In this week’s show we announce who’s made this year’s FUTURE SOUND OF NOTTINGHAM final. Always an emotive show as we share who has made it and who has just missed out, as well as feature interviews with a couple of those who will be playing Rock City’s main
stage on June 17th.

WARNING: May contain some fruity language, if easily offended then grow some balls.

THE FOUR COMMANDMENTS

FSN STAND OUT TRACK: INDIANA – Blind As I Am
2 TONE FT RAZOR – Peaceful Journey
SINNERS HIGHWAY – Sinners Highway
POCO LOCO – Becca
REWIND/ RELOAD: INDIANA – Blind As I Am
JOE DANKS - All That I Need
THE AFTERDARK MOVEMENT - Since I’ve Been Here
THE SPECIES – Broken Glass
IN THE NORTH WOOD – For What It Is
TOM WARDLE – Pink Lillies
CRASH JACKET – You Could Be Here

You can subscribe to the Podcast online, and you’ll get pictures!

Supported by DHP and Leftlion

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This upcoming bank holiday weekend is thriving with live music in Nottingham. This edition of our famous TOP 3 GIGS may hold the record for the most bands/artists ever featured…

GIG ONE

On 4th, 5th and 6th of May a host of local talent and national names will be joining forces for Nottingham Punk Festival. The festival takes place at The Doghouse on Carlton Road and The Old Angel Inn on Stoney Street and is aiming to raise money for charities Punk 4 The Homeless and the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. If its local talent you’re after, which you probably are, prioritise Sunday!

The Doghouse will host the punktastic event on the Friday and Saturday with The Old Angel Inn playing host on the Sunday.

On Friday, from 7pm til midnight, the bands playing include…
DRONGOS FOR EUROPE
DIRTBOX DISCO
SEPTIC PSYCHOS
MANGLED
CONTEMPT
MEAT HOOK
FEEB


Then on Saturday, from 3pm til midnight, look forward to…
WONK UNIT
2 SICK MONKEYS
NERKS
ROTUNDA
OIZ TO MEN
SECTION 13
THE ECCENTRICS
EAGLE SPITS
LOUISE DISTRAS
EAST TOWN PIRATES
THE REVERENDS


Finally on Sunday, from 2pm til midnight, we have…
VERBAL WARNING
CERTIFIED
GIRLFIXER
SICKPIG
FUCKWITS
APOCALYPSE BABYS
ASBO PEEPSHOW
EPHEMORAL FOETUS
GO FAST OR GO HOME
CRYO GENICS
PAUL CARTER
KERPLUNK
FIRING BLANKS

DOORS: 7pm on Friday, 3pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.
TICKETS: £10 per day or £25 for the weekend.


GIG TWO

Never short of a funky beat or two, Sounddhism has decided to go all out and give you not one, but two nights of incredible live music from the freshest local talent around.

After starting out as a rookie bedroom acoustic duo back in November 2011, things have taken off in leaps and bounds for these lads CHESHIRE AND THE CAT. The inspired beats and clever lyrics that make up their ‘2tone alternative acoustic’ sound are refreshing and fun, much like their live performances which are infused with witty charm. Check out their Nusic Future Session HERE.

Also on the 5th for a double whammy of acoustic talent, LOUIS SCOTT is taking to the stage. Layering a raw soulful sound with spellbinding lyrics and bearing an undeniably charismatic stage presence, this budding soulful solo artist will enchant you from start to finish.

PRICE: £6 advance/£7 cheap list/£8 OTD/£32 combined Sounddism & Detonate Indoor fest tickets
DOORS: 9pm

Next up as part of the Detonate Indoor Fest we have Sounddhism taking over the Rescue Room’s Red Room with a selection of local talent including the First Lady of soul HARLEIGHBLU. Upping the groove stakes and performing with her full live band, HARLEIGHBLU’s sultry vocals and dirty percussive rhythms will blow you away. With an EP release and debut album on the horizon, expect to see a lot more from this sensational songstress.

Adding to the upbeat vibes are funk/soul powerhouse WE ARE AVENGERS. Combining tight vocals with slick electronic wizardry, these guys are ready to show off some new material from their forthcoming album and are ready to raise the Red Room roof. Quality stuff!

PRICE: standard tickets £30/remaining tickets £35
DOORS: 9pm

GIG THREE

If you’re looking for something a bit special this bank holiday weekend, then get yourself down to The Maze on May 5th. Celebrating their 15th birthday, The Maze have teamed up with the maniacs from I’m Not from London and our big brother Leftlion to bring you a jam-packed night of some of Nottingham’s finest.

Having been described as ‘The Specials on crack’, 25 PAST THE SKANK provide big tunes and bigger beats. With an aim to incorporate all styles of dance floor destroying genres into their music, these boys are one of the most exciting and unique bands on the scene and will have you dancing in no time.


Bringing a much needed nautical flavour to the evening are SEA OF MIRTH. With glue on beards and sea shanties to boot, these land pirates have been given the somewhat distinctive description of THE POGUES getting MUMFORD AND SONS in a headlock, whilst FLOGGING MOLLY steals their lunch money and GRANDMASTER FLASH kicks them in the shins. Be prepared to sing, dance and laugh with this group, and quite possibly get involved in a crowd tug-o-war. No, seriously.

THE AUSTIN FRANCIS COLLECTION are next up on the bill. Following the release of their 2011 album, “The Album”, the trio are back with their honest, observational lyrics to make you smile. Armed with only a guitar and a beat-boxer called HOBBIT, The AFC (not Arsenal Football Club) play their own brand of acoustic hip-hop making them one of the most interesting bands around.

Last but by no means least are JUST JAMES. A melting pot of different genres fused together by heavy Drum n Bass undertones, the band provide dance music with a raw edge and emit an almost tangible energy when on stage. Undeniably catchy and unashamedly fun, JUST JAMES are a spectacle not to be missed. Watch our Future Session with them HERE.

So get yourself to this organic Nottingham music extravaganza, and remember; entry is only £4 if you’re in fancy dress!

PRICE: £5 normal entry/£4 fancy dress
DOORS: 8pm

Yours In Love of New Music,
Tom Hadfield, Cerys Owen and Maddie Hammond x

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Highlights from our March Nusic workshop discussing the top tips for making that perfect demo. Featuring Jared Wilson (Editor-in-Chief at LeftLion) and Guy Elderfield (Dog is Dead Producer).

Your weekly fix of live music has finally arrived. Soak it up notts music lover.

GIG ONE

Farmyard PresentsROB GREENEMILY AND THE MARTENS - ADAM BURNAGE AND THE ROOKERIES at The Jam Cafe on Friday 27th.

The ever fantastic ROB GREEN will be entertaining what is sure to be a packed out Jam Cafe on Friday evening with his playful soul tuneage. A natural entertainer and all round Mr Nice Guy, Rob’s upbeat RnB soaked in jazz will have you dancing on the tables. His lyrics tell a story of love and loss providing those darker undertones to the feel good music. Check out our Future Session with him HERE.

EMILY AND THE MARTENS are soulful, and folksey and drenched in bluesy vibes. Songs inspired by life and love, and tunes to stick in your head. Fantastic song writing and one of the tightest bands in Notts that always guarantees a cracking performance.

ADAM BURNAGE AND THE ROOKERIES will open the night in chilled out fashion. Belying his young age with his very individual, instantly recognisable and distinctive voice Adam is a songwriter of skill and clear ability. A great and charming performer as a solo act we’re really looking forward to seeing him perform with his Rookeries.

Without doubt this will be a brilliant night and its absolutely free so why not head down!

DOORS: 8pm
TICKETS: FREE

GIG TWO

bUTTON pUSHER presents FRESH EYES FOR THE DEAD GUY, TRIBAL FIGHTERS, SOME SKELETONS and GREAT DEEDS at The Chameleon on Saturday 28th.

Local maniacs FRESH EYES FOR THE DEAD GUY headline their first ever bUTTON pUSHER show in the possibly the greatest live music venue in the galaxy (bit extreme maybe). These punk thrashers never fail to create on stage chaos, scratch that, it isnt just onstage chaos they cause, its pandemonium amongst the punters too. Sweaty thrash punk not your cuppa? Well at the very least you’ll be guaranteed a nipple in the face. Check out our gig review of them smashing it back in February HERE.

Support comes from locals boys SOME SKELETONS. Crashing alt rock with velvet vocals and ever changing pace that should have the rickety old venue swaying. Give them a listen HERE. SOME SKELETONS are first on the bill followed by GREAT DEEDS and TRIBAL FIGHTERS with FRESH EYES FOR THE DEAD GUY headlining.

DOORS: 8pm
TICKETS: £4 or £3 with NUS


GIG THREE

If I’m Not From London’s previous gigs are anything to go by, at the Nottingham Contemporary on April 27th a fiery chasm of unprecedented musical mayhem awaits you; obviously the perfect accompaniment to show off some of Nott’s finest fine artists.


Those with a nervous disposition may want to barricade themselves in a small corner; HALLOUMINATI specialises in music that won’t just grab you by the balls, it’ll pick you up by the throat and throttle you to the core without a trace of mercy. Not afraid to think outside the box, HALLOUMINATI fuse together elements of traditional Greek and Balkan music with punk, reggae and jazz to create a mash-up medley of instruments and vocals that shouldn’t work together but really, really do.

Trippy, synthy riffs supported by basslines drenched in testosterone are the order of the day for techno rockers PRACTICAL LOVERS . Providing a grungy take on 1980’s electro-pop tinged with a hint of punk, PRACTICAL LOVERS add a contemporary edge to a much attempted genre of music and they’re style has been suitably dubbed ‘heartache and introversion for the bedroom generation.’

The Kings of disjointed math-rock KAPPA GAMMA also support the madness and mayhem. Pro’s at creating a buzz with their complex and powerful sound, these guys wowed at the DOG IS DEAD last year finishing in the coveted top spot. Listen to them on the Podcast HERE.

However, amidst the ordered chaos there lie glimmers of serenity in the timeless melodies of HHYNM. Finely crafting their music over time into a sound that is all of their own, HHYNM have been showered with praise throughout the local music scene and are tipped as one of the best bands to go and see live. And who’s to argue with the industry brainboxes, eh? Don’t miss out!

DOORS: 8pm
TICKETS: £4 in advance/£5 on the door

Yours In Love of New Music,
Tom Hadfield and Cerys Owen
x

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LONG DEAD SIGNAL kicked off the day with their MUSE and MARS VOLTA-esque rock. Boasting probably the most beautiful guitar I’ve ever seen, The Square gathered bodies despite the pouring rain. Beautiful music about terrible things with an epic operatic sound that engulfed The Square. Its no wonder they took the Future Sound of Nottingham crown in 2010.

Now for the final 6 semi-finalists. This next 3 piece even had the Lord Mayor opening up the mosh pits. HOT JAPANESE GIRL are frat party rock monsters. They pack the pace and punch of BILLY TALENT but with the comedy of TENACIOUS D. Always guaranteeing a lively show this lot would be right at home smashing it in the legendary Rock City. They’ve promised us that if they get to the final they will walk on stage to ANDREW WK’S Party Hard. That sounds fun. The first of the Semi-Finalists to make a campaign video which you can watch HERE.

Next on the bill are Nottingham’s biggest LoveSpreaders IN THE NORTH WOOD. With the image of MUMFORD AND SONS and a not dissimiliar musical style they are a refreshing addition to our scene. “For What It Is” is a fantastic folk tune and has been racking up the play counts on ipods around the city. IN THE NORTH WOOD epitomise what the Nottingham scene is all about, support for fellow bands/artists and keeping the scene friendly. The folk outfit create a big sound that had The Square bobbing along, ideal festival band perhaps…? They’ve also personally promised us they will kiss everyone that votes for them….is it possible to unvote?

TRAY ELECTRIC takes to the stage and the Gods seem to sense something great might be about to happen as the clouds part and the sun shines down. Flying the flag for Nottingham’s electo scene in the competition his track “Is This All” is impossible not to dance too. Tray not only produces the tunes himself, he provides the vocals, plays keyboard in ROYAL GALA and is in JIMMY THE SQUIRREL. Busy guy!

GOODNIGHT ASTRONAUT bound on to the stage with a certain enthusiasm that indicates they are up for this. Another band making the sort of music that Rock City is famous for they absolutely rocked The Square. Delicate vocals, mammoth riffs with an ever changing pace make these guys both dark and comforting to listen to. You can find their debut single, “Kids of Tomorrow” on iTunes, buy it, its worth it.

Winner of round 1 INDIANA takes to stage to play her FIRST EVER GIG! Its obvious she is nervous but after about ten seconds of her opening song The Square is hushed as everyone is giving the stage their 100% attention. This girl is special, heartbreakingly sad songs and a voice that causes goosebumps, INDIANA had the people of Nottingham mesmorized. Her aching vulnerability is so endearing and songs like “Blind As I Am” send shivers down the spine. Her allocated fifteen minutes seems to end far too quickly and the moment she leaves the stage, various promoters, journalists, musicians and other industry players rush to congratulate her. Undoubtedly the biggest crowd reaction from any of the semi-finalists. Hopefully that doesn’t sound biased, we’re just reporting the truth. She deserves to make the final 6 surely?

If you haven’t cast your vote to see which bands/artists should make the final 6 at Rock City in June you can do that on our Facebook page HERE.

Yours In Love of New Music,
Tom Hadfield (@hadfieldreckons)
x

Here’s a wee team photo, takes a lot of volunteers to put this event on, big love to the Julie Cotton Foundation.

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