It’s the last week of November but the cold weather ain’t stopping Notts from putting on awesome gigs left, right and centre. There’s an 80s themed album launch over at Spanky Van Dykes, tons of rap battles over at The Bodega and a headline show that could very easily be making history at some place called Rock City? Yeah I’d never heard of it either.
GIG ONE
PRACTICAL LOVERS will be launching their debut album ‘Agony’ on Friday over at Spanky Van Dykes. The 80s influenced Electro Pop duo are putting on a whole night dedicated to the decade to celebrate the launch of their new album. They take inspiration from all things 80s (did you get that?) including Joy Division and The Smiths, taking particular influence from Morrissey’s stage presence. Not only will everyone who attends the evening be given a free download code for the new album ‘Agony’ you’ll be able to buy it on limited edition cassette tape. There’s also a chance to win this fancy new thing called a Walkman?? I’m not too sure what that is, but apparently they’re the new big thing.
Support comes from BALTIK WEATHER who made their debut in September at Outstanding Festival. The group, fronted by EMKAH, are a live dance front who’ll be bringing some Drum and Bass to the night.
REVENGE OF CALCULON make “Ear Candy for the Noise Hungry.” I’m not too sure what that means but I’m taking it as synth heavy sounds that should be make the soundtrack to a cartoon comic. They recently played the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in Reykjavik which might sound random but so are they (in a good way.) Aside from all the total madness, the trio make some really cool electronic music. And oh yeah… they wear wrestler masks.
You can also catch NO DISCO who will be launching their EP ‘Silhouettes’ on Friday. Two releases in one night isn’t bad ay? The Indie Pop Rock trio take catchy choruses and jump-along-y refined riffs (that’s a thing now, I said so) that are reminiscent of The Wombats.
Spanky Van Dykes
Friday 27th November
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: Free before 10pm, £2 afterwards
GIG TWO
Clash Money are presenting Bardega over at The Bodega and there’s a ton of Nottingham acts scattered across the night. As well as Notts acts battling it out against other artists from across the country there’ll be solo performances and DJ sets. There will be freestyle battles from BRODES V MIXSY and ZAIM V TY. You can also catch STAN & J LITTLES as well as DIDDZ & KAZOR battling it out against acts from across the country. One of Nottingham’s finest Grime MCs MEZ will be performing and producer duo CONGI will be showing some of their fresh new beats. The main battle of the night comes from WARIKO who has over 80k views on a freestyle video he did for Tim Westwood on 1Xtra a lil while back. Hell be battling it out against Dialect from Leeds.
You can check out the full lineup HERE.
The Bodega
Saturday 28th November
Doors: 6pm
Tickets: £12
GIG THREE
FEROCIOUS DOG are only headlining Rock City on Saturday! The Warsop five-piece could very possibly be making history becoming the first ever unsigned Nottingham act to sell out Rock City (kind of a big deal, dontcha know). FEROCIOUS DOG put their own take on traditional Celtic Folk by taking the storytelling lyrics and adding a heavier Rock side. After playing shows across the country, the band have developed an immense energetic live presence and refined sound. This is the final night of their 21 date ‘From Without’ headline tour. As you pop down to make history, make sure you bring a can or three of food – FD are using this gig as an opp to collect food for the homeless. Massive respect FD!
There will also be an acoustic session in the Basement from 2.30pm with a load of Nottingham acts including SAM JONES from Mansfield. Sam performed at Splendour back in 2013 after they opened the entire festival early to make sure he’d have a spot on the line up. Combining Folk, Rock and Punk, BRAD DEAR will be performing. And finally ELLE KNIGHT will be stunning with an acoustic set.
Also performing will be Paige Seabridge from Derbyshire, The Eskies from Dublin, Gaz Brookfield from Swindon and Mad Dog Mcrea from Plymouth.
Rock City
Saturday 28th November
Doors: 2:30pm
Tickets: £15
Yours in Love of New Music,
Katie Beard x
