The sun is out, the weather is warm, and Nottingham's Rough Trade is buzzing with energy as the dance floor fills with eager gig-goers, all gathering to see The Amazons. Now two days into their in-store Rough Trade tour, the rock band, known for their anthemic sound and blistering live performances, continue to draw crowds with ease...
There’s a particular connection between The Amazons and Nottingham.
“It’s been a long journey,” frontman Matt Thomson reminisces, tracing their local roots back to a 2015 gig at the now-closed Chameleon Arts Café, and a budding romance with the city that continued through shows at The Bodega.
The set here at Rough Trade focuses heavily on tracks from The Amazons' latest album 21st Century Fiction—a record that’s already stirred mixed reviews. One publication noted it’s “not very subtle,” but maybe that’s precisely the point. This album doesn’t whisper. It doesn’t cautiously tiptoe around difficult topics. It points a finger, lays them bare, and delivers its message through bluesy, existential-tinged guitar riffs that a crowd can chant to.
Pitch Black is the first song they play from the new album, and its country twang and bluesy feel direct the latest sound in a different direction. One infused with existential angst and satirical observations, yet still staying true to The Amazons’ signature sound, just with the guitars amped up. With lyrics that hit hard, exploring themes such as the pressure of potential, the person you could have been, and with all the rich guitar sound the band is celebrated for, it is a strong opener. It is the sort of track that makes you look into the void but saves you from being swallowed by it through its high energy and anthemic attitude.
Go All The Way reverses the semantics of this by encouraging a listener to throw themselves at their passion full pelt. The track is a rallying cry to its listeners; recognise your potential and chase it with every muscle. Through its driving rhythm and urgent tone it is an anthem of ambition, reminding the listener that success is seen in many ways and perhaps going for it, giving it your all, is enough.
Fans were also treated to an unreleased song that didn't quite make it onto the record, a demo track available on a deluxe digital bundle. The tune was unexpectedly uplifting, full of heartfelt hope, rich harmonies, and a guitar riff that built up with momentum. You could easily imagine it played in a stadium, with fans bouncing, moshing, and singing loudly.
Described by the band as “bold, courageous, and totally uncompromising with creativity,” the album certainly lives up to that promise. Tracks such as Love Is a Dog from Hell and Wake Me Up carried a raw, prophetic energy that reverberated through Rough Trade, resonating with both loyal fans and newcomers.
The crowd are a fundamental part of The Amazons foundation, and it was clear with their connection. When the crowd called for the classics including Black Magic from their debut album, they delivered and even finished off the night with Doubt It from their second album, Future Dust.
The Amazons resonate with their fans by keeping it real; their existential observations are not only self-aware but also thought-provoking. Between songs, Thomson shared some social commentary on the music industry.
“AI is a big thing right now and one day we are going to be in a world when a person on the street won't be able to differentiate between a song written by a human and a song written by AI. Everything is for an algorithm, for a trend. Through our albums,” he said, “we’re giving you our humanity—certain parts of our personality.”
The irony of these musings wasn’t lost on the band. With a wink of self-aware humour, Thomson followed up: “All that being said—please follow us on the ‘gram. And buy our new album,” which was met with laughter from the crowd, many of holding up their copy of the record, ready to be signed after the show.
Thomson’s social commentary is echoed in the themes of the album, which explores existential anxiety, unfulfilled promises, digital disarray, and political turmoil. The tracks resonate with the unrest many of us feel, the feeling that brings us to places like these, to sing loudly and to dance wildly, a testament to how music can set us free, but only if we provide a stage for it.
Watching such a renowned band deliver an intimate, stripped-back acoustic set in a space like Rough Trade felt genuinely special. A reminder that sometimes, the most powerful moments in music happen not in stadiums, but just a few feet away.
With that being said, The Amazons are set to return to Nottingham later this year, on October 26th, performing at iconic music venue Rock City.
The Amazons performed at Rough Trade Nottingham on 10th May 2025.
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