'Indie Folk at its very finest'- BBC Introducing East Midlands.

Since 2014, Idle Empire’s rip-roaring Indie/Folk style has been turning the gentlest of acoustic sessions into a table banging, fist pumping carnival of pleasure. Prepare your ears for salty, anecdotal lyrics, sweet gypsy violin licks, thumping rhythm section and driving guitars. 

Oxley & Horton first established themselves as a successful acoustic duo on the local scene in Leicester. A search to expand the band proved fruitful, with the addition of Tom Sellars on the violin cementing the sound that has become distinctively, Idle Empire. The pursuit of a funky underlay materialised in the form of long-term friends Jones and White, transforming the band from angelic three piece to cheeky stage animals. The recent addition of Ash on drums and John on trumpet has provided driving, danceable rhythms and melodic finery that has lifted the sound of the band to a new level.

As winners of the Leicester Original Band Showcase, 2016 saw Idle Empire as regulars on the local festival scene, playing Simon Says, Riverside and Western Park festivals. 2017 was another busy year, slots at Deerstock and Gloworm festivals followed by a headline slot on the Icon stage at Glastonbudget. The year finished on a high in December with the band being chosen to play on the Introducing stage at the Great British Folk Festival.