The Hall was built by the Corporation of Leicester in the early 20th century, and was finished in 1913 costing £21,000. The architect was Shirley Harrison son of Stockdale Harrison, architect of Vaughan College. Its indoor auditorium seating capacity is approximately 2000, and the hall contains a restored pipe organ believed to be the only surviving example of a large concert organ constructed by the Leicester organ builders, Stephen Taylor & Son Ltd, in 1914. The pipe organ is a particularly fine example and comprises 6000 pipes, attracting many distinguished organists to play recitals. In the 2014 the pipe organ was estimated to be worth over five million GBP. The hall features in Richard Attenborough's film Grey Owl, in a reenactment of Attenborough and his brother David's boyhood attendance at a wildlife lecture.
Notable events
Most of the Hall's events take place in the indoor auditorium where the programme of events ranges from jazz, ballet, comedy and opera, to world and roots music, West End musicals and classical music, featuring the world-famous Philharmonia Orchestra, which was set up by EMI and has been resident at the hall since 1997. The hall is said by the orchestra to be one of the best spaces in which to play music in England. The Hall is also a common venue for the Leicester Philharmonic Choir, the Leicester Symphony Orchestra, the Bardi Symphony Orchestra and Bands which have performed several concerts there in the past. It is also one of the major venues in Leicester to hold the Hindu festival of Navratri, selling out of tickets every year. Events take place outdoors, including The Big Session Festival and the Summer Sundae music festival, took place every year until 2012. Graduation ceremonies for the University of Leicester take place in the hall. De Montfort University have since moved their graduation ceremonies to the Curve Buddy Holly and the Crickets played there on March 16th 1958. Bob Dylan played the Hall on 2 May 1965 during his first tour of England. Dylan was the only artist apart from The Beatles to sell out the De Montfort Hall in the 1960s. Even The Rolling Stones did not sell out this venue. Progressive rock group Genesis recorded the majority of their 1973 release Genesis Live at the Hall. Iron Maiden performed here in 1980, 1982. Neo-progressive rock group Marillion recorded part of their first live albumReal to Reel at De Montfort Hall, along with other live performances recorded or otherwise. In the 1990sLeicester City Council took De Montfort Hall off the gig circuit In 2011, a tribute for Sir Norman Wisdom was held at the venue, raising money for the Roy Castle Fund. The charitable event also raised funds for Grand Order of Water Rats, of which Wisdom was a member, and featured notable appearances from members Bruce Jones, Nicholas Parsons, Johnny Mans, Rick Wakeman and Jess Conrad. Westlifelead vocalistShane Filan played at the hall twice as a solo artist in 2014 and 2018. Keane will play at this hall on September 25, 2019.
