Back in July, what could safely be described as Nottingham’s most exciting music competition: Future Sound of Nottingham, returned to Rock City – eight local acts taking the stage to showcase their talent. R&B singer Saffron Gray and alt-rock trio Archy & the Astronauts were crowned dual winners, and bagged nothing less than a main-stage slot at Splendour Festival later last month. We thought that it was the perfect time to catch up with these two acts (before they’re swept up by the national music press, of course)...
Congratulations on winning FSN! Can you tell us more about your journey as a musician to this point?
Archy & the Astronauts: Thanks so much! We’re Archy, Nathan and Travis, three best mates making alt rock music together. Archy and Nathan met at college and decided to chase music instead of university. After a line-up change, we found Travis in early 2023 and things really clicked. Since then, it’s been an amazing ride including touring across the UK and even the US, building something that feels bigger every time we hit the stage. We’ve been playing together for about two and a half years now, and it genuinely feels like we’re only just getting started.
Saffron Gray: I started singing and writing songs in church around age five, where I found my voice and love for music. I’ve been releasing music consistently since 2019, and I have been a support act for various artists. I started performing solo at open mic nights to build my confidence, and in late 2024 I formed my live band. I handpicked each member from local musicians I knew and trusted. We updated the band earlier this year, and now the energy and chemistry are on point. Performing with them has taken my live shows to another level.
In the past few weeks you performed at Rock City, were crowned Future Sound of Nottingham winners and opened the main stage at Splendour - how are you feeling?
AATA: It’s been a total whirlwind (in the best way possible!) Playing Rock City, winning FSN, flying out to play in New York, and then opening the Splendour main stage… all in the space of two weeks. We’re over the moon and finally just starting to take it all in. These are the kinds of moments we dreamed about when we started. It’s surreal, but now we’re hungrier than ever to keep pushing forward and make the next year even bigger. Nerves are shot, dopamine’s off the charts but we’re ready to go.
Saffron: Stepping onto the Rock City stage felt like I’d reached a new height in my career. It’s such a landmark in Nottingham, and performing there, where so many legends have stood, made me feel proud, grateful, and deeply honoured. I’m usually my own biggest critic, so moments like that don’t come often. Winning Future Sound of Nottingham and opening the main stage at Splendour gave me a rare chance to pause, reflect, and genuinely feel proud of myself. Not just happy, but fulfilled. It reminded me that I’m on the right path and gave me the fuel to keep going! I’m truly so grateful for every single moment.
How would you describe your music?
AATA: High energy, high voltage… high five. If you’re into big riffs and even bigger choruses, you’ll probably get a kick out of what we do. Think Royal Blood meets Muse with a bit of beautiful chaos thrown in.
Saffron: My music is a soulful blend of R&B with gospel roots, layered with raw emotion and modern flair. It speaks to the love, anxiety, heartbreak, healing, and struggles we often hide. I use my voice like a journal, capturing moments of vulnerability, strength, and desire. My music is made for anyone who’s ever felt too much and needed a song that gets it. I like to call it soul therapy, wrapped in a melody
Why did you enter FSN?
Saffron: I entered FSN as I am in a ‘crazy faith’ era in my career. I quit my job a few months ago and since then I have been putting myself forward for loads of different things and going to open mics in different cities. It started with busking and just placing myself anywhere I can be heard.
AATA: Rock City has been the dream venue since day one. FSN felt like the perfect challenge – a chance to take everything we’ve built and boil it down into one explosive, all-or-nothing set. And the chance to play the Splendour main stage? Unreal. No brainer.
If you could curate a dream line-up of your musical influences to play with, who would be on the list?
AATA: We’d love to bring River Drive along: they’re close mates and smash it live every time. Jake Bugg’s a Nottingham legend, and it was a proper fanboy moment meeting him at Splendour! Nothing But Thieves are one of our biggest inspirations and would be amazing to support. And then, throw in some giants like Queens of the Stone Age and Muse. We’ve looked up to both bands for years. Honestly, it would have to be a festival at this point with the amount of artists we’d love to share a stage with.
Saffron: If I could curate my dream line-up, it’d be a mix of R&B royalty and rising stars from both the UK and US. I’d love to share the stage with artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, and SZA. Their vulnerability and vocal delivery are unmatched. From the UK, I’d have to include Cleo Sol, Bellah, and Mahalia, all of whom bring that soulful, honest energy I connect with
What music do you have out at the moment? Any new releases on the horizon?
Saffron: Right now, I have nine singles and three EPs available across all platforms. I’ve poured so much of myself into every release. I dropped my brand new EP called Pieces of Me in July. To celebrate, I hosted a release party at Lace Bar in Nottingham which was a whole vibe! This project means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Rock City has been the dream venue since day one. FSN felt like the perfect challenge – a chance to take everything we’ve built and boil it down into one explosive, all-or-nothing set
AATA: We’ve got our debut EP out along with several singles, the latest being Bite the Hand. Right now, we’ve got a few new songs already finished and more still in the works. We’ve been road-testing them at shows to decide which ones to release next. We’ve focused heavily on the live experience, but now it’s time to ramp up the releases. Keep your ears open, as something big (and maybe a bit epic) is coming very soon.
Any last words for LeftLion?
Saffron: Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my journey. This definitely won’t be the last you hear from me! I’ll be back out on the streets of Nottingham busking again very soon. Keep watching!
AATA: Thanks for giving a platform to bands like us. We’re proud to be part of Nottingham’s music scene. Now let’s make some noise...
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