Nottingham is a city proud of its surging musical scene with talent both up-and-coming and established legends being drawn into its’ many iconic venues. With a huge array of shows on during the first semester, we’ve cut through the noise to give you some of the best gigs to catch in your first few months at NTU.
Fetty Wap: Rock City (Saturday 21st September)
Hip-Hop singer-songwriter Fetty Wap will be kicking off the semester in Rock City’s main hall with his arsenal of self-proclaimed ‘ignorant R&B’ tracks. Having been rescheduled from April this year, fans will now have the chance to chant along with Wap to some of his most prestigious bangers with Trap Queen, 679 and My Way among favourites.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/fetty-wap-tickets
The Howl and the Hum (Wednesday 25th September)
A fantastic example of rising stars, The Howl and the Hum strive in their sounds of understated yet intriguing instrumentalism overlaid with intimate and passionate vocals that have seen this alternative quartet feature at this year’s South by Southwest Music Festival. Catch them at the Bodega this September for a dark but poignant evening.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/the-howl-the-hum-tickets
Zebrahead: Rescue Rooms (Thursday 26th September)
Worlds will collide in the Rescue Rooms when rap and punk meet in unholy matrimony as Zebrahead hit the stage. The Californian rockers will bring their mesh of no-nonsense punk attitude with a dash of rap-rock vocal deliveries to the intimate surroundings of the Rescue Rooms. This may be a combination that some turn their noses up to but with singles like Falling Apart and When Both Sides Suck, We’re All Winners you’ve got to remember opposites attract.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/zebrahead-tickets
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Rock City (Monday 30th September)
Very few artists can provide the level of variety and pizzazz that has emerged from Australian seven-piece King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. With 13 full-length albums being released since 2012 that jump from sombre psychedelic tones of Work This Time to a headbanging mania on Robot Stop these guys are nothing short of unpredictable; just take their name of example.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/king-gizzard-and-the-lizard-wizard-tickets
Jess and the Bandits: Bodega (Tuesday 1st October)
With the twanging notes of country making its way into the mainstream, the accessible blend of pop and country from Jess and the Bandits might just be the band to scratch an itch we didn’t know we had. Since their inception, Jess and her Bandits have made numerous TV appearances and have received helping hands from the likes of BBC Radio 2. Now, they grace Nottingham’s Bodega and we dare you to not get anthemic hits like White Lies stuck in your head.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/jess-and-the-bandits-tickets
Ibibio Sound Machine: Rescue Rooms (Saturday 5th October)
You’re not going to forget this overnight. Jubilant and colourful explosions of the sounds of Nigeria infused with an unapologetic twist of electronica; ISM pull no punches. With a complete line-up of funk-driven bass, drums, saxophone, trumpets, trombones and an underlying layer of synth you’d be a fool to miss out on this Rescue Rooms appearance if you call yourself a fan of all things funk.
Get Tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/ibibio-sound-machine-tickets
The Amazons: Rock City (Monday 11th November)
You guys better snag these tickets quick. Rising rock stars The Amazons announced only a short string of gig date after the success of this years album Future Dust that delivers a healthy dosage of fist-pumping, throat-aching rock numbers that anyone and everyone can get down to. They’ll be sure to fill every inch of Rock City’s main hall with the infectious groove of Black Magic and the earworm chorus of Mother.
Get tickets here: https://www.alttickets.com/the-amazons-tickets
Little Mix: Motorpoint Arena (Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th November)
Guilty pleasures for many, the pop superstar quartet Little Mix are giving Nottingham a double-barrelled treat as they perform back-to-back nights at the Motorpoint Arena. With greatest hits like Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out to My Ex any fresher that happens to be their biggest fan, openly or secretly, will have a blast on this stop of the groups’ LM5 tour.
Get tickets here: https://www.motorpointarenanottingham.com/Online/default.asp
Liam Gallagher Plus Special Guests (Tuesday 26th November)
Does he need an introduction? Oasis legend and now successful solo artist Liam Gallagher will make an appearance in Notts on his highly anticipated tour that has already seen huge ticket demand after tremendous success and critical acclaim with his singles such as For What It’s Worth and Shockwave. The special guests are yet to be announced but I think we’re all hoping for Lewis Capaldi to make an entrance; sorry Noel!
Get tickets here: https://www.motorpointarenanottingham.com/Online/seatSelect.asp
Ozzy Osbourne: Motorpoint Arena (Friday 31st January 2020)
For any metal or hard rock fan this is a special one. After being forced to put the tour on hold due to medical issues earlier this year, the Black Sabbath frontman is back on track to deliver his No More Tours 2 show at the Motorpoint Arena. Avid fans of the prince of darkness will expect the glorious bangers of Crazy Train and Mr Crowley but will no doubt be as pleased to see classic metal titans Judas Priest supporting Ozzy on what will be a night to remember; if you can remember anything the next morning that is.
Get tickets here: https://www.motorpointarenanottingham.com/Online/seatSelect.asp
By Alex Mace