhangra. This one-hour live stage performance celebrates Leicester’s diverse communities, reflecting our multilingual programming on 102.5 FM and proudly serving the city since 2008.

17:45 – 18:45    HQ Familia

Artists: Chantelle Marquez, Harri Georgio, Jake Thompson, Lion the Creator, T O Soul 

Chantelle Marquez is a rising independent UK artist whose cinematic, emotionally raw music is gaining rapid traction online. With social media clips reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers, she is building a powerful grassroots following. Her intense live performances and fearless storytelling mark her as one of the UK’s most compelling emerging voices.

Harri Georgio is tearing up the rulebook with his high-energy fusion of alternative rock, rap & punk. Backed by his live band, The Well-Behaved, together they’ve shared stages with the likes of The Hoosiers, Tom Meighan of Kasabian,…

Chantelle Marquez is a rising independent UK artist whose cinematic, emotionally raw music is gaining rapid traction online. With social media clips reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers, she is building a powerful grassroots following. Her intense live performances and fearless storytelling mark her as one of the UK’s most compelling emerging voices.

Harri Georgio is tearing up the rulebook with his high-energy fusion of alternative rock, rap & punk. Backed by his live band, The Well-Behaved, together they’ve shared stages with the likes of The Hoosiers, Tom Meighan of Kasabian, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Dub Pistols, The Skints and The Skinner Brothers, lighting up festivals like Y Not and and headlining BrewBeat and Riverside Festival. With heavy support from BBC Introducing, Radio 1 and 6 Music, Harri Georgio is here to shake up the scene-loud, unapologetic and unfiltered.

Jake Thompson is a Leicester-based musician raised on the early work of Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars. Jake draws on the storytelling sensibilities of early 2010s pop Singer-songwriters with a vocal delivery that can stop you in your tracks and pull you in. Jake has already received notable buzz from the likes of Spotify and BBC Introducing, the latter giving his debut single Track of the week. Now managed by HQ Familia, Jake continues to develop his sound with a growing team behind him and a clear creative vision, he is firmly focused on the next chapter of his career.

Lion the Creator is a 10 year old rapper and creator from Leicester UK. Lion is an avid gamer and you will hear lyrics inspired about his life, school & gaming. Lion has performances coming up at Riverside, BrewBeat & Shambala Festival this summer and now dropping more music in 2026! Lion is the youngest member of the HQ Familia Collective and working with the team to make music and more importantly have fun!

T O Soul is a rapper who fuses grime flows with smooth R&B tones, crafting a distinctive and sonically rich blend that feels both familiar and fresh. Even before releasing his first track, he had already headlined shows at local venues, proving his ability to command a stage. Since then, he has gone on to support Midlands rap heavyweights such as Kamakaze, Zeo Zeonardo, and other influential figures in the region’s underground scene. With three releases under his belt and an unapologetic yet melodic follow-up on the horizon, T O Soul is poised to become a defining voice in Leicester’s underground music movement. Beyond his artistry, he is also a skilled producer and sound engineer.

19:00 – 20:00    THE OLD BOY

Hailing from all over, THE OLD BOY plays an eclectic mix of soul, jazz, rare groove, funk, house, garage, hip hop, afro beats, amapiano; hitting that sweet spot between ol’ skool, nu skool and soulful. Like granary bread with the seeds; wholesome…edgy on the outside, warm in the middle!

SUNDAY

12:00 – 13:00     Tots Rave: Deejay Juvie x Louisa Darling

13:15 – 14:15     Leics Connect

Leics Connect is a group of students from across Leicester and Leicestershire who have been taking part in a 7 month music industry careers programme. They have been learning about all elements of the music industry working with professionals, experimenting with music technology and improving their skills and knowledge. For some this has been a transformation from learning music independently at home and in school, to having the confidence to showcase their talents on the Riverside stage!

14:30 – 15:00     Harry Pentony

Harry Pentony is a pop-rock singer-songwriter from Leicester, UK, known for blending raw emotional honesty with anthemic energy. Drawing inspiration from the expansive sounds of Coldplay, Keane, and U2, and the modern songwriting of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, and The 1975, his music speaks to the underdog, connecting deeply with audiences who struggle to articulate their feelings. Stepping into the spotlight as a vocalist after years as a guitarist and songwriter, Harry quickly built a reputation for emotionally charged, captivating solo performances. His live show utilizes looping and percussive guitar to create a full, dynamic sound that consistently secures prime live opportunities. Highlights include performing on BBC Introducing stages at Godiva Festival and MotoFest, and a main support slot for Tom Walker at the HMV Empire.

15:15 – 15:45     Pretty Dirty Rats

Spawned in Leicester in 2023 out of the Unglamorous Project/Riotous Collective, Pretty Dirty Rats are a 3 piece all-women alternative rock band. Releasing their debut EP in 2024, and with their second on the way, their sound ranges from angsty, melodic punk to darker, frenetic sounds, with incidental 90s nostalgic “prog punk” and “so grunge” vibes. Honing their craft through live shows, they are captivating, quirky, and have the most joyful drummer ever.

15:45 – 16:15     Nupur Arts x KAINE

Nupur Arts are Leicester’s leading South Asian Dance Organisation and today are sharing the stage with Kaine. They’ve got the Kaine choir on stage first, followed by Bollywood dance performances from their Youth group students. At the end of the set, they will be performing alongside Kaine, to bring the Riverside audience a fusion piece which combines South Asian Dance with a Gospel Choir and live music, to showcase the unity and diversity of Leicester!

16:30 – 17:45     2Funky Presents: Project LIVE

Artists: DVybrant, Poppy Valentine, Toro, Estelle, Priëst, T O Soul & Sunsun

18:00 – 19:00     Simon Phillip

The Cultural eXchanges Stage (DMU Campus)

The Cultural eXchanges stage can be found at the DSU plaza in front of the student union.  The weekend performances of music, dance and spoken word represent the creativity of DMU, Leicester and contemporary society to bring together cultures and industries.  Visit the Arts and Festivals Management information stand by the stage to discover additional workshops and talks on offer.

SATURDAY

12:00 Talent 25
12:15 DMU Dance / Moving Together
12:55 Chris Maponga
13:15 Philippa Steel
13:50 DMU Creative Writing
14:05 CD Creatives
14:20 DMU Creative Writing
14:50 Woe Battle Of The Band Winner
15:30 Syston Scout Band
16:15 Lex Pretorius
17:15 Mirchi Mob

Sunday

12:00 Syston Swing Band
13:00 Curve Youth Dance Group
13:15 Aakash Odedra Dance Company
13:45 DMU Drama Society
14:15 Bezlial Albert & Sathuska
14:45 Anish Patel
15:10 Sam The Rapper
15:45 Cashmere.FM

Busk Leicester (Castle Gardens & DMU Campus)

Acoustic performers and street entertainers are invited to attend at the Maypole area. Whether you’re an experienced musician or trying busking for the first time, you can book a slot or drop in on the day and share your talent with festival visitors.

BrightSparks Arts Creative Health Stage (Castle Gardens)

Curated by BrightSparks Arts, this stage presents live performance, spoken word, music, comedy and dance in a relaxed creative space.

The Beatbox Jukebox (Roaming)

Roaming across festival sites throughout the weekend, Leicester-based beatboxer Mr Shay brings an interactive live sound experience where audiences choose a style and watch beatbox loops created in real time. From drum & bass to hip-hop and techno, each performance is built live using looping and vocal effects for all ages.

The Riverside After Party (2Funky Complex)

Organised by 2Funky Arts, keeps the energy going into the evening. Celebrate Leicester’s creative scene, discover new talent, and enjoy the rhythm of Riverside Festival.