While most of the focus of the local music world this week is aimed towards Wollaton Park, where Splendour will be welcoming the likes of Happy Mondays and Tom Odell, on the outskirts of Nottingham another festival will be welcoming families for a day of great live music that is well worth checking out.
Farnstock 2014 is taking place in Farnsfield, a small village by Sherwood Forest (for those not familiar with it) and they’ve put together a great lineup with a strong Nottingham contingent – as well as a host of other family friendly activities.
Natalie Duncan
NATALIE DUNCAN is one of the biggest names on the Nottingham scene and along with Dog is Dead and Jake Bugg was the first of the current crop to start grabbing national attention, landing an appearance on Jools Hollands acclaimed show and earning the chance to support music heavyweights Muse. This Saturday Natalie will be thrilling the crowds at St Michaels School with her sensational vocals on stunning tracks such as Devil in Me.
CROSA ROSA are a band that are making a fair bit of noise on the Nottingham scene at the moment, blasting to people’s attention as they made it to the final of this year’s Future Sound of Nottingham competition the band also recently supported Model Morning on their special Nottingham reunion show – review of that gig here – now you’ll be able to catch them rocking out at Farnstock.
There will be some great acoustic sets with performances from BRETT SINCLAIR, Platform 58 frontman DOM and the wonderful BECY SYSON.
LORNA are a true hidden gem on the Nottingham music scene, regularly releasing new albums on US label Words on Music they don’t quite get the acknowledgment their talent deserves, producing beautiful, mesmerising sounds we highly recommend checking them out. They were in fantastic form when we saw them perform at the Bonington Theatre in Arnold earlier this year where they played alongside The Amber Herd and another act playing the festival this Saturday.
THE WILD MAN OF EUROPE are, despite the name, a full on band project fronted by Alec Bowman who combine an interesting mix of instruments, from guitars to saws, with stripped back, haunting lyrics to produce wonderful alt-country and folk sounds.
CANNON BONE are a duo we don’t know much about but have heard great things of, in particular from The Wild Man of Europe’s Alec who has raved about them in recent reviews, saying of the band “Live, Cannon Bone are full-spectrum visceral, ultrasonic to infrared. Chugging, strummed, distorted bass chord riffs or every wavelength through 2 bass amps and a floor full of red stripe and pedals”.
Lorna
For the younger ones in attendance – and maybe the young at heart older ones as well – the brilliant JOHNNY & THE RAINDROPS will also be in attendance. If you haven’t seen this band’s excellent rock and roll for the kids show then you’re missing out, from pirates to robots their sets are always an absolute blast.
On top of that there will also be sets from youngsters IN BETWEEN ODDS, Farnstock covers band HARRY & THE BOYS and a headline slot from ace Wycombe rockers JETTBLACK, plus there will be a Silent Disco, activities in the field, a preschool tent, quality local food and a beer and cider festival, ensuring that there will be plenty to enjoy on the day.
Tickets are just £15 for adults, £5 for 12-17 year olds and totally free for anyone under 12, they’re running low though so get one quick if you don’t want to miss out.
Farnstock 2014 takes place at St Michael’s School, Farnsfield on Saturday 19 July, for more information click here
