Since its inaugural event in 2018, charity festival Beat The Streets has firmly established itself as the annual curtain-raiser for Nottingham’s music scene. We look at ahead to this year's edition...
Beat The Streets offers a winning combination of music and community spirit. Allowing locals to discover some of the city’s best upcoming acts while raising essential funds for Notts based charity Framework, last year’s event generated a whopping £81,600, with the 2023 event also helping to build a block of flats in Hyson Green aimed at accommodating rough sleepers.
With this weekend’s event also promising to be the perfect way to properly kick off the year, mixing live music with vital community fundraising, we thought we’d highlight just some of the acts worth catching on Sunday.
Bored Marsh – Rescue Rooms, 8pm
For Fans of: Interpol, The Cure, Editors
Their performance at Beat The Streets 2024 was nominated by our team as one of the best festival performances of 2024, so its no surprise to see Bored Marsh return to the bill for 2025. With their debut EP Idiot released at the back end of 2024, gaining them critical acclaim and further national exposure, Bored Marsh continue to be one of the city’s most promising new acts. Expect big anthems and dark, hypnotic guitar passages.
Do Nothing – Rock City (Main Hall), 7:15pm
For Fans of: The Vaccines, Franz Ferdinand, Yard Act
Indie quartet Do Nothing have long been favourites in the local Notts scene, with their 2023 debut album Snake Sideways also released to favourable reviews. Their live performances are known to be both brooding and energetic in equal measure, thanks to their gradual evolution from post-punk darlings to more polished indie rockers. With their set on Sunday their first hometown show since March last year, expect a sizeable crowd!
Emzae – Rough Trade, 3:30pm
For Fans of: Charli XCX, Grimes, Sugababes
From just up the road in Derby, Emzae has been making pop music out of her bedroom since her early teens. The epitome of a DIY artist, the ultra-talented Emzae is known for singing, writing, recording, producing, mixing and even playing every instrument on most of her tracks. This was exemplified by her fantastic debut album All Those Things I Thought I Knew, released in September 2023. Playing in Rough Trade this Sunday, expect to hear catchy hooks and vibrant pop beats that will be in your head for hours afterwards.
Evil Scarecrow – Rock City (Main Hall), 5pm
For Fans of: Spinal Tap, Enter Shikari, KISS
Putting it simply, Evil Scarecrow are one of the most fun, eccentric and theatrical live acts in Nottingham. Whether you’re a fan of metal or not, their mix of gothic outfits and over-the-top silliness is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Expect evil chickens, robots and crabs from other dimensions and plenty of “WTF” moments! To learn more about the band and their mantra, you can also read our full interview with Dr. Hell from our January Issue here.
Jayahadadream – Rock City (Main Hall), 3pm
For Fans of: Little Simz, Dave, Kano
Another one of Nottingham’s brightest rising stars, rapper Jayahadadream had an absolute massive 2024, which saw her release her debut EP with frequent collaborator Zoutr, titled Redemption Songs. She also won the prestigious Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition, landing her an opening slot on the Woodsies stage at the festival. As more buzz gathers around her both on the local and national levels, this is a great time to catch her play a hometown show before word really gets out!
Planning on having a late one on Sunday? Jaya and Zoutr will also be hosting the official Beat The Streets afterparty in Bodega’s downstairs bar from 11pm. Expect plenty of hip-hop, garage, jungle and, most of all, good times!
Marseille – Rock City (Beta), 5:45pm
For Fans of: The Stone Roses, Oasis, The Charlatans
Another band from Derby making the trip over on Sunday, indie quartet Marseille released their debut EP Godiva in September last year to a decent bit of fanfare. A project that wore its influences on its sleeve like a badge of honour, they’ve already drawn comparisons to Mancunian giants The Stone Roses and Oasis for their sprawling rock anthems and mesmerising guitar work. A band that are becoming a real live force, we’re expecting another captivating performance this Sunday.
Riding The Low – Rock City (Main Hall), 4pm
For Fans of: Shed Seven, Manic Street Preachers, Suede
You may know local legend Paddy Considine from his work in popular films and TV shows such as Dead Man Shoes, Hot Fuzz, Peaky Blinders and House of The Dragon. But did you know, he also fronts his own rock band, Riding The Low? Well, you do now! The Beeston local will be hitting the famous Rock City stage in the afternoon for what promises to be one of the most highly anticipated sets of the whole festival. With a set at Download also planned for later in the year, here’s your chance to get a sneak preview!
ROB.GREEN – Rock City (Beta), 9:15pm
For Fans of: Beyoncé, Aloe Blacc, Childish Gambino
For anyone who has seen ROB.GREEN perform at local festivals here in the past, you’ll know that each gig is a borderline spiritual experience. With his own enigmatic energy and raw, honest songwriting generating a communal euphoria when singing along with him, it’s truly a live show feeling like no other. With new music also rumoured to be on the way before his Jungle Child tour this Spring, this Sunday’s show promises to be another special event. So, if you’ve yet to see the soul-pop sensation perform, do not miss this golden opportunity.
The Hoplites – Rock City (Main Hall), 9:45pm
For Fans of: UB40, Madness, The Specials
In terms of the number of musicians on stage at any one time on Sunday, then reggae-ska outfit The Hoplites may take the title home comfortably. The nine-piece outfit have been generating a bit of buzz from their local live shows, with the band simply bursting with immensely talented musicians who just love to perform. Check out their debut single River of Change released in 2024, then head down to their set this weekend for a fun-filled knees-up! If you want to explore further before Sunday, you can also read our interview with the band from August last year here.
The Publics – Rock City (Main Hall), 6:15pm
For Fans of: Arctic Monkeys, Reytons, Courteeners
And last but certainly not least, The Publics are quickly becoming the next big indie band to breakout from the Nottingham scene. From truly biblical shows at The Bodega and Rescue Rooms in recent times, to packing out massive tents at local festivals and supporting the likes of The Lottery Winners and Hard-Fi, their knack for sending audiences into a joyous, anthem-fuelled frenzy is becoming quickly renowned. Expect more chaotic scenes when they perform this Sunday for what promises to be one of the wildest sets of the whole festival.
This is just a snapshot of some of the great bands performing this Sunday. You can find the full Beat The Streets line-up and set-times here
Buy your tickets and support Framework here.
Beat The Streets takes place at various venues across Nottingham on Sunday 26th January 2025.
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