Howdy folks, Looking Ahead is back after a short hiatus and back in the hands of our ed – at least for now! – we’ve made a few changes and decided that rather than offering up a pick of the day we’re just gonna pick out some of the best Notts gigs of the week. We’re also picking out our pick of the non-Nottingham gigs that are taking place in the town in our Visiting choice at the end of the column.
Hopefully you’ll like the new format and please share this and spread the word, plus if you know of any great upcoming gigs don’t hesitate to let us know and we’ll try and include it in future lists.
So without further ado here are our pick of the upcoming weeks gigs:
Music Mondays – The Face That Boils Itself & Ryan Thomas – Cast Bar – Monday 30 June
The Cast Bar at Nottingham Playhouse has built up a reputation for putting on a great night of relaxing music on a Monday accompanied with great offers at the bar – including half price pizza – and this week is no different with two great acts helping you blow away the Monday blues.
THE FACE THAT BOILS ITSELF – brilliant name – are a Nottingham three-piece who blend together double bass, guitar, clarinet, vocals and singing saw to create what they, in their own words, call “woodland folk from the ugly side of the hill”.
Ryan Thomas
Also performing is Nottingham favourite RYAN THOMAS, the hard-working singer-songwriter’s star continues to shine following the success of debut EP ‘Worries & Troubles’, which went to number 1 on the iTunes Blues chart. With appearances at the likes of The Waterfront Festival and Splendour heading up in the summer this will be chance to catch Ryan perform in a far more relaxed, sedate environment.
Mid Riff – Pepper Rocks – Wednesday 2 July
I’m Not From London’s midweek party night returns with another excellent line up this Wednesday. As always it’s free entry and happy hour drinks, what more could you want? Well how about some great Nottingham music.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB are one of the best newish bands on the Nottingham scene and with a ever growing fanbase thanks to their cutting songs that are as meaningful as they are fun.
The Breakfast Club
You can expect a great set of acoustic ska, reggae and folk from 94 Gunships frontman LIAM O’KANE who is performing solo tonight plus sets from duo BABEL FISH and singer song-writer BRETT SINCLAIR.
All in all this promises to be the perfect way to break up the labours of the working week.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1436834569919925/?fref=ts
The Most Ugly Child ‘A Wicked Wind Blows’ EP Launch – Vintage Warehouse – Friday 4 July
As you probably know this Friday is American Independence Day and so what better time for Nottingham’s Americana gang THE MOST UGLY CHILD to launch their brand new EP ‘A Wicked Wind Blows’.What’s more the wonderful Vintage Warehouse will be given an Americana style barn makeover for the event.
After making a real name for themselves in 2013 with several festival appearances The Most Ugly Child are continuing to make their mark this year and this brand new EP is sure to only further the attention this excellent band have been getting.
The EP itself hits general release the Monday after the gig but you’ll be able to grab a special limited edition copy at the gig itself, yet more reason to go along.
Keep your eyes peeled for our review of the EP in the next few days.
Check the band out performing live on the NottinghamLIVE Radio Show last year:
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/QGw4Iiqn3jY”]
Support on the night will come from western swing band THE RIP ROARING SUCCESS, the hard-working RYAN THOMAS and THE HOG RENDERERS.
Doors open at 7.30pm and chilli will be available to purchase if you’re a bit peckish, what’s more it’s donations only entry and they’re will be a secret afterparty for those who want to keep on going.
https://www.facebook.com/events/573651482751386/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
Dick Venom & The Terrortones ‘The MonsterPussy Sessions’ EP Launch – The Running Horse – Friday 4 July
As if the launch of one awesome new EP wasn’t enough the one and only DICK VENOM & THE TERRORTONES launch their brand new 5 track, beautifully and sensitively titled ‘The MonsterPussy Sessions’ – and it’s a stormer (review coming soon).
Those familiar with the work of Mr Venom and his band will know exactly what to expect at The Running Horse on Friday, those not familiar should get on down there for an experience they WON’T forget.
Dick Venom & The Terrortones
With support from London based modern-psychobilly band THE MOONSHINE STALKERS and relatively new Nottingham act PRIME this promises to be a heck of a party – a deviant, messy, eye-watering party granted but a party none the less – and it’s only three measly pounds to join the fun.
Oh and it’s Dick’s birthday so by him something nice – actually don’t buy him something horrific.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1490101787875072/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
As always, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to top gigs taking place in Nottingham this week and as well as a host of brilliant local acts performing there are also some great acts stopping off in Nottingham, our pick of this weeks selection being a cracking looking gig curtesy of the good folks at Farmyard.
Farmyard & NAE present Sura Susso – New Art Exchange – Friday 4 July
You may well have never heard of Ghambian performer Sura Susso but thanks to Farmyard Records you can change that on Friday when the kora player and percussionist performs some of his material, including new offerings and older classics – at the New Art Exchange. Sura was born into a Griot family and is a hugely respected lyricist as well source of spirital advice and guidence.
Tickets for this event are £9 (£7 concessions) and all ages are welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/events/847474471948022/?fref=ts
As you can see there is plenty to enjoy throughout the week, let us know which gigs you head along to, and don’t forget if you know of a gig you think should be featured in a future Looking Ahead get in touch.
Darren Patterson
Pictures: Ryan Thomas by White Rabbit Photography, The Breakfast Club by Cassia Helme, Dick Venom & The Terrortones by Robert Balmer Photography
