Music

Nottingham venue guide: the best local music and comedy clubs

Notttingham is arguably the coolest city in the UK. Shopping, live music, pubs, clubbing, theatre, castles… TRAMS! Oh, and how about those caves?

It’s a pretty great place to live. So whether you’re a local or a newbie, here’s a (by no means exhaustive) list of some of the top stuff going on this autumn/winter.

Rock City

Where: 8 Talbot St, Nottingham, NG1 5GG

Why: Well, for starters, it’s the UK’s best independent live venue and club – officially! That’s really not an exaggeration. Iconic is an understatement. Nirvana have played there. Oasis have played there. The Ramones have played there. Must we go on?

Who: You could set up camp centre stage from now until Christmas and not be disappointed. Want specifics? The Wombats, Sleaford Mods, Cradle of Filth, Hot Chip, The Cribs, Jess Glynne, Frank Turner, The Kooks, Maximo Park, The Cribs, Shed Seven, Idlewild. We could keep going but you probably get the idea…

Capital FM Arena

Where: Bolero Square, Nottingham, NG1 1LA

Why: If large-scale shows are more your thing, then the arena is the place to find the biggest touring acts, right in the middle of the Lace Market.

Who: You won’t be disappointed this autumn/winter, with Imagine Dragons, The Vaccines, The Prodigy, Dynamo, Alt-J, Def Leppard and Whitesnake..and more!

Rescue Rooms

Where: 25 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JT

Why: A perfectly formed small venue, intimate but not cramped. It’s an essential Notts music  experience – happy hours, club nights and great gigs of every genre under the sun.

Who: You can look forward to Coasts, Young Guns, Cast, We Are the Ocean, Stormzy, Krept and Konan, Amber Run and so many more later this year.

Glee Club

Where: Waterways Building, Castle Wharf Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7EH

Why: Because there’s nothing better than some LOLZ with a few pints, in a beautiful building on the canal front.

Who: Joe Lycett, Daniel Sloss, Patrick Kielty, Ezra Furman.

Tell us your favourite venue in Nottingham over at @TicketmasterUK.