Last weekend, Rough Trade Nottingham hosted the 18th consecutive Record Store Day, with local bands and international acts hitting the stage for a series of exciting live performances from the likes of Bored Marsh, Chloe Rodgers, Sancho Panza, Airport Dad and more...
According to data from the Official Charts Company, last year's physical record sales reached a two-decade high, with the ever-increasing vinyl market growing by 10.5% and generating £196 million. One eager punter spent £2,126 at Rough Trade Nottingham on Record Store Day 2025, and while I wasn't planning on parting with that type of money, I was eager to head into town and catch the second half of the event.
I'd planned to meet members of Nottingham Gig Buddies, a group set up in 2009 with around 400 active members on Facebook and Meet Up who have a broad spectrum of musical tastes. I introduced myself to group admin Craig and chatted with other members about Nottingham's music scene, £1 a-pint student nights in the 00s, and our first gigs, which ranged from Oasis to PJ & Duncan…
The day opened with a DJ set from Stiff Kittens, before Nottingham alt-rock heroes Bored Marsh performed.
Accomplished and captivating sets from ronnietoldus, The Housecat Collective and Chloe Rodgers then ensued...
I arrived just as Sancho Panza were about to perform; the Nottingham band have made a name for themselves since forming in 2018, and their eclectic sound has featured on BBC 6 Music and Radio 1's Future Sounds. Songs such as Rearrange The Diamonds and Suit and Hat have a chilled-out dreamy quality, whereas fan favourite Sheikhdown has more of a groove, which had everyone bobbing along to the prominent bassline.
Lead singer Jack Burton engaged the crowd throughout and spotted the band's former guitarist, Alex, in the crowd, whom he promptly dragged up on stage for a singalong. It was a nice moment that capped another excellent performance. You can see Sancho Panza —and possibly Alex again— playing The Chapel at The Angel Microbrewery on 9th May.
Next up was American Gigi Gold; the band's name combines lead singer Gillian's stage name with the classic US sitcom, The Golden Girls. The West Virginia-raised singer-songwriter blends modern folk with classic rock and influences from the 1960s and 1970s.
Gigi has a captivating stage presence but mixed it up by jumping off stage and weaving around the crowd. The band's musical flexibility is showcased by moving from the multi-layered You Aint Changed to the beautifully constructed Hot Coals and ending with the raucous Why Should I. They even threw in a copy of Jefferson Airplane's 1967 classic Somebody to Love, another nod to the band's influences.
The evening session moved along at a brisk pace, with enough people watching to create an atmosphere. However, it was not so crowded that you couldn't move or get a drink at the bar.
The penultimate act was Airport Dad; the Notts group met online at JoinMyBand.com during lockdown and has been featured on Radio 1 and at Splendour Festival. They were also a keen favourite among the Gig Buddies group. Airport Dad comprises lead singer Jesse, guitarist George, bassist Jack, and drummer Isaac.
Their 90s-inspired heavy grunge sound is offset by softer, atmospheric songs such as Alive and I Wanna Cry.
Another successful Record Store Day was rounded off by PASTE., the Nottingham band is a self-described hardcore grunge rock group that brought energy, explosive guitars, and some self-deprecation to the stage. PASTE. played the BBC Introducing stage at Hockley Hustle in 2023 and have gained a loyal following since. Their second track of the night, named after the Notts festival, thrashes on at an electrifying pace, with drummer Harvey Grewal coming to the fore.
With that, Record Store Day 2025 was over for another year, and Rough Trade had again provided a platform for Nottingham to showcase the diverse range of talented bands and musicians in our city. I was off to meet more Gig Buddies for a night of trance, dance and acid house as Twisted Onion events returned to The Chapel at The Angel Microbrewery.
Record Store Day 2025 events were hosted by Rough Trade on 12th April 2025.
Airport Dad and PASTE. photos courtesy of Timmy Francis Media - @timmyfrancismedia
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