Live: No Tomorrow Festival 2014

Sam Smith at No Tomorrow Festival - Photo by Shaun Gordon Photography

Joining Nottingham’s already established Splendour and Dot to Dot festivals, and competing head-to-head on the day with drum and bass festival Detonate, No Tomorrow had its work cut out to prove itself on the cities’ festival scene. But, with an impressive chart-topping roster and by making itself Nottingham's most exciting after-exam event for students, it’s surely ousted any first-year worries.

In short No Tomorrow is a daylong tribute to popular dance music, with Nottingham University formed London Grammar staring as main headliners next to Sam Smith, Clean Bandit and DJ Duke Dumont, but also supporting local artists such as Indiana, who has recently enjoyed chart success with her single Solo Dancing.

The Afterdark Movement - Photo by Shaun Gordon Photography

Following in the footsteps of Splendour, who have a standing tradition of assigning the opening slot to a local act via the Future Sound of Nottingham competition, No Tomorrow saw Wolf Club open the main stage of the festival.

The Second Nottingham band to play, The Afterdark Movement bought more than just good vibes, family and friends to the arena - They bought the sunshine, and with it a sizable crowd. Then came Bruno Major, whose placement as the only 'indie' artist seemed a bit off putting, but in light of the newly acquired sunshine was a short lived faux pass as festival goers took to lying on the grass.

After a rainy forecast we were soon basking in sunshine in Wollaton Hall’s back garden, which acted as host for all three of the festivals stages, as well as a mini fair ground, three bar areas, a rubber ring arena for jelly wrestling and a variety of food stalls.

Consolidating a friendly atmosphere early on was a major plus for No Tomorrow, leaving acts such as London Grammar, Jess Glynne and Indiana to freely move amongst the crowds, having pictures taken with fans and showing support for fellow acts, with Sam Smith seen taking advantage of his backstage view during Jess Glynne’s set.

Indiana - Photo by Shaun Gordon Photography

Notably there were two DJ tents that added to the festival’s after-party vibe, one of which housed the crowd-drawing Eton Messy and Duke Dumont, with the latter reaching No 1 with his singles I Got You and Need You 100%, and whom successfully mixed R Kelly’s Bump N’ Grind to a packed tent of ravers.

For a taste of Gracious K’s Migraine Skank you might have ventured up to the Small Top tent to see Gin & Juice’s set where there was a dedicated huddle ready to drop low to A$AP Rocky’s F**kin’ Problems, and where Artful Dodger would later bring back their trusty UK garage style.

London Grammar - Photo by Shaun Gordon Photography

Then came the big hitters. As a precursor to the sounds we were about to consume, Nottingham’s Indiana began a wave of deep vocals with an electronic buzz, setting the scene for Clean Bandit, Sam Smith and London Grammar.

Wearing a purple velvet suit jacket, Sam Smith began somewhat of a romantic affair as the sun began to set on Wollaton Hall’s Elizabethan features. Opening with the consuming Nirvana, couples and friends alike were swaying through a playlist of hits, including his break through feature on Disclosure’s Latch and Naughty Boy’s La La La.

London Grammar's Hannah Reid - Photo by Shaun Gordon Photography