Your guide to Nottingham’s most anticipated gigs in October

October. Madness, mayhem and, most importantly, music.

With spooky season on the horizon, Nottingham plays host to a variety of headliners guaranteed to leave you screaming. Whether it’s a rock and roll set to rattle your soul or a haunting acoustic set, Nottingham’s music scene promises to deliver a month packed full of supernatural sounds.

Becky Hill: 15th October at the Motorpoint Arena

It is the season of horror, whether that’s in the spooky sense or how the aftermath of freshers may have left you reeling over a toxic ex or a lame excuse of a situationship.

As the leaves change, what better way to celebrate this period of transformation than by attending Becky Hill’s #believemenow show at Motorpoint Arena to vanquish any lasting feelings of resentment?

Her electronic accompaniment refines her lyricism, incorporating both heartbreak and empowerment simultaneously to deliver an unforgettable performance, leaving you self-assured to block any unwanted attention.

James Bay: 16th October at Metronome

As his chart-topping hit “Hold Back the River” is celebrating its 10th anniversary, James Bay is set to grace the stage of the Metronome.

With nothing more than his haunting voice and trusted guitar, the acoustic performance gives his audience the unique opportunity to witness a musician and their art at their most vulnerable.

So if grieving a decomposed relationship is your priority this Halloween, accompanying James Bay to his poetic graveyard should be your top form of therapy.

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Blossoms: 23rd October at Rock City

With their instantly recognisable sound, Blossoms is set to deliver a night of synthetic sounds at Nottingham’s infamous Rock City. Emerging onto the musical scene in 2014 following their release of “You Pulled a Gun on Me”, Blossoms offer a unique funkadelic sound that accentuates their storytelling with atmospheric compliments to the likes of Oasis and Arctic Monkeys.

What better way to celebrate the start of Halloween than by attending one of the most talked-about gigs of the season?

MEGS (Hockley Hustle): 20th October at Bar 11

For those with a more underground preference, the annual Hockley Hustle is the perfect opportunity to discover local, upcoming artists. Ranging from hip-hop to spoken poetry, the charity-based organisation seldom disappoints and offers gigs across 50 venues.

With her soulful voice, MEGS should be at the top of your watchlist. Having delivered a bewitching presence on BBC Notts Introducing, MEGS proves her dreamy, honey-like vocals are a force to be reckoned with and not one to miss. Taking her place centre stage at Bar 11, MEGS is sure to leave her intimate audience in a state of celestial bliss.

Rites of Hadda (Hockley Hustle): 20th October at Billy Bootleggers

If a slightly more outrageous scene is more to your taste, Billy Bootleggers promises a night full of musical anarchy. Set to deliver a night full of “sax ‘n’ drag and rock ‘n’ roll”, Rites of Hadda is a London-based psychedelic punk rock band with a streak of witchcraft.

The band’s lyricism ranges from sociopolitical commentary to humorous matters of the everyday. If it’s entertainment you’re searching for, Rites of Hadda’s eccentric performance of music, glamour, and flamboyance will not disappoint.

The Libertines: 21st October at Rock City

If classic British rock is more your scene, The Libertines are set to headline Rock City later this month.

Their effervescent style commemorates the origins of the British indie-rock scene, building upon the legacies of the likes of Paul Weller, The Smiths and The Kooks.

Living up to the rockstar niche, The Libertines have had their dabble in controversies, but remain adamant that these incidents have only fuelled their creative style, releasing four successful albums over a span of 25 years.

So, if head-banging is your preferred taste, The Libertines are set to deliver one hell of a show.

Lacuna Coil: 24th October at Rock City

Since their formation in the depths of Milan, Italy back in 1994, Lacuna Coil has taken Europe by storm. The band’s gothic outlook has redefined heavy metal, interweaving a hybrid of alternative music styles within their storytelling engraving its reputation upon future rockstars.

Lacuna Coil’s current tour is set to stir up frenzied anticipation for the February 2025 release of its tenth studio album “Sleepless Empire”. Hosted by Rock City, (exactly a week before 31^st October) Lacuna Coil is the obvious choice to kick start the Halloween madness and the band’s delirious stage presence is sure to transcend your soul into another dimension.

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