Our Big Gig – The Arboretum – 14 July 2013

The sun was shining, the crowds packed the park and the music was sensational. Yes, it’s safe to say that after all the work Sunday’s OUR BIG GIG at The Arboretum was AMAZING.

The event, a collaboration between Trent Sound, I’m Not From London and ourselves, saw a number of Nottingham’s most exciting talents take to the Arboretum bandstand for an afternoon of wonderful entertainment.

The crowds were already building as opening act QUIRKUS MINOR got things gowing just after one o’clock. A barbershop quartet these guys went down a storm with the early afternoon crowd as they delivered their own take on some musical classics. The bandstand truly felt the ideal location for there brilliant barbershop sound.

Next up was something special for the kids in BONGO BONGO the brilliant children’s entertainment group. Sophie and Becca who run the group are two of the most enthusiastic, energetic and just downright fun people you are ever likely to meet and they had the children – and even some of us adults – up and dancing throughout a fantastic set that included a dancing monkey, huge parachute and balloon swords all to the sounds of a host of great Nottingham acts performing nursery rhymes, including Rob Green’s version of Five Little Monkeys.

The sun was still shining and the atmosphere buzzing as the day continued with people spread out across the green grass of the Arboretum and next up on stage – following an introduction from Nottingham’s premier radio presenting duo! – was the excellent JOSH KEMP.

Josh was, as always, in fine form engaging the audience with his charisma and brilliantly catchy tunes that were perfect for a summers afternoon.

Following on from Josh was the wonderful duo ONEGIRLONEBOY who. remarkably, were both appearing on stage during their lunch breaks due to being unable to get time off work – that’s how much these guys wanna play for you people so get out and make the most of them.

Having just released their debut EP 1G1B were, as always, on top form deliver a selection of great tracks before having to zip off back to work, hopefully next time they’ll be able to stick around!

We were treated to a bit of excellent beatboxing action next as ALEX “MOTORMOUF” YOUNG took to the stage to wow the audience, and even delivering a quick “beatbox tutorial” to a couple of the young kids among the crowd. Alex also treated us to an excellent rhyme he’d written in honour of Rosa Park, the incredible woman who’s refusal to give up her seat on the bus to a white person sparked the civil rights riots in the US.

Acoustic-folk singer AARON SMITH followed next, accompanied by his band, despite the soaring heat the crowds still packed the area and the atmosphere was still buzzing as Aaron treated us to a delightful mid afternoon set which seemed to go down a storm.

SAM KIRK is one of the most talented singers in Nottingham, and taking a break from his duties as front man for the excellent INJURED BIRDS (who he’ll be leading onto the Courtyard stage at Splendour this Saturday) we were treated to a brilliant solo set featuring both acoustic guitar and banjo at points – Sam, clad entirely in black, also managed to look effortlessly cool despite the searing heat.

Performance poet MIGGY ANGEL took to the stage next to deliver his excellently created words from his anthology Grime Kerbstone Psalms. Having not heard Miggy before I was really impressed with the depth to his work and it seemed he managed to captivate the sun loving crowd during his short stint on stage.

Everybody was having a fantastic time and with two acts left before the 6pm curfew it was great to see so many people still around when RYAN THOMAS took to the stage to perform his brand of modern folky blues, keeping the crowd entertained through a great set.

Amazing, despite the blazing heat that was pouring across the Arboretum the atmosphere remained fantastic throughout there was no sign of people waning and the crowds stuck around to the end, which was lucky for them as wrapping things up on the day was the wonderful GEORGIE ROSE.

Just days after coming into the Trent Sound studio for a session on the NottinghamLIVE Radio Show, Georgie took to the stage to close the curtain on the first ever Our Big Gig at the Arboretum and did so in her usual brilliant fashion with the perfect set on which to end. Everyone there will have seen exactly why there is such a buzz around this amazing young singer.

So finally it all came to a close – though the group enjoying the Silent Disco were still going strong even as the stage was being packed away – and the crowds began to depart – many heading to the Fleece for the Aftershow party – which was being kicked off by non other than a certain Georgie Rose.

All in all Our Big Gig was a truly fantastic event, one of the best atmosphere’s I have seen at a show and the crowd were sensational. A massive well done to all involved from the volunteers, presenters, I’m Not From London team, the performers, a special mention Jason Loftus at Trent Sound for putting it all together, and of course to everybody who came down on the day.

Let’s do it all again next year.

Darren Patterson

CHECK OUT MORE PICTURES FROM THIS EVENT IN OUR GALLERY HERE

All photographs courtesy of White Rabbit Photography

What They Said: 

A few of those involved in the day give us their thoughts:

“An experience to play in the heart of Nottingham with such a brilliant team and crowd of people! Highlights the brilliance of Nottinghams scene!” – Georgie Rose

“Our big gig’ should have called MASSIVE! Really enjoyed playing to the public on the bandstand stage, I’m Not From London and Trent Sound’s treated us artists like royalty and was very humbled. The food provided by Alleycafe was exquisite plus the sun tanned me up good!” – Alex “Motormouf” Young

“Incredible company and incredible weather! Needs to happen again!” – Josh Kemp

“The day went off better than I expected with an amazing turnout from the local community that was matched by the diverse talent we had on stage. An amazing day” Jason Loftus – presenter of Nottingham LACE on Trent Sound

“We really enhoyed playing Trent Sounds Big Gig in the Arboretum. It was like a secret garden party but with all things great in Nottingham! from the food to the artists.It was an enjoyable day for all and we were thrilled to be invited to play an intimate set.” – OneGirlOneBoy

“We’ve said before how a lot of gigs are attended by the same faces, normally within the scene itself, so it was satisfying to see a selection of our great musical talent being enjoyed by the wider
public. Hopefully this will encourage more people to local gigs.” – Steve Oliver – presenter NottinghamLIVE & The Sunday Alternative on Trent Sound