Pick of the Week: 6 - 12 October

Views of Matlock Bath - George Miles

High Focus Records presents…
This UK hip hop label are taking the land by storm with earthquake beats and galactic lyricism. Luckily for us, a tour of theirs is hitting up Nottingham in a showcase of some of the best rhythms and poetry you’ll have heard. It ain’t for nothing either – stalwart emcee Fliptrix is launching his new album Polyhymnia with a bucket full of tunes and a few of his mates to back it. Verb T, Jam Baxter, Leaf Dog, BVA, Molotov, DJ Madnice and a surprise support act pack out a line up that’s got many a hand trembling in anticipation. This one’s sure to be a sellout, so move fast if you wanna see the cream of the hip-hop crop on the British scene today.
Tuesday 7 October, 10.30pm, £6–£10, Rescue Rooms

Kagoule and God Damn
Nottingham grunge masters Kagoule have been making a colossal racket in Notts for a few years now, earning rave reviews with each release and show they play. As part of their tour, they’re back in Notts. In between hiding vinyl all over the city centre and recording their debut album, they’re co-headlining a show with fellow noisemakers God Damn. We’re expecting big things. Rumours are flying about a signing, and it won’t be long until this weatherproof lot are on their way to alternative superstardom, so catch them at an intimately humble gig while you can.
Wednesday 8 October, 7pm, £7, The Bodega

Haiku Salut Lamp Show
As much as we love gigs, they are, fundamentally, pretty much the same: band on stage, audience in front of the stage, band plays music, crowd goes wild after every song. Nowt wrong with that, but every now and again you’d like something extra but without having to tolerate a big stage show from Katy Perry or Pink. Something quirky but not try hard. Swimming did it with their binaural shows a couple of years ago and now Haiku Salut are having a go. They haven’t reinvented the wheel, but they have added some rather cool spokies. The instrumental trio have got a bunch of vintage lamps and rigged them up to flash, flick, fade along to the music, like an extra member of the band. It’s going to look lovely, and with the darkening evenings, dare we say, magical.
Wednesday 8 October, 7.30pm, £7/£8, Nottingham Contemporary

George Miles: Views of Matlock Bath
Traditionally we’ve got a bit of beef with the owd Derby lot, but that all goes out the window as soon as someone mentions a trip to Matlock. We simply can’t resist the fish and chips, 2p machines, cable cars, or a jolly good walk in the countryside. George Miles’ new exhibition explores the latter through a mixture of photography and classic painting techniques, highlighting the very real beauty that lies just a short drive away. Even our Byron had a soft spot for its lovely landscapes, proving the hills and valleys to be a timeless source of inspiration. Leave that deep-seated rivalry at the door and soak up the love.
Launch event: Wednesday 8 October, 6pm-8pm, free, Bonington Atrium, Nottingham Trent University. Exhibition runs until Friday 31 October, Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm

People’s Assembly Public Meeting
“What is the real cost of austerity?” With a general election looming in less than a year, we are invited to look at real issues in a time when new taxes are appearing while cuts are made to benefits, the NHS and the ILF. It’s easy to feel hopeless when it comes to discussing issues like these, but the speakers at this meeting aim to change that. Chipping in his two bob’s worth is author of Harry’s Last Stand, Harry Smith, a man who grew up in an NHS-less Britain in the thirties with quite a story to tell. Joining him is Daily Mirror journalist Ros Wynne Jones, child poverty campaigner Ruth Lister, co-founder of People’s Assembly Against Austerity Lindsey German, and Tom Crawford, who was served with eviction from his home by a state-owned bank. Don’t fall silent.
Thursday 9 October, 7pm, free, Nottingham Mechanics Institute

Remembering Rosa Parks
During Black History Month there are a host of events to celebrate and remember people and events in history. The University of Nottingham’s American and Canadian Studies department have put together a talk on civil rights, women’s rights and human rights, with the central focus being Rosa Parks. Arguably one of the most iconic figures in the movement to end segregation in America, she was the woman who refused to give up her seat on the bus so that white people could sit down. There’ll be five speakers on the day who are sure to engage, educate and entertain.
Thursday 9 October, 1.30pm, free, Studio 7, University of Nottingham, King’s Meadow Campus, Lenton Lane.

Plates – Record Shop Opening
The Irish Club has had a switch and change around: not only has it been renamed The I Club – which will never stick, it’ll always be The Irish -  there is going to be an all-vinyl record shop opening downstairs. Wanting to go beyond consumerism, Plates want to build a community where skills are shared and like-minded people are brought together. And who better to kick off that than the scratch DJ with four World DMC titles, Mr Switch.  The party runs all day and then moves to the club in the evening with Mr Beatnick who, we’ve been reliably informed, will be bringing his collection of jungle and hardcore records for you all to go a little bit mental to.
Friday 10 October, 12-10pm, free, Plates Record Shop, Wilford Street. 10pm-4am, The I Club, Wilford Street.

NG52s, Flemmings, CANs, and P.A.M.s
Not that we live for the weekend, but it is rather nice to let off a little steam on a Friday night. If you like your rock to be garage and your punk to be frantic, JT Soars will be the perfect place to reach boiling point. With a line-up that boasts Nottingham’s premiere - albeit only - B52s tribute band, the NG52s. Other acts will be P.A.M.s, don’t pop to the loo during their set else you’ll miss at least three of their fast slices of raw music, the CANs will be bringing their fuzzy heads and fuzzy guitars, and Flemmings will also be bringing the noise. Don’t let your hair down, pile it up high and have it swaying to the sounds.
Friday 10 October, 7.30pm, £5, JT Soar

Dollop
We all love a good blob of electronic music on our plates and it’s highly important that, every so often, we skank our troubles away. Enter Dollop. If you’ve been out the gloop for a while, fear not. As the cold nights close in, a sweaty rave on a Friday night offers the perfect opportunity to get back on it. The line-up boasts a weighty, old school mix of Swamp 81’s Loefah, Patrick Topping, Benton, Horsepower’s Benny Ill and a fifth, yet-to-be-announced monster. Early birds have already sold out, so grab a ticket while you can.
Friday 10 October, 10pm, £12, Stealth

Gringo Records Night
Last year, Gringo were nominated for “Best Small Label” at the Association of Independent Music Awards, and we can see why. Ever since firing up in 1997, they’ve worked with some of the chief experimental rock acts from the ends, and they don’t seem to be stopping any time soon. With a huge nod to DIY bands, they’re whacking on one of their much loved gigs with appearances from grassroots two-piece That Fucking Tank; “superlative-superalternative-supermarket-noise” makers IEPI; and Grey Hairs, who’re soon to be releasing their debut album. Dead cheap, and the perfect opportunity to lose your nut to some real sound.
Saturday 11 October, 8.30pm, £5, The Chameleon Arts Cafe

Nottingham Past Lives
Visual artist Anthony Hatton has been a busy bee. He’s compiled loads of home movie footage from around Nottingham to create the ultimate nostalgia fix. In a unique blend of the arts, composers Dave Sturt and Chris Ellis have devised a soundtrack to go along with the screening, to be performed live by local musicians. Following the show there will be a discussion, and traditional afternoon tea is served in the café throughout. Positively splendid! Get yersen to this Freefall Arts production and blast into the past world of our region through a forgotten lens. Don’t forget to book, though.
Saturday 11 October, 2.30pm, £10, Djanogly Theatre

Maze in Motion
There’ve been a fair few successful film nights up Mansfield Road of late, so the square-eyed boggers have decided to make it a monthly shebang. As the first of many to come, Sunday’s screening session takes the theme of international flicks, and they’ve got a couple of corkers lined up. The first film is La Haine, a black and white French drama following three twenty-something Parisian mates struggling with society in the slums. The second is City of God, a Brazilian crime drama following young lads and their involvement in the notorious organised crime scene of Rio de Janeiro. Both eye-opening and brilliant productions, all to be enjoyed in a lovely pub with a refreshing pint and excellent company.
Sunday 12 October, 6pm, free, The Maze

For the full motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.

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