Abertillery woman to perform at O2 Indigo in 2024

Demi-Leigh Assinder, 20, recently won the Best Female Vocalist award at the National Entertainment Awards in Essex, just over a year after winning the same category at the inaugural Welsh Regional Entertainment Awards in February 2022.

Having been named Best Female Vocalist on the national stage, Ms Assinder Leigh has qualified to perform at next year’s ceremony at the O2 Indigo in London.

Demi-Leigh performing at the National Entertainment Awards, and with her trophy (Image: Claire Robins-Assinder)Ms Assinder has been singing since she was 10, first performing as part of the Abertillery Youth Drama and Music Society, where she was picked out by a vocal coach, with whom she has performed for many years while developing her voice.

Over the years, Ms Assinder has performed for charities, and even for Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 at the Wales Millennium Centre as part of the centenary celebrations for the Royal Welsh Army.  

As her confidence grew, so did her performing circuit. In 2019, Ms Assinder was introduced to the pub and club circuit, where she was signed by an agent.

Mum Claire Robins-Assinder, said: “Demi-Leigh has always loved performing and it comes from singing with her grandfather. A lot of songs on her setlist are ones they would do together.

“Sadly, he passed away before she made it on the circuit. He had seen something special in her from a young age and said that she would go far. I know he would be very proud of how far she has come.”

In early 2022, production manager Lee Knell created the inaugural Welsh Regional Entertainment Awards, where Ms Assinder wowed the crowd with her performance, winning the regional category and qualifying for the national competition.

In November this year, Ms Assinder joined the other regional award winners in Essex, on what was her father’s 50th birthday.

The moment of victory (top), Demi-Leigh's speech (left) and her powerhouse performance (right) (Image: Claire Robins-Assinder)After performing a powerful, tear-jerking rendition of The Rose/Calon Lân, Ms Assinder was named the Best Female Vocalist at the National Awards, securing her right to defend her title at the ceremony next year at the O2 Indigo.

Mum Claire said: “Since her performances at the awards, her social media following has rocketed to 1.6k followers, and she already has a very busy 2024 with various events booked.

“The whole family are so proud of her, and all her achievements.

“We want to thank everyone that has helped in the last few years get to this point: Kayleigh and Jonathan Price of Fferm Gelli, who have supported her singing career from the start, and Amanda and Shaun Barnsley of the Millers Arms who are like family to us all.”

Ms Assinder called the opportunity to perform at the O2 Indigo “my childhood dream come true”.

She said: “I want to thank all of my family, friends and supporters who have all been there for me throughout my singing journey.

“I want to personally thank Lee Knell, without whom I wouldn’t be here, for bringing such an amazing opportunity to Wales.”