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Gig review: Gogol Bordello at Rock City

When you go to see a show, it's usually all about the headliner - right? The support(s) are there to warm up the crowd. Maybe they’re similar, or friends of the main act, but the night is centred around the headliner. That’s how it usually goes. But it doesn’t have to, and Gogol Bordello (and the people at their label Casa Gogol) have curated an excellent night highlighting the history of global punk music, celebrating the genre in full, with three differing and fantastic takes that reflect three different worlds, all uniting. Nottingham's Rock City hosted the show...

Gig review: The Amazons at Rock City

In an explosive performance, The Amazons balanced rage and radiance in a Rock City set that felt less like a gig and more like a reckoning...

In photos: Coheed and Cambria at Rock City

What you can and can't recycle in Nottingham City Council brown grey-lidded bins

Are you a Nottingham City Council resident? Do you have a brown bin with a grey lid? Not exactly sure what should go in it? Let us help guide you. It might be simpler than you think...

Instagram's The Nottingham Pint Guide on championing our city's independent boozers

Nottingham’s pub scene is up there with the best in the country, and nobody knows it better than Tom Head – or, as you probably know him, Nottingham Pint Guide. Chances are you’ve stumbled across his Instagram while scrolling your feed, so we met up with the Pintman himself to talk all things beer. Tom is Nottingham’s lager-loving, ale-guzzling champion of the city’s independent boozers. He also happens to be married to our Food Co-Editor…

Carnival themed bingo, West End rock n roll and the Comedy Festival: here's what's on this week 27 October-2 November 2025

If you fancy starting Halloween off with clowns and digits or perhaps you're in the mood for some punk rock tickets, we've got you covered! Themed bingo or concert what will you choose, either way there's most definitely something for you.

Concert review: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Michael Seal at the Royal Concert Hall

Conducted with an unshowy economy by Michael Seal, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra led an appreciative Nottingham audience through a musical exploration of spaces both literal and liminal, and probed the interrelationship of things within those spaces...

Gig review: Reef at Rock City

Anyone who managed to place their hands on tickets for the Reef gig at Rock City knew they were in for a good night of music as the band played the entirety of their 1995 debut album in its 30th anniversary year....

Gig review: The Wedding Present at Rock City

Rock group As December Falls talk their latest album and headlining Rock City

As December Falls are a gem of the UK alternative scene. Hailing from Nottingham, they have risen-up through the locals ranks to become a renowned name of heavy music on the national stage. Their new album, Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine, is an honest and heartfelt look into their lives. To talk all about the new record, their upcoming homecoming at Rock City and what Nottingham means to them, frontwoman Bethany Curtis and lead guitarist Ande Hunter joined us over Zoom…

Gig review: The Rock Orchestra - The Arena of Fire - at Motorpoint Arena

Stereotypically, orchestras play classical music. The two go hand in hand. It’s a natural combination. However, one collective of musicians are trying, and succeeding, to prove this wrong. They are The Rock Orchestra, and they perform orchestral arrangements of hugely popular rock and metal songs to huge audiences globally, alongside three incredible main vocalists, some insanely good fire dancers, and huge, gothic-inspired stage pieces. The combination of all these elements makes them extremely popular amongst concert-goers, and they are truly a treat to watch and hear. We caught them at Motorpoint Arena for their Arena of Fire production, their biggest and boldest show yet...

Gig review: Atreyu at Rock City

Atreyu are giants of the alternative and emo musical world. Famed for heavy riffs, powerful screaming verse sections and vocally rousing choruses, we caught them at Rock City (rightly described by vocalist Brandon described as a "legendary venue") on the final night of the UK leg of their tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album The Curse, which has recently received a gorgeous re-issue special edition. They were joined by the fantastic acts Zero 9:36 and Eighteen Visions...

The Thompsons on street art, Rocky Horror, and Notts venues

In late August, Nottingham's most opinionated grocers told us their opinions on September's hot topics - spanning street art, Nottingham venues, and surreal two trips that they made to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Theatre Royal...

Gig review: Black Country, New Road at Rock City

Black Country, New Road's Forever Howlong tour kicked off at Rock City for what was - shockingly - the first headline gig for the band in the city. One of the best exports from The Windmill Brixton scene proved once again why they’re worth the hype...

Gig review: The Hives at Rock City

The Hives are survivors. Having broken through at the vanguard of the garage rock scene of the early 00s, they cemented themselves early as one of the wildest, most exciting propositions in live music. Through classics such as Hate to Say I Told You So, Walk Idiot Walk and Tick Tick Boom, the band have become a beloved fixture in the landscape, carving out their niche and weathering the changing musical tides even as their peers fell away... 

In photos: Nothing But Thieves at Rock City

Locating Lawrence: July 1925

Most people like an ice cream and book on the beach, unlike D.H Lawrence…

Perfect Ten: a retrospective on Nottingham City of Literature's decade in business

Readers, prepare your confetti. 2025 marks our first decade as a UNESCO City of Literature - with many more, we hope, to come. Since 2015, Nottingham City of Literature has been honouring their commitment to building better futures with words, especially for our young people. This has included working with local educational institutions to enhance literacy, facilitating career events for blossoming creatives, and fostering global connections with Nottingham’s UNESCO sister cities. We took a look at what they’ve achieved so far….

Gig review: Future Sound of Nottingham Final at Rock City

The Future Sound of Nottingham is one of our city's most exciting music competitions. In the culmination of this year's event, eight acts from across the area competed at Rock City in a high energy final. Read on to find out which musicians were awarded the opportunity to perform at Splendour Festival...

We built this city: celebrating twenty years of I'm Not From London with head promoter Will Robinson

Man about town, creature of the night, gig aficionado, and master of mayhem Will Robinson has been keeping Nottingham’s music scene alive and kicking for twenty years with promotion company I’m Not From London. As the fifteenth Waterfront Festival draws close on Saturday 2 August at the Canalhouse, anniversary celebrations in the works and a great roster of gigs coming up, we caught up with Will to hear some highlights from two decades of gigs.

Local indie rockers The Publics talk influences, community and Splendour Festival

Local indie legends The Publics are known for high energy live shows and a unique double frontman approach. From a huge, sold-out Rescue Rooms headline spot back in December to a main stage slot at Splendour this year, they’ve been up to some very big things. We caught up with lead guitarist Elliot Stephenson to discuss their influences, ethics and upcoming plans…

Preview: Future Sound of Nottingham at Rock City 2025

Returning for 2025, the Future Sound of Nottingham gives Nottingham and Nottinghamshire musicians the opportunity to play the iconic main stages of both Rock City and Splendour Festival.

Gig review and interview: Loren Kramar supports Father John Misty at Rock City

We caught with up with American singer-songwriter Loren Kramar ahead of his Rock City show supporting the legendary Father John Misty...

Comedy Review: Omid Djalili's Namaste Tour at the Nottingham Playhouse

The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show to the Nottingham audience. So what's it all about...

Indie rock, surrealism, and charity football: Here's what's on in Nottingham, 23 -29 June

Whether you're a gig-goer, someone interested in experimental art, or just searching for something for your whole family to do, there'll be something for you in Nottingham this week.