“This is the kind of stupidity that sets us apart from every other band,” says James frontman Tim Booth as he launches the band’s encore by playing a brand new, unreleased track. It’s the final risk taken in a show defined by the band’s willingness to break the rules and try something new, strategies which may just be at the core of their massive longevity as they play to a packed-solid Motorpoint Arena, more than forty years into their careers as a band. About an hour and a

The Wakefield indie rock legends come through town on the tour for their brand new album, Selling a Vibe, with support from Courting. Liz Clarke reports. I love it when a support band seemingly does not care that they’re the opening act and that a majority of the crowd will not know who they are, and this was exactly the experience I had watching Liverpool’s Courting , performing with a desire to merge with the crowd that many would reserve for their most hardcore fans. Thro

Generally, the quality of any gig is directly proportional to how angry and politically charged the band or artist is. And if we are to use this index, as we ought to, then we must reach the obvious conclusion that Witch Fever continue to be one of the most underrated bands in their scene. The Manchester doom metal outfit kicked off their UK & European tour of their new album, Fevereaten , at the Bodega and demonstrated the veracity of this correlation beyond doubt. The Mic'

The University of Nottingham’s BandSoc has always provided a fantastic platform for new and existing student bands to come together, practice, and jam, whether that be at Mooch, open mics, or a number of acoustic opportunities. The society’s latest venture, though – another Battle of the Bands competition in collaboration with NTU’s SEMP (Sound Engineering and Music Production) and Event societies – might be one of the most exciting moments in the society’s recent history. I

Last year, Kelburn Garden Party returned to the West Coast of Scotland for its 15th celebration, and it's safe to say that since then, the Kelburn crew have been busy, busy, busy… The Mic's Abi Kara-Fernandes reports. From collaborating with Gilded Balloon and Paradise Palms Bars and Events to bring the new multi-genre venue, The Gilded Saloon, to Edinburgh, to the Halloween Haunted Forest at Kelburn Estate, Kelburn Arts are showing no sign of slowing down. This summer, they

Pict, live at The Bodega Each year, Beat the Streets transforms Nottingham into a city-wide celebration of grassroots music, with venues and organisers raising money for Framework, the local charity helping people who experience homelessness across the East Midlands. More than just a gig-hopping exercise, the event brings together artists, promoters and audiences around a shared commitment to community and accessible creative spaces. From early afternoon sets to late-night cl

A scene known for its technical, jazzy post-rock associated bands, the London ‘Windmill Scene’ is already responsible for a host of giants in modern British indie rock, such as Black Country New Road, Black Midi and Maruja. There’s one band that boasts a sound completely distinct from their peers, though, and that’s Manchester-based Westside Cowboy. Often being tagged under genres like power pop and slacker rock, the four-piece often rejects complex arrangements in favour of

Riding the wave of their successful appearance at Tramlines 2025 and their subsequent recent single Summertime , Sundress electrified the stage at their first headline show in Sheffield on January 30, 2026, accompanied with fellow South Yorkshire-based and shoegaze-centred supporting guests. The Mic’s Josh Holmes reports. Even before the announcement of their first ever headlining show, I was already well acquainted with Sheffield indie pop outfit Sundress. An excellent se

From October 29 to December 6, 2025, post-punk band Chameleons (previously The Chameleons) embarked on the European leg of their Arctic Moon album tour following the release of the tour’s eponymous album on September 12 the same year, with special guests including shoegaze pioneers The Veldt. The tour saw Chameleons dominating the stage at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham on November 17 after their most recent reformation revitalised the previously disbanded 80s band. The Mic’s Da

At just 19 years old, and despite his multiple degenerative issues, Jim E. Brown's surreal, satirical brand of indie jangle pop left a lasting impact on The Grove, highlighting that the digital sensation has built a subculture in the unlikeliest of ways. Liz Clarke reports. Having returned this year from a long hiatus, the first support act, Nottingham’s Burly Nagasaki , operate in an appropriately unique realm for a bill like this, with the fact that they have songs about t

For the penultimate night of the 2025 leg of their huge The Clearing world tour, Wolf Alice graced Nottingham's own Motorpoint Arena with a confidence and conviction which highlights exactly what makes them special and secures their position as part of a new generation of rock royalty. Liz Clarke reports. It’s always a little tough not to be sceptical when indie festival mainstays announce their first arena tours, even if their popularity has long proven them to be ready. The

With the success of their new album Reverie and their EP Hand Me Downs , Amble’s 2025 tour felt like a victory lap for the Irish folk band. Nowhere was this clearer than at their first ever gig at Sheffield’s Foundry, where the trio were greeted with a reception worthy of folk royalty. The Mic's Charlie Gadd reports. Cork-based band Maicín started off the night with a storming 30-minute set that took us through their post-punk catalogue. From jagged guitars to dreamlike syn

Billie Marten continues the UK leg of her Dog Eared tour with appearance at Rescue Rooms, Nottingham Returning to the venue she claims to be more familiar with than any other, Ripon-born singer songwriter Billie Marten has little to prove following the success of her 2025 full-length Dog Eared . Nevertheless, taking to the Rescue Rooms main stage (with Canadian folk artist Le Ren for support), Marten demonstrates her long-nurtured talent with a show that, whilst soothing for

Hockley Hustle returned this year with a line-up like no other. Creating a parallel universe in which each person could handcraft their own musical world for the day. As a newcomer to gigs, this festival was a masterful introduction. The diverse array of genres, electrifying performances, and salt–of-the-earth artists. The Mic’s Daniela Roux reports. Pretty Windows, The Angel Microbrewery: My committee and I took a leisurely walk to The Angel Microbrewery, desperate to escap

The city hosts numerous festivals across its many venues, offering a great way to experience its flourishing scene; Hockley Hustle being just one example. With over 40 venues taking part, and a mixture of music acts, drag artists, DJs, political speakers and more, Hockley Hustle is a vibrant celebration of Nottingham culture. The Mic's Sami De Jong reports. A performance that epitomises my experience was the much loved Nottingham punk band Cheap Dirty Horse . Frontman Finbar

Welly was back at Nottingham’s The Bodega for the second time this year. His self-deprecation is an extremely humble act, because there is no way that what Welly is experiencing right now is anything but a comeuppance. Having released their debut album “Big in the Suburbs” in March this year, the band is surrounded by an air of excitement and budding recognition. “They say you play the Bodega twice –once on the way up and... nice to see you again”, Welly quipped. The Mic's A

As Revolver frontman Mat Flint mentioned in my interview with him, any understanding of shoegaze as a genre needs to be prefaced by an...

Nottingham’s prolific Hockley Hustle returns this October, transforming the city into a vibrant scene of sound, rhythm, and consensus. For just £15, you’ll gain access to over 45 venues and more than 400 performances across Hockley and Sneinton. Whether you’re into jazz, hip hop, drag, indie riffs, or have never seen a 60-piece orchestra in-person – the 19th of October is a date to remember. The Mic's Daniela Roux reports. Beyond the glitz and noise, the festival lives and b

Beyoncé has returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with her Album of the Year and an 'act two' that has far surpassed fan’s (already) high expectations of this legend. On the 5th of June, Beyoncé opened both her London and International tour at the stadium; the Mic's Daniela Roux reports. Beyoncé Gisele Knowles Carter has proven herself to be the world’s most enigmatic artist, with a vocal and movement range that most could not replicate. From the age of 9, she has develop

Steadily rolling off the back of their first LP in eight years, Primal Scream are back to prove their soul- soaked grooves remain as...