By Gemma Peplow

Yes, we know it was inevitable, but that doesn't mean there won't be a few tears shed over the loss of the Charlotte to student flats. We know we've been harping on about the ghosts of Charlotte past since it closed the first time, in January last year, but indulge us again – it is officially the Last Night Ever on Saturday.

So we'll go through that impressive list of past glories again: Oasis, The Killers, Radiohead, Kasabian, Robert Plant, Blur, Primal Scream, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Coldplay, Scissor Sisters, The Zutons, Stone Roses, Muse, Supergrass, Manic Street Preachers and The Libertines ...

There are more, but we're running out of space and we'd like to concentrate on the Charlotte present, specifically the 50-plus acts playing at Saturday's all-night party.

Seven acoustic acts, 18 DJs and 29 bands will all squeeze into the Oxford Road venue between 4pm on Saturday and 6am on Sunday.

Here are a few to tell us what the Charlotte has meant to them. Sob.

Free Control, who describe their sound as "psychedelic trip-hop rock," are taking to the main stage.

Singer Sally Hossack, 31, says: "It'll be a sad day, definitely.

"I saw all my first big gigs there. I remember seeing the Scratch Perverts quite a lot and lots of local rock bands.

"I saw The Specials there. I think I saw Nine Inch Nails there, too.

"It was quite a special venue when it had the separate front bit. I think maybe it started losing its charm when it was knocked through."

Jordan Birtles, the 17-year-old lead singer of M48, says Leicester is losing a piece of its history.

"We're looking forward to playing but it'll be sad as well," he says. "We've been playing there for a few years – I think it was our second gig.

"I didn't see any of the big bands because I was too young, but it was a place to go and enjoy young bands.

"I think the last night is going to be mayhem, a night to remember."

Matt Williamson, 22, of ska-pop-punk band Last Edition, says: "It's such a shame, especially because it's making way for student flats, there are so many of them in the city anyway.

"There are so many people who have stories, memories. You just had to look at all the posters that used to be up, showing all the big bands that have passed through."

If you're thinking of checking them out, Last Edition are "McFly pop, mixed with attitude, louder guitars and some horns".

Weekend Schemers have been together for about a year.

Lead guitarist Conor Evans, 17, is looking on the bright side.

"It'll be sad but there are other venues, like The Shed."

Info

The Charlotte, Oxford Road, Leicester, bows out on Saturday and Sunday. Acts include Free Control, Last Edition, Echolocation, BoobyTraps, The Hordes, The Kicks, Eaves, Formal Warning, The Dobsons, Weekend Schemers, Carnival Clowns, Charlie & the Martyrs, Autohype, The Heroes, Free Control, The Fazed, Stephen and the Heathens, Dead Slow, SuperEvolver, Electrical Language, Drive by Disco, Raptor Captor, Furrowed Fox, Rassoodocks, MangoMafia, Tommys Heroes, The Rugged Soundsystem, MadagaSKA and Megadub.

'How many big bands did their first Leicester gig at the Charlotte?'

“IT’S a very sad loss for the music scene in Leicester not only because it was a great place to see local bands play, but also a place to catch fresh new bands from all ove r the UK and beyond.

“How many big bands did their first Leicester gig at the Charlotte? Too many to mention, I daresay... The Gaye Bykers on Acid did their first proper Leicester gig there and for that reason I will always remember the place fondly.”

Mary Byker, Gaye Bykers on Acid

“IT’S a shame the Princess Charlotte is closing. It was a great venue and was a haven for many of us from the late 70s onwards, one of the few places in Leicester where alternative culture and music thrived.

“I played there many times with The Bomb Party and The Mekons. Have seen many great bands there over the years and I remember when the band area had no roof and it was just a backyard with a stage.

“I once got locked in the backstage area by accident when The Sadies were playing and had to wait for them to finish three songs before anyone heard me to let me out!”

Sarah Corina, The Bomb Party and The Mekons

"I USED to go to the Charlotte first in 1979 as it was one of the few punk-friendly pubs, and carried on till I left Leicester in 2000.

“Some great memories: Hearing Born to be Wild in the 70s there again and again on the jukebox and never getting bored.

“The excitement when they first put bands on out the back in the early 80s, and the fun playing when first in a band, then going back for Christmas gigs when we were almost famous. Carrying on playing there when we couldn't get arrested and still loving it!

“Living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia has its share of "interesting" bars but it is a great shame to learn the wonderful Charlotte has gone."

Ian Anderson, Crazyhead

“IT seemed everyone wanted to play the Charlotte in the early 90s, when I was going to gigs all the time, and I took it for granted that I’d get to see every obscure band I loved there.

“Later, when we were meeting other bands at venues miles away, it seemed everyone had heard of Leicester because they’d played at, been to or read about the

Charlotte.

“For me, it was at its best as a slightly dog-eared pub with band posters covering the walls and a venue at the back. I still miss it.”

Linda Steelyard, Prolapse