De Montfort Hall is a major concert hall located in Leicester City Centre that opened in 1913. It has a flexible auditorium that can seat between 400 and 2,200 people. The hall also features an outdoor amphitheater that can hold between 250 and 7,000 people. During its history, De Montfort Hall has hosted many famous musical artists from Buddy Holly to Pink Floyd. Today, it remains the largest live entertainment venue in Leicester and hosts a variety of shows including concerts, musicals, comedy acts, and graduations.

1. De Montfort Hall
Jacob Bird

2. De Montfort Hall is a major concert hall located in Leicester City Centre and set in its own grounds.
The hall was opened in 1913 and is a direct provision by Leicester City Council. Its infrastructure
comprises a flexible auditorium that can be laid out in a number of different ways (tiered, standing,
cabaret, dance floor etc) and with a 400 to 2,200 capacity, four bars and the outdoor amphitheatre
with a capacity from 250 to 7,000. The hall houses an historic organ - the only surviving example
of a large concert organ constructed by Leicester organ builders Stephen Taylor and Son Ltd. The
organ was a gift to the town by local industrialist Alfred Corah. De Montfort Hall was mainly used
as a concert venue when it was first opened, although during the First World War it was used as a
drill hall. During this time Edward Elgar and Sir Malcolm Sargent played in the venue - the latter
helping to found Leicester Symphony Orchestra. During the Second World War the hall was once
again used for both military and civilian purposes, with one highlight being a concert by the Glenn
Miller Orchestra for American troops before their dispatch to Europe.

3. After the war the venue reverted back to a concert hall and meeting venue, with every
top name appearing over the years on the stage, including: Buddy Holly 1958 The
Beatles 1963 (twice) & 1964 Dusty Springfield 1963 & 1964 The Rolling Stones 1964
(three times) 1965 & 1976 Status Quo 1968 1973 & 1984 Elton John 1971 &
1973 Pink Floyd 1972 David Bowie 1973 AC/DC 1979 The Police 1979 Iron Maiden
1980 1982 1983 1984 1986 1990 Bon Jovi 1986 REM 1989 De Montfort Hall now
hosts an incredible variety of entertainment and is still the largest live entertainment
venue in the city. The hall is known for the quality of its shows, including many West
End musicals, the latest rock and pop acts, top comedians, opera and orchestra, ballet
and dance and children’s shows. It is also holds Navratri celebrations each year as well
as university graduations and is available for hire as a wedding and conference venue.