Leah Wilcox Headlines BANG at The Hairy Dog This October

Alpha Pro Creative and Fuzz Music Services are bringing another night of emerging music to Derby this October, with Leah Wilcox joined by JJ Lovegrove and Derventio for BANG at The Hairy Dog.

Taking place on Sunday 4 October, BANG is the promoters’ bi-monthly gig night, built around bringing fresh music to Derby while keeping things accessible. It runs from 6pm until 9pm, meaning you can have your Sunday dinner, squeeze in a gig and still get home at a vaguely sensible time before Monday morning arrives.

Headlining is Leah Wilcox, a Midlands songwriter whose journey started at Derby open mics when she was just 15. Now 22, Wilcox describes herself as a “gritty glitterball of a songwriter”, mixing romance, fun and edge with songs exploring the female experience.

Her hazy indie pop-rock and alt-Americana sound takes influence from artists including Alanis Morissette, Fleetwood Mac, Lola Young, CMAT, Bess Atwell and Suzanne Vega. Joined by the band she affectionately calls “her chikas”, expect plenty of energy, a little choreography and songs that retain the grounded songwriting at the centre of her music.

Also heading to The Hairy Dog is Nottingham-based independent artist JJ Lovegrove.

Lovegrove has previously supported Another Sky, Colouring, Penelope Trappes, Jesca Hoop and Roxanne De Bastion, alongside festival appearances including Glastonbury, Dot To Dot and Deerstock.

Her second album, ‘History Is The Struggle Of Becoming’, was recorded and produced by Mercury Prize-nominated Ed Harcourt and combines dark art-pop, cinematic textures and Lovegrove’s haunting vocals. It’s an intriguing addition to a lineup that covers plenty of ground across alternative music.

Completing BANG are Chesterfield four-piece Derventio.

Formed in January 2026 after meeting through an open mic in their hometown, the young Derbyshire band combine poetic lyrics and personal experiences with dynamic vocals and tight instrumentation. They’re currently working on a new EP while steadily building connections and a following across the local scene.

A Sunday Night Supporting New Music

As with other Alpha Pro Creative and Fuzz Music Services shows, there’s a strong grassroots approach behind BANG.

Artists receive a fair share of ticket sales through a door split, with promoter expenses taken out afterwards. Neither the promoters nor The Hairy Dog take commission from band merchandise either, so buying a ticket or picking something up from the merch table puts money directly back into the artists.

BANG takes place at The Hairy Dog, Derby, on Sunday 4 October 2026 from 6pm until 9pm. Tickets are £7 advance plus booking fee or £10 on the door. The event is 16+, with under-18s accompanied by an adult.

Topics