The Dead Harts. photo: Claudette Jarvis
Adelphia were the first band of the day in Rock City Main Hall, and even though the lead singer, Nicholas, was struggling with his sore throat, they still managed to get a crowd jumping and singing along. Another local band, Lacey, played at The Forum and were also host to a big crowd. Sounding as full of energy as on their recordings and jumping around the stage with pure excitement on their faces, they smashed it and showed why they deserved their slot – they even left you wanting more and let’s face it, that’s not easy to do even when famous.
The Rescue Rooms bar was host to the acoustic acts - the majority being local – starting with Alex Hel. He set up the day well with his chilled out vibes and smooth voice to match, which people in the bar couldn’t help themselves from tapping their feet along to. Following Alex was a young man named Adam Zareba, who instantly seemed at home behind his guitar and a microphone with a non-stop smile running from cheek to cheek. His joyful mood seemed infectious as the whole bar was smiling and laughing along. Not only was his performance fun with his own songs, but during the covers such as Mr Brightside by The Killers, he had everyone singing along. The hairy beast that is Sam Jones, with his energetic vibe and powerful voice, was next on the acoustic stage. He owned the room connecting with everyone in the bar between songs with his funny and humbling personality.
Eva Plays Dead. photo: Claudette Jarvis
As Rock City Main Hall was getting pumped up and ready for The Summer Set, it was obvious this was going to be one of the most anticipated sets of the day, and they certainly lived up to the high expectations. Playing some of their most fun and catchy songs, people were fan-girling everywhere and reliving their teenage years of listening to their albums on the school bus. Sounding even better than on their albums, showing everyone that they’re not a band to be forgotten or under-estimated.
It became obvious just how big this festival had become when queues were building up for every venue and every band, making it difficult to fit in all the acts on the list.
Baby Godzilla were performing at Stealth at 7pm with this venue being one of the smaller rooms adding to the excitement and anxiety for their show. If you didn’t fancy getting bruised and bashed the only safe place to stand was at the back. However, with the venue being small, you could still see and enjoy everything whilst hiding from the craziest mosh pit of the day. They certainly proved themselves with their playing not hindered in the slightest as they joined in the mosh pits and crowd surfed through the majority of the set.
Before you knew it, it was time to get back to The Forum for Kids in Glass Houses. Having recently announced that they’re breaking up, this would be their second-to-last visit to Nottingham, so there was a massive eagerness from the whole crowd to make sure they could get as close to the stage as possible. They may be coming to the end of their rocking career together, but their hour-long set didn’t feel like it. Playing songs from all of their albums, they had the whole of the venue going crazy with hands in the air, mosh pits, jumping and singing along, proving why their career has been so successful.
Elegies. photo: Claudette Jarvis
We then find ourselves coming to the end of the festival, with running to Rock City Basement to see The Blackout. Even though the main band of the day, Brand New were starting half way through their set, they still managed to fill the venue right to the very end. The energy coming from the stage was just as incredible as expected, with their ‘sit down, jump up’ routine involving the crowd. They refused to be over-shadowed by their fellow Welsh band, taking a Kids in Glass Houses foam finger from a fan and putting it on while performing their last couple of tracks.
Once The Blackout had finished, there was a race for everyone to catch the rest of the Brand New set, who had already filled the big room at Rock City. Unfortunately, a few people left early, stating they weren’t as impressive as expected. However, musically they were on top of their game as their enduring passion for performing carried through the whole venue, and they proved themselves as a perfect headline choice.
Hit The Deck Festival took place in Nottingham on Sunday 20 April 2014.
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