Around the UK in 80 Venues: Nottingham Rock City

Posted on Oct 30th 2009 11:15AM by Spinner Staff
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Location: 8 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GG.

Website: http://www.rock-city.co.uk/

Capacity: 1,900.

Come to see: As its name suggests this venue welcomes rockers of all descriptions from the seriously aging and legendary, to the alternative and emo varieties. Aside from the obligatory axe-crunching action the music
policy takes in pretty much all styles. Here you'll find chart stars and synth gods alongside big-name indie kids and the odd ska and punk legend. There is also a legendary student night on a Thursday, an Eighties night and of course loud and heavy rock club nights.

The atmosphere: In a 2004 review of the venue for the BBC, Nottingham resident Chris Regan describes the Rock City experience as, "A bit dirty; you're likely to get sweaty. You may even end up smelling a tad strange
afterwards." He also mentions the venue's famed "sticky carpets" and says that the place is a, "vibrant, diverse venue that caters for people of many musical and follicular persuasion," and that it "can be damn fun too."

You saw them here first: The Rock City was scheduled to open at the beginning of December in 1980 with New Wave of British Heavy Metal rising stars Iron Maiden scheduled to play the opening night. A week of gigs was to follow with shows by the Human League, mod revivalists the Lambrettas and the Climax Blues Band. In the end all four shows were cancelled due to late finishing electrical works and the venue didn't open until Thursday Dec. 11. Which band finally got the honour of christening the stage? It was Northern Irish punk legends the Undertones. The second night featured Welsh rock 'n' roller Shakin' Stevens, then a major UK chart star. Slightly against type the venue's 2004 Christmas party featured Girls Aloud.

Claim to fame: Hip hop legends Public Enemy played the Rock City for the first time in 1987 and the gig has since been named as the '40th most important event in music history'. The reason? It was the first time the rap collective had ever played the incendiary 'Bring the Noise' live.

You should also know: The venue that became the Rock City was once a bakery and later a cabaret venue called The Heart of the Midlands that put on variety shows and chicken-in-a-basket meals for mums and dads. It was on its last legs when the team behind the Rock City came in and bought the place.

Booking now: Billy Talent, Magnum, Biffy Clyro, Saxon & Anvil, Just Jack, Seth Lakeman, Alabama 3, The Mission District, La Roux, Slayer, The Specials, White Lies, Gary Numan, Shed Seven, Babyshambles.