In March, more than 50 local bands squeezed into the Charlotte to give it a proper send-off before it made way for flats. It should have been a shambles, but somehow it worked and it's happening all over again.

This time round, it's good news – we're celebrating the opening of a new gig venue, The Auditorium, and the party starts on Saturday.

Silent Resistance

It's called the We Are Leicester Festival, and with so many on the bill, it's hard to know where to start.

So why not with Silent Resistance, a five-piece who have been together in their current line-up since September.

They like their rock, and the dream gig would be to play Download, but they're pretty excited about The Auditorium too.

"The Auditorium is a fantastic idea and we think it will give a much-needed boost to our city's live music scene, especially after the closing of The Charlotte," says lead singer Ryan Tailor.

"The capacity plays a big part in a venue's ability to draw the bigger acts, and The Auditorium should hopefully be able to cater for the demand for outside talent coming into Leicester."

The Carnival Clowns, who formed in November, played on the last night of the Charlotte and are looking forward to a repeat performance of the all-night party.

"I think it's about time someone made a brave move and did this in Leicestershire," says singer and guitarist Danny Orton. "I think it will be very successful if they get the right bands in and cater for a wide audience.

"It's exciting to see Leicester coming together musically and changing over the last year or so and I think it will help put Leicester on the map just that little bit more."

If you're looking for something a little different, nine-piece Madagaska will be playing, erm, ska of course, on a specially set up outdoor stage. They've been going since 2008 and are proud to have helped introduce the sounds of The Specials, Madness, Prince Buster and the like to young fans across Leicester.

Tim Clamp, one of two saxophonists in the band, reckons The Auditorium is going to be "huge" for the city's music scene. "We are definitely looking forward to the gig," he tells The Week. "We played the last night of the Charlotte and it was buzzing so we are all hoping for more of the same. We have taken a month out and it's really exciting to start gigging again especially with such a big gig as this.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Last Edition, The Splitters and will more than likely come a bit earlier to catch The Weekend Schemers."

Also on the bill are alternative rockers Paladin, who have been together for five months.

"I think The Auditorium is a fantastic chance for Leicester to put itself back on the musical map," says band member Craig Shaw. "I'm really looking forward to Leicester having a venue which brings back the old romance of the Charlotte and hopefully it will do this. It's set to be a big night."

Guitarist and singer Greg Shute, of Free Control, reckons there is enough room for the Auditorium despite the imminent opening of Leicester's new O2 Academy.

"Although it will be up against some stiff competition with other new venues opening, we believe there is definitely enough of a varied music scene in Leicester for the Auditorium to succeed as well as the currently established and brand new venues," she says. "Leicester has been starved of major touring music for too long, and now the city is going to be a major stopping point for national and international acts, as well as being able to host the wealth of local talent that deserves to perform in a dedicated music venue.

"We are particularly looking forward to seeing the Daydream Club, Carnival Clowns, Rassoodocks, and Megadub – but we know for sure that there will be loads of exciting bands playing that we just have not heard yet."

Info

The We Are Leicester Festival takes place at The Auditorium, in Market Place, on Saturday, starting at midday.

Other bands on the bill include Echo Marley, Last Edition, The Dobsons, Formal Warning, Room 300 and Skinny Bones. There are loads more. For more information, search for We Are Leicester Festival at: