It was a hard task full of challenging decisions when choosing this week\u2019s Top Three; so much is going on around here this Summer, you\u2019d have to own a device that allows you to seamlessly dance through space and time to catch it all. However, fear not, my fellow music evangelists! We’ve whittled it down to three that you should defo pop down to. So \u2018ave an album launch and two mini festivals. <\/p>\n
GIG ONE <\/strong><\/p>\n LORNA<\/a><\/strong> at The Bodega<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n LORNA<\/a><\/strong> are a 6 piece Indie\/Dreampop band who formed in the late 1990s, signed by US label Words On Music<\/strong>. They\u2019ve played all over the UK, Europe, and the US, but they\u2019ve nestled right here in lovely Notts. These guys have been compared to the likes of Teenage Fanclub<\/strong>, Yo La Tengo<\/strong>, and The Velvet Underground<\/strong>, and have released four full-length albums, EPs and singles. Oh, and they\u2019ve performed with The Psychedelic Furs<\/strong>, Neil Halstead<\/strong> (of Slowdive<\/strong>), Evan Dando<\/strong>, Mark Gardner<\/strong> (Ride<\/strong>), plus looaads more. Expect dreampop guitars, soft drums, clarinet, flute and string loops, and harmonised vocals<\/p>\n THE AMBER HERD<\/a><\/strong> are a Post-Rock\/Folk\/Psychedelic five piece formed in 2007. These guys are influenced by many, many things, scaling from thrash metal to traditional folk. Melancholic Indie melodies mixed with minimalistic Folk elements and some beastly guitar work makes sure that this band is akin to nothing you\u2019ve heard before.<\/p>\n JAKE BURNS<\/a><\/strong> will also be playing this one. He\u2019s got a great voice and some amazing traditional Folk stylings, influenced by the likes of F<\/a>olk masters such as Bob Dylan<\/strong> and Simon & Garfunkel<\/strong>. We\u2019re certain if you go and give some of his demo\u2019s on Soundcloud a listen, you\u2019ll agree that he wouldn\u2019t sound out of place on a compilation alongside some of his idols. Expect beautiful, delicate music that\u2019ll charm your ears. <\/p>\n The Bodega<\/strong> GIG TWO<\/strong><\/p>\n Notts Pop Punk Festival<\/a><\/strong> is going off at The Maze<\/a><\/strong> this Saturday, which means some of Nottingham\u2019s best and brightest Pop Punk musicians will be playing ALL DAY LONG. <\/p>\n MAIN STAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n First up on the main stage will be five piece metalcore band PACK MENTALITY<\/strong>. They combine melodic riffs with heavy breakdowns and choruses that\u2019ll summon a sing along. Next up will be ON THE OPEN ROAD<\/a><\/strong>, a heavy Pop Punk band influenced by the likes of A Day To Remember<\/strong> and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!<\/strong> Following these guys will be Mansfield five-piece FALLING UPSTAIRS<\/a><\/strong>. That\u2019s actually their name; they\u2019re not just turning up to fall up the stairs for your entertainment. Instead, they\u2019re going to be playing some old school Pop Punk catchiness with hints of Ska. It\u2019ll be so much more fun, you\u2019ll see. <\/p>\n ACOUSTIC STAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n On the Acoustic stage the self-confessed \u2018slightly crazy\u2019 Songstress LAUREN APRIL<\/a><\/strong> will be opening with her passionate hybrid of Pop, Country and Rock. Following her will be four-piece SAY THE WORD<\/a><\/strong>, who have clear influences from Jimmy Eat World<\/strong> to Foo Fighters<\/strong>. And finally there will be RESTROOMS<\/a><\/strong>, a four-piece Pop Punk\/ Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll band, who have recently released their debut EP titled \u2018Eternal Bummer<\/em>\u2019, but believe me, bum you out is the last thing these talented gents will do. <\/p>\n Also playing: The Maze<\/strong> GIG THREE<\/strong><\/p>\n The Maze Presents… AcouSTOCKated Noise!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n All proceeds from this little festival will be donated to Cancer Research UK. Also, a rather exciting raffle will be taking place at the end of the night, along with CAKE (CAAAAKE!!), games, and OTHER FUN THINGS. HERE\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> the JustGiving page too, in case you wanted to donate but you\u2019re too fat to leave the sofa!<\/p>\n HEY QUADROPHONIC!<\/a><\/strong> Are first on the list, who are a Funk\/Dub\/Rock \u2018n Roll fusion band, combining soulful vocals, heavy funk bass lines, groovy drumming, jazz guitar and power chords. Expect a varied set; if you like progressive metal AND Electro Pop as much as you like Punk, this one\u2019s for you. Following HQ will be Alternative\/Folk\/Indie songsmith TIM SIMPSON<\/a><\/strong>, who will give us some powerful melodies that talk of many subjects, including the everyday grievances in society. FIGHTING EVIL IS COOL!<\/a><\/strong> Are up next – a six piece ska\/punk band recently described as : \u201cMadness-meets-Bananarama on Angel Dust\u201d. I can\u2019t name a single other band that can get you dancing with a song dedicated to a penis (\u2018pe\u00f1or\u2019), or about lobsters feeling pain when they\u2019re boiled alive (\u2018Lobsters\u2019). It\u2019s Ska-like, Trombone-lead music that you\u2019re gonna love. ALEXA HAWKSORTH<\/a><\/strong> will also be playing her gorgeously soft Folk \/ Acoustic \/ Pop influenced by the likes of Haim<\/strong> and Laura Marling<\/strong>. THE BREAKFAST CLUB<\/a><\/strong> will be around to turn you into the epitome of dance. They\u2019ve got some great hits that\u2019ll make you laugh your faces off, all while you\u2019re grooving out. Then, as a stark contrast, get ready to get REAL SAD, because RICHARD JENKINS<\/a><\/strong> will be performing his thought provoking acoustic songs. They\u2019re based on some of his life experiences, and are sung so bloody nicely you\u2019ll be reaching for a tissue. He\u2019ll be releasing his debut album \u2018Fading Soldier<\/em>\u2019 in September, and if that poetic title is anything to go by, it\u2019s going to be beautiful. <\/p>\n Then, CITY OF KITES<\/a><\/strong> will be up, who are Power-Punk-Pop-Grunge kinda\u2019 guys. They\u2019re loud, they\u2019re fast paced, and it\u2019s pretty damn awesome. Pop Rock\/Indie connoisseurs NO DISCO<\/a><\/strong> will also be playing, performing their heavy percussion, strong riffs and catchy hook laden songs. Next, CONFYDE<\/a><\/strong> with a \u2018Y\u2019 will be bringing some soaring vocals from singer-songwriter MARTIN JACKSON<\/strong> (best known for his role as frontman for Download Festival-billed Rock act Emperor Chung<\/strong>) They\u2019re a new three-piece Alt Rock band, looking to make their mark on the Nottingham music scene. Welcome, friends. Following is ALEXANDER & THE CHRISTOPHER HALE BAND<\/strong>, which SOUNDS like a band (because, well, it\u2019s in the name) but it\u2019s actually just Beeston songwriter ALEXANDER CHRISTOPHER HALE<\/strong> and his battered old guitar being CLEVER. Expect Folky, Punky, Hip Hop with melodic singing, wonderful guitar work and possibly tears, as he\u2019s termed the genre as \u2018Heartbreak\u2019. The penultimate band on the list is LITTLE BRIBES<\/a><\/strong>, an Emo\/Post Hardcore four-piece named after a really beautiful Death Cab for Cutie<\/strong> song. They\u2019re high energy, loud, but thought provoking and heartfelt at the same time. The final act on the line-up is ONE MILLION MOTORS<\/a><\/strong>, comprised of Frank Turner<\/strong>-esque songwriter John Hoare and his lovingly named guitar, Baxter. He and Baxter will be dishing out some Acoustic Punk vibes for ya. Enjoy every bite. <\/p>\n Also Playing: The Maze<\/strong> Yours in Love of New Music, P.S.<\/strong> SPLENDOUR<\/a><\/strong> IS THIS WEEKEND – there\u2019s going to be looooaads of lovely Notts acts playing the outdoor festival (including FSN<\/a><\/strong> winners SUSPECT ALIBI<\/a><\/strong>), and it\u2019s going to be so fun. Get your butts to Wollaton Park<\/strong> and \u2018ave a dance with us. <\/p>\n P.P.S.<\/strong> LIAM BAILEY<\/a><\/strong> IS ALSO PLAYING LIVE AT ROUGH TRADE<\/a><\/strong> ON THE 13TH. Sorry I\u2019ll shut up now. #SpreadTheLiamLove<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was a hard task full of challenging decisions when choosing this week\u2019s Top Three; so much is going on around here this Summer, you\u2019d have to own a device that allows you to seamlessly dance through space and time to catch it all. However, fear not, my fellow music evangelists! We’ve whittled it down…<\/p>\n
\n17th July
\nDoors: 17:30
\nAdmission: FREE!<\/p>\n
\nMilestones<\/strong> UK from Manchester, Highlives<\/strong> from Bristol, Weak Knees<\/strong> from Leeds, Our Saving Day<\/strong> from Sheffield, Arthur Walwin<\/strong> from London\/LA and Requin Blanc<\/strong> from Derby.<\/p>\n
\n18th July
\nDoors: 15:00
\nAdmission: \u00a36\/\u00a37 with online booking fee <\/p>\n
\nB-Sydes<\/strong> from Cambridgeshire and Joe McCorriston<\/strong> from Morecambe.<\/p>\n
\n19th July
\nDoors: 14:00
\nTickets: \u00a33 OTD<\/p>\n
\nEmily Rose Malone x <\/p>\n