Little Boots, the stage name of Victoria Hesketh, made her television debut on Later… with Jools Holland on 7 November 2008. Her invitation to perform on the show came after she gained attention by sharing her music on MySpace, marking the start of her rise to prominence. Born in Blackpool and raised in Thornton, Hesketh is a singer-songwriter and DJ with a dynamic career spanning solo projects and earlier work as a member of the band Dead Disco. As a solo artist, she has released four albums to date: Hands (2009), Nocturnes (2013), Working Girl (2015), and Tomorrow’s Yesterdays (2022), alongside numerous EPs and remixes. Her debut album, Hands, reached number five on the UK Albums Chart, with hit singles New in Town and Remedy both breaking into the UK Top 20. She has performed internationally, both as a DJ and with a full band, showcasing her versatility as an artist. In 2015 she performed at the switch-on event for Blackpool Illuminations.
Hesketh’s musical journey began in childhood. She started playing the piano at the age of five and soon began formal lessons with Ruth Birchall. Excelling in music, she earned a scholarship and expanded her repertoire, learning the flute, singing in the school choir, and studying the harp in Manchester. Trained in classical singing by Janet Wunderley, she was writing her own songs by the age of 13. Her education included attending Rossall School in Fleetwood, followed by Blackpool Sixth Form College. At 16, Hesketh participated in ITV’s Pop Idol, advancing to the third round before being eliminated by producers before the judging panel stage. Undeterred, she continued honing her craft, singing with the Lancashire Youth Jazz Orchestra and performing with a jazz trio.
Hesketh later pursued cultural studies at the University of Leeds, graduating with first-class honours. While studying, she supported herself by performing in hotels across the northwest. It was during her time at university that she co-founded the all-female band Dead Disco with two fellow students, eventually becoming the lead singer. Over the years, Hesketh’s career has blended classical training, pop ambition, and electronic innovation, establishing her as an influential figure in contemporary music under the moniker Little Boots.
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