IT’S CHRISTMAAASSS! And because we’re feeling extra generous we’re giving you four gigs over two weeks, it’s like the sales have come early. It also has absolutely nothing to do with us wanting a few days off over the holidays. Nothing whatsoever… We’ve got a charity show at The Maze and three New Year’s Eve gigs for ya.
GIG ONE – Wednesday 23rd
First up there’s a charity show over at The Maze, raising money for the Saving Lives Helipad Appeal for the QMC. The helipad would help the Major Trauma Center which not only serves Nottingham, but the whole of the East Midlands. Definitely a worthy cause.
Performing on the evening will be HOTBOX. The Indie Rock four-piece all headed off to different unis this year, but they’re back in Notts for Christmas and couldn’t resist playing for you lucky lot. The four-piece create Indie Rock with a hint of Pop from catchy choruses and impressive riffs.
I AM STARZ will be bringing her unique Atmospheric Indie to the evening with her delicate ethereal vocal. At 16 years old, Starz is definitely leading the way for the Finnish Trinidadian side of the Notts music scene.
Next up, taking influences from the likes of Kodaline and The 1975, MATT HUMPHRIES will be performing. Using his acoustic guitar, Matt creates Acoustic Rock using his soft, refined vocal and emotive song writing.
Brothers SAM & JOE from Arnold will be performing. They released their debut EP – ‘Bluezy Dream’ – in October which showcased their unique chemistry. They create their sound using an acoustic guitar and their two vocals.
IZZY CARLIN is also performing. She was the winner of the GDST Young Vocalist of the Year Award in 2014 and is a Mezzo Soprano in The National Youth Choir. Impressive stuff. AND she’s a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, so don’t mess with her.
The Maze
Wednesday 23rd December
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: £5
GIG TWO – NYE
THE INVISIBLE ORCHESTRA will be helping you to see in the end of 2015 at the Arts Theatre, all 32 of them to be precise. The orchestra was created back in 2012 and includes some of the best session musicians from across Nottinghamshire. They even have a Grammy award winning organist, don’t ya know. The orchestra combine all kinds of genres – Soul, Funk, Reggae, Latin and Arabic Punk to name a few – using a core rhythm section and brass section plus a string quartet and piano. They’ll be joined on stage with vocal performances from HARLEIGHBLU, SCORZAYZEE, PERCYDREAD and NATALIE DUNCAN just to name a few. They will be releasing their debut album in spring 2016 and in case you hadn’t already realised, they’re not actually invisible.
You will also be able to catch Jack Peachey, who goes by the name of GALLERY 47, joined by a few members of the orchestra. Known for his finger style guitar works and soft vocal, Jack has performed at T in the Park and joined Paul Weller on his European Tour. His debut album ‘Fate is the Law’ was released in 2011 with his sophomore album ‘All Will Be Well’ coming three years later in 2014.
Nottingham Arts Theatre
Thursday 31st December
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: £20
GIG THREE – NYE
I’m Not From London and Rough Trade are coming together to bring you a massive New Year’s Eve.
WHISKY STAIN will be kicking off the start of your whisky fuelled evening. The Rock two-piece formed back in 2011 and create stomp provoking anthems with catchy choruses and bluesy guitar workings. They released their latest single ‘The Lord’s Revolver’ back in August and are set to release new music in the new year.
RIFF BASTARD create Metal Stoner Hard Rock which is unsurprisingly drenched in riffs. The five-piece have been around for a few years now and we quote will be “bastardizing the living shit out of Rough Trade for the first time.” Apparently they literally shit out music.
EYRE LLEW are back for what may be the show that finally gets them into double figures. The Ambient Rock trio have had an amazing year which has seen them develop an incredible live performance and release two singles, with the third – ‘Leo’ – available on Monday.
Finally, (if you manage to make it to midnight that is) WIDOWS will be welcoming 2016 with their Stoner Hard Rock. They released their second album ‘Death Valley Duchess’ in 2012 after forming in 2008 and building up an immense live presence. They’ve been playing gigs all over this place this year including MammothFest in Brighton but are back home in Nottingham to see out 2015.
Rough Trade
Thursday 31st December
Doors: 8.30pm
Tickets: £10, £12 OTD
GIG FOUR – NYE
Brouhaha is making a special comeback to The Maze to celebrate the end of 2015. The ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ theme means a Wizard of Oz fancy dress, whack out your best Dorothy costumes people. There will also be a fire show as well as Burlesque and Cabaret performers. I don’t know about you but scarecrows and fire do not sound like a good combination to me.
Performing on the evening will be UNKNOWN ERA. The nine piece combine a mix of genres from Reggae, Hip Hop, Ska and Blues to create their unique sound. They bring a hugely energetic performance, perfect for seeing in the new year.
JUST JAMES are back and will be bringing their Sci-Fi Rock & Roll with them. Bringing together elements of Hip Hop, House and Drum and Bass with vocals from MOTORMOUF, the band are known for their HUGE live performances.
THE EDI JOHNSTON BIT consisting of (believe it or not) Edi Johnston, who you may recognise from THE AUSTIN FRANCIS CONNECTION. We hear Edi makes songs on his Ukelele about being ginger (he was nominated for a MOGO award. That’s Music of Ginger Origin FYI) and making life decisions using Rock Paper Scissors.
FUSIONISTIC are an eight-piece band combining Reggae, Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Jazz, oh and R&B. They perform a mixture of their own material and a few covers too but give them a FUSIONISTIC twist leaving them sounding unrecognisable.
REVENGE OF THE CALCULON are back with their “Ear Candy for the Noise Hungry.” The wrestling mask wearing duo will be celebrating the New Year with “a juicy slice of dirty bass grooves topped with a full fat layer of B-movie synth attacks.” If you can imagine what Electronic, comic book wrestling sounds like, then you’ve got REVENGE OF CALCULON.
The Maze
Thursday 31st December
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: £10
Yours In Love of New Music,
Katie Beard x
