This week in Notts! Enjoy Nottingham's first ever soapbox race, or relive Iron Maiden's career, brit pop and trip hop. Here's our top picks...
When: Thu 7 May
Where: Savoy cinema
How much: £5.50- £13
One of the heavy metal lovers, Burning Ambition is a feature-length documentary directed by Malcolm Venville and produced by Dominic Freeman, which chronicles Iron Maiden's iconic five-decade career in music. It traces the band's evolution and influence through interviews with band members and prominent figures in rock music and explores the creative decisions, challenges and milestones that have shaped their legacy. With 17 studio albums, approximately 2500 gigs across 64 countries and over 130million album sales, there’s plenty to go on. Pub trivia: did you know that their lead singer for most of that time, Bruce Dickinson, was born and brought up in Worksop?
When: Fri 8 May
Where: New Art Exchange
How much: Free
An event exploring Nottingham's social climate justice will be taking place in Hyson Green’s New Art Exchange on May 8th from 7:00pm - 11:00pm. Nottingham is known to be one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities with a strong focus on community, and the NEA will be using poetry, music and performance to address migrant targeting and far right narratives. This is part of the art galleries community focused programming designed to empower Nottingham's global ethnic majority and local Hyson Green residents through creative engagement.
When: Fri 8 May
Where: Metronome
How much: £20
Soulful singer songwriter Beth Rowley heads back out on the road this spring, stopping off in Nottingham as part of her ‘Pale jewel volume II’ UK tour. Known for her rich, expressive voice and heartfelt lyrics, she blends blues, Americana and gospel influences into something profoundly authentic. Initially she gained experience from backup singing for the likes of Enrique Iglesias and Ronan Keating, before stepping into the spotlight and creating a career that has spanned two decades. Along the way, she has shared stages with artists including David Gray, Jools Holland and Crowded House. Expect a set of warmth, honesty and soul.
When: Sat 9 May
Where: Rescue Rooms
How much: £12
It's a night for underground rock lovers as Haggard Cat, made up of Matt Reynolds (vocals and guitars) and Tom Marsh (drums) make their live comeback in Notts after several years out. This locally-based hardcore duo was formed as a side project from previous bands Baby Godzilla and Heck. However, since they split this has become their main project. They’ve both been signed to labels before like Earache, but now they’re out there on their own terms. Expect a wall of noise and some intense on-stage energy. Support on the night comes from Mother Vulture and Every Hell.
When: Sun 10 May
Where: Rescue Rooms
How much: £25
Celebrating the 27th anniversary of their best selling album, Free Peace Sweet, English rock band Dodgy are back on the road for a series of celebratory shows. Rising to fame in the Britpop era of the 1990s, twelve of their singles reached the UK top 40. Good Enough became the band's highest charting single and one of the most played tracks on British radio in the last 25 years. What came after was a twenty year period of releasing solo tracks, new members and playing at venues such as Glastonbury and Mash Fest.
When: Sun 10 May
Where: Market Square
How much: Free
Expect a day of thrills and excitement on Sunday 10 May as Nottingham's city centre will be transformed into a high energy race track. Soapbox racing is coming to Nottingham’s Market square for the very first time. Look forward to seeing everything from cleverly engineered racers to wildly imaginative creations. The event will run throughout the day, with multiple heats leading to a final, and it's free to attend. Alongside the racing, there are a variety of food and off track entertainment options, including the opportunity to meet and have a photograph with champion racer Sir Sidney Caralot and the Robin Hood Mascot. This event will be supporting its charity partner, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
When: Sun 10 May
Where: The Palais
How much: £44
Tricky (Nicholas Matthews Thaws) is a seminal English musician, rapper, producer, artist and occasional actor from Bristol. He was a key figure in the 1990s Bristol trip-hop scene and a member of Massive Attack for their seminal albums Blue Lines (1991) and Protection (1994). In 1995 he released the critically acclaimed album Maxinquaye, which set him up as a solo artist and led to more than a dozen more solo albums, including a couple under the moniker Lonely Guest. Expect an atmospheric show featuring material from across his extensive back catalogue.
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