Nottingham's music scene is bursting at the seams, with new events popping up almost every month. Bassey spent a day at The Canalhouse and found himself spoilt for choice at the eclectic and charity-supporting Waterfront Festival...
First up my apologies to any band I didn't see. With three main stages plus one secret stage and 40 acts performing, I had my work cut out for this festival and I didn't manage to see everyone.
The vibe was set from the moment the festival started, clouds parted, the rain stopped and glorious sunshine shone down as Fat Cherry kicked off fashionably late on the outside Madri Stage. An open-air funky jam feel, featuring trumpet, guitar, bass, drums and main vocals from Grace Reeves, a perfect sound and feel to start the day and folks were already dancing to this Family Friendly/Friendly Family band. Many of Nottingham's talented artists attended the Festival and I spotted members of Pretty Windows, Wizards Can't Be Lawyers, Bad Blood Milk Robot, the artist Oliver Lovley aka Dog Explosion and many more in the crowd.
All the stages for this year's fest were promoted by official partners I'm Not From London and organised by the hard-working duo of Will Robinson (Creative Director) and Hannah Larham (Operations Manager). The Secret Stage is one of them, located upstairs next to the old narrowboat office. I managed to catch SwallowTail, a four-piece band with a wall of loud sounds from guitars, bass, drums and vocals. Loud Shoegaze guitar drones including a relentless rhythm on drum and bass and the room quickly filled with folks eager to see these guys.
A quick march to the indoor Gigantic Stage and I managed to watch Pretty Windows put together a quick no-nonsense sound check and then give an intense performance. This underhyped duo surely deserves a bigger following, their songs are starting to sound more like anthems these days and they speak both to me and for me: with songs like Vinyl and Heck, The Monday Club and Joy Division TV.
A run outside and Fat Digester were already on the Madri Stage; I counted nine members in the band but there could easily have been more, as they delivered a Jazzy/Souly/Hippy Hoppy vibe for the crowd. These guys demanded your attention and I can't believe I'd not seen them before. This is not a band for the faint hearted and don't think they'll let you hide in the corner – literally everyone was made to dance!
Back upstairs to catch The Royal Deficiency, another band I've not seen before and I'm still wondering why! Hard Rock or Punk or both, you decide for yourself, this Nottingham five-piece band kept the energy levels high. My respect to the metronomic drummer who kept it all together as they all raced into overdrive. With songs like Scum, Politics Is Pricks and Make An Example Out Of Me, I'm now a fan.
Next up was my first visit to the Castle Rock Stage and it's two floors up. Yet another new band for me, even though they've been going since 2015, Crazy Piece Of Mind are a trio on drums, bass and guitar with influences very much in the 90s Grunge sound. Powerful and thunderous bass playing to support the hard hitting drum sounds and edgy guitar chords all provided a sound so full that I had to keep reminding myself that there was only three musicians on stage! Really tight and the crowd loved their performance.
Staying at the Castle Rock Stage I then watched Commons, usually equipped with keys, guitars, bass and drums however the synth was out of action, so this was a full on rock sound. BBC Introducing have featured this five-piece band and I can see why, with songs like Queen Of Hearts, In My Head and Burn, these guys managed to keep their minds off the England game long enough to deliver a great set. Lead guitar and vocals were a stand out however every member was worthy of holding the stage.
My final watch at the Castle Rock Stage was Baby Tap, electronic anarchy at its best and the room was full of digital hardcore appreciative folks. The energy and bravery put out from this solo artist is breathtaking, he takes no prisoners. He's not just a key figure in the LGBTQ+ scene, he's one of Nottingham's best artists around and his hardcore, hard hitting industrial sounds are a must listen. Hey, I'm up for putting Baby Tap into the next Eurovision Song Contest. Who's with me?
It's getting late and I stumble outside to see Revenge of Calculon playing a blinding set on the Madri Sage. These Lucha Libre hardcore funksters are a mighty duo on bass and keys and I can't get enough of them. I love to see these guys perform and the crowd's reaction is always the same: initial shock at the powerful rhythmic dance tuuunes and then total involvement. I challenge you to try and not dance when these guys are playing. Funk should always be this dirty!
I finally bailed it at around 9pm. I'd experienced over 9 hours of awesome Nottingham sounds and an England football win and I needed a little chill time. Once again, huge apologies for any bands I missed and maybe next time we can send two LeftLion folks!
Also a massive congratulations to the Waterfront Festival team for raising an amazing £4,104.53 for Emmanuel House and Music Venue Trust. Incredible work!
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