Sunday 28th January 2024 - Monday 29th January 2024
Various Nottingham Venues, Nottingham
Doors at 13:00
Nottingham’s annual charity music festival Beat The Streets aims to bring the community together to battle homelessness and raise vital funds for Framework.
The festival, which showcases both nationally renowned artists and local heroes, takes place across multiple venues in Nottingham's city centre, bringing together music lovers from across the city and beyond for a day of fundraising.
Split across 8 stages, the DHP Group had amassed an impressive line-up throughout the day with some bigger acts appearing earlier to stagger the crowds. Me and a mini entourage sadly missed the triple trouble of hip-hop talent that was VVV owing to my delayed ordering of a full veggie roast at the Angel pub. This resulted in tramming it back across town after excessive potato intake. The first band of the day were Crosa Rosa in a very rammed Rock City basement. Without witnessing much other than flailling hair and a frantic lightshow I was no doubt blown away by some mighty beefy riffage and would have loved an early doors mosh were it not for the static crowd. Beating an early exit on account of securing a prime viewing spot for the Sleaford Mods upstairs on the balcony front and centre. Jason Williamson certainly didn't disappoint and held a packed audience in rapture at his ranting, incisive critique of life in modern-day austerity Britain. I was mesmerized by his stage presence and shuffling, nervous tick-like movements. He was like a cross between a young Ian Dury and a semi-retired clown in pyjamas having escaped a mental facility. He became very humble at the end as he thanked everyone for digging deep and upon chanting 'Jobseeker's refrain of 'Come On!' I've never felt more proud of my home city. Me and a friend later met a French couple from Nant in Southern France who came over mostly just for the Mods so they're clearly making major waves across the Channel as well as helping Europeans understand raspy, expletive-riddled Midlands dialect! Singer songwriter Stacey McMullen was up next in Rescue Rooms' Red Room who effortlessly veered between original blues roots, flamenco epics, murder balladry and a cover of Killing in the Name Of. With a haunting voice and obvious guitar chops, I seriously recommend you check him out as a deserved rising star of the scene. Back on Rock City's main stage Ferocious Dog got everyone jigging, drinking and cheering in full fettle. Babe Punch followed with some superbly disco-spangled stage attire to match their versions of Abba's S.O.S and Chris Isaak's Wicked Game. Their vocalist can really wail and their many gigs on the circuit have clearly resulted in a tight, groovy band dynamic. I was also really taken with Super Furniture who have some excellent songcraft, not to mention their cover of the Arthur TV series theme song duly appreciated by a kid of the 90s like myself. Judging by our surroundings in RC basement, they also seem a hit with the younger ladies so watch out guys! We moseyed over to Rescue Rooms main stage for the almighty Lawnmower Deth who've been touring since before Super Furniture were even born. With hilarious song lyrics and some hilariously short, the singer entertained as giant balloons bounced around a delighted crowd regressing to a state of young childhood other than the Danish lager in their hand. The skanktastic majesty of Unknown Era didn't take long to get Rock City's main room bouncing around with their brass and hyper-energetic members. Gaz & co at the Maze already do so much for this city's music so to see them getting so much back from the crowd was heartwarming. Upstairs at Stealth, Kid Luna spun some minimal electro-house bangers and we danced like loons in various degrees of cosmic silver clothing. To close the night in style, the full ensemble of Invisible Orchestra were sweeping and awe-inspiringly cinematic. Everyone left very happily at the thought of an excellent day's entertainment all for a really important cause. Bravo Framework and DHP!
Posted by Swifty P on 30/01/2018
Beat The Streets, Various Nottingham Venues, Nottingham - 28th January 2018
With the Tories being in power for so long and dedicated to austerity, the problem of homelessness has ripped through the UK with many falling through the cracks as the safety net protecting the public and the most vulnerable is thrown away. Nottingham has been particularly hit hard and has seen a significant rise in the number of people sleeping rough. Beat The Streets was a great way to address a problem by raising funds and awareness in aid of those worst effected - however a solution will need to come from a commitment of protection, care and resources from central and local government. The day festival featured many notable Nottingham local celebs such as Sleaford Mods, Kagoule, Jimi Mack, Eyre Llew and Stereopium appearing at such iconic venues as Rock City, Rescue Rooms, The Bodega/The Social and Rough Trade Nottingham. Also, massive thanks to Gigantic who made it easy to book for the show - always my first choice for gig tickets!!
Posted by Jimi A on 30/01/2018
Beat The Streets, Various Nottingham Venues, Nottingham - 28th January 2018
