Yaaaay, it’s a bank holiday weekend and we think you deserve a right good selection of music to celebrate. This week Rough Trade are putting on another free night (aren’t they good to us?), I’m Not From London are serving up a right feast of Rock and Blues and we have a Hard Core Metal fest to welcome you into the month of May.
THURSDAY
Marking his second live show at Rough Trade, NICK ASLAM is back alongside THE SWIINES and SMITH & GROVES.
NICK ASLAM is from all over the shop but there’s a couple of reasons why we’re glad to have him currently in Notts. 1) His catchy melodies and skilful songwriting are infectious and if you’re not toe tapping at one of his gigs it must be because you have no toes. 2) His fusion of Folk, Indie and Country music really does just hit the spot. Young, exuberant and sure to be going somewhere. Catch Nick at RT for free.
If Carlsberg did bands… would it produce THE SWIINES? Apparently so according to the Nottingham Rock ‘N’ Rollers. Having supported that Bugg geezer at the Arena in 2014, THE SWIINES have built their own fan base – one fan famously got on stage with his hands up in worship at a Rescue Rooms gig last year. With that kind of following and a polished sound, their performance will be a right treat.
With harmonies to make your heart melt, Clifton singer/songwriters SMITH & GROVES offer a calming comparison to THE SWIINES and are simple and effective. Just the way we like it.
Rough Trade
Doors: 7pm
Free entry
SATURDAY
Welcoming back to The Running Horse, I’m Not From London presents a night of Rock, Blues and Psycho feels.
Taking their name from a John Lee Hooker song, CATBONE’s Blues vibe is very much morphed between their Electric, Rock ‘N’ Roll style. Having ‘more balls than lives’ apparently this three-piece formed when two gents, Jon and Richard, met their drummer Sam at a gig (see music makes the magic happen). Expect surfer Blues Rock vibes.
Grab yourself a whisky and get ready for the Blues king and his band of merry men (or not so merry, it is the Blues after all). DUSTY BIBLE a.k.a Mark Lowman provides vocals as well as playing the guitar and harp (wait, did I just say harp?). With those Mississipi vibes, we’re sure DUSTY BIBLE and the Canadians (that’s his band, not some randoms up on stage) will blow any cobwebs away.
If raucous Alternative Garage Rock is your thing, then FLEETS is your thing (trust us on this one). Since forming in 2014, FLEETS have been non-stop gigging and always give tons of attitude. Indie vibes and floppy fringes, we love the energy so give your ears a listen.
Starting off the night, SUNDAZE (is that a way of saying Sundays or dazed by the sun, i’m just not sure) bring their unique Mac Demarco-esque sunshine psycho rock to the stage. Meg Morris and Sam Shaw’s voice work together harmoniously and with a new EP and demos coming soon, we’re watching this space.
The Running Horse
Doors: 7.30pm
Free entry
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
For all you metal’eds out there, there’s no better place to be this bank holiday than Trojan Fest. An assault to your eardrums, this is not for the faint hearted.
SATURDAY
Described as having ‘riffs that make you want to punch walls’, TAKEN BY THE TIDE first announced their Metal/Progressive sound with their debut release ‘There’s No Such Thing As An Atheist In A Foxhole’ (Erm guys, what d’ya mean?). Since then their EP ‘Hands of Spite’ has received high praise and they’ve been on three UK tours. Releasing new material this year, TBTT will sure to thrash Trojan Fest but make sure you’re not standing next to any walls, okay?
Four-piece super group DIRIS formed their members from three separate bands (you can see why they call themselves a super-group now eh). Putting their own stamp on extreme New Metal, don’t expect just mosh pits; they guys say ‘It’s all about the groove, people have gotta want to dance at one of our shows not just hit the pit!’
Playing Progressive, Technical music for progressive technical people, BEYOND GRACE lead the way when it comes to Omni-Dimensional Death Metal (whatever Omni Dimensional Death Metal may be). All we know is their combination of huge megaton riffs, crashing drum beats and monstrous vocals will have you head banging from start to finish.
With a distinct tri-vocal sound and an EP described as the lovely wobbly parts of a lady, ENORMITY FALLS have established quite a name for themselves. Having performing at Rock City twice, EF are no stranger to the stage and we can guarantee you they will deliver 100% melodic, Heavy Metal goodness.
Also playing on Saturday: Reign Of Fury, Shrapnel, From Her Ashes, Internal Conflict, Buried and Forgotten.
SUNDAY
Before they embark on their UK tour with Brutal Rocks this May, make sure you catch THE FIVE HUNDRED sweating it out. This quintet certainly knows how to shake the stage and we hear with a recent switch to 8 string guitars they’re ready to take over the world – or at least they said it’s given them a new found power. Maybe not world domination, just yet?
FAMOUS FOR NOTHING apart from being total l-e-g-e-n-d-s, this Nottingham six-piece released their EP ‘Famous40’ last month with a launch at Rock City Basement. Metalcore brought from the sweaty pits of this beautiful county. Mmmmmmmm.
AN EMPIRE WILL FALL provide Melodic Deathcore ‘for fans of jiggy brutal shit to bopp your booty to’ (Eh? Jiggy brutal shit, is that even possible?). We don’t deny it and if AEWF can shake your tail feather then good on ‘em! Catch them before you get yourself some hearty Trojan Fest fodder.
Metalcore quintet WOLVES DON’T SLEEP recently delighted us with a Future Session and I gotta say, with that many Metal heads in one studio, things got a bit steamy. Having only formed 9 months ago, WDS’ loud attitude are making themselves heard and no doubt Trojan Fest will sit up and listen.
Harcore/Punk five-piece HVMAN TEETH are first on the bill and I can’t think of a better way to wet your whistle for the day ahead. A powerviolence combination, if you like surreal, spooky videos check out their new track ‘No Control’ on YouTube. Whilst guaranteeing their music will always be free, you won’t want to miss their energy live.
Also playing on Sunday: Martyr Defiled, Shields UK, Savour the Silence.
The Boat and Horses
Doors: 2.30pm
£10 Weekend tickets, £7 day tickets
All ages, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Yours in Love of New Music,
Anna Butler x
