Record Store Day 2015

From avid customers queuing since 4:30pm to Sleaford Mods taking over a cafe- it's just business as usual for RSD in Nottingham

The third Saturday in April. For some people it's just another day, whilst for others it's the culmination of many sleepless nights, endless speculation and a year's worth of savings. The third Saturday in April. AKA Record Store Day.

Last year my Record Store Day began at 4am as I joined the queue outside Nottingham's Music Exchange, hoping -just like the 20 or so people before me- to bag some of the day's limited releases. This year however, I was on the other side of the till.

I have been volunteering at The Music Exchange since last May, despite not having a paid job like every other 17 year old I know, I have one of the best. 

Arriving at the shop at 7:30am the queue already snaked around the corner. it might not be as big as last year's effort- there are 4 record shops taking part this year (The Music Exchange, Rough Trade, Plates and Pendulum) compared to 2 in 2014- but it's been here longer, with the first hardy vinyl junkie setting up camp at 4:30pm the day before- A TMX record.

The Arctic temperatures have done nothing to dampen the buzz surrounding the shop, and as the last few preparations are made the anticipation reaches fever pitch. Finally, at 8am sharp the doors open and pandemonium is ensured. It's not quite elbowing-your-gran chaos, but it's a far cry from the average Saturday shift.

Joy Division, Foo Fighters and Ride are among the first records to be snapped up, with Biffy Clyro and The Wombats following suite. Whilst the records are out there is a distinct lack of people idly buying masses destined to be sold on Ebay, although rumour has it a copy of Biffy Clyro's Puzzles, purchased elsewhere, has already made it onto the site. 

Another new addition to this year's RSD programme is a festival's worth of live music, held in Pico, customers were treated to a bank balance soothing acoustic set from Nottingham trio Kagoule, with fan favourite Adjust The Way given a tender make over, rendering it almost unrecognisable from the distortion-drenched original.     

Milky Whimpshake also made an appearance to the packed out crowd, as did Extddntwrk, the side project of local heros Sleaford Mod's Andrew Fearn.

it's a cliché used every year but 2015's Record Store Day has surely been one of the best. It's a testament to what an incredible music scene Nottingham has, even if you did wake up on Sunday morning with yet another Never Mind The Bollocks reissue and a banging overdraft. Same time again next year? You bet.  

LIVE// Peace

The Bodega Nottingham// 07/02/15

B-town boys spread their message of peace and happiness in Nottingham 

Tonight sees Peace take to The Bodega's tiny stage for the third time in what has effectively become a residency of sorts, in support of their forthcoming second album 'Happy People.' It's sold out - again, testament to the fact that they could be playing in venues much bigger than this,yet have taken to being holed in joints across the country for days at a time as a 'thankyou' to the fans who have waited patiently for them to finish writing the follow up to their debut 'In Love'.  

Opener Higher Than The Sun taken from that album sees that the fans - who've been queuing outside in the cold for hours- are thoroughly warmed up, before the band rip through an enthralling rendition of Follow Baby.

Happy People and Perfect Skin are the first of the new cuts to be given a live airing, the latter proving that the band haven't lost their ear for an indie anthem whilst they've been away. Money is next, and despite being released barely a year ago, still incites the kind of reaction you'd expect from a song ten times it's age. Whilst 1998 transforms the crowd into a heaving mass of bodies and flailing limbs, that looks as though it might burst at the seems at one more swirling blissed-out crescendo. 

The band re-take to the stage for Someday, which sees frontman Harry Koisser adopt an almost Jake Bugg-like croon, for a song that will undoubtedly soundtrack every indie-kid crush to come, before World Pleasure sees the band's set- and residency -culminate in Peace's trademark pizzazz.

Their time in Nottingham may have come to an end, but for Peace the tour is far from over, a date in the capital follows and then who knows? If the success of 'Happy People' thus far is anything to go by, it looks as though it won't be long before the world succumbs to their pleasure.

LIVE// Alvvays

The Bodega Nottingham// 26/01/15

Toronto five-piece bring big glasses and even bigger chorus' to Nottingham

When Alvvays take to the stage tonight you could argue that the hype surrounding them - and their eponymous debut album- is reaching stratospheric levels, yet the Toronto five-piece have their priorities set very much on the ground. Vocalist/guitarist Molly Rankin opens the band's set by asking for the best British chocolate bar, and the location of oldest pub in England - The Trip to Jerusalem. Whilst the bands status as one's to watch could afford them a slightly more whacky rider request, the resulting 3 minute blasts of indie-pop heaven certainly make up for it.

Next Of Kin opens with the sort of jangy-heavy guitar Johnny Marr would be jealous of, it's upbeat riffs hiding a darker lyrical side, as Rankin sings "If I'd known you couldn't swim we would never had gone in".

Archie, Marry Me- which appears surprisingly early in the set-  provides the first sing along of the night thanks to it's catchy vocal hooks. Atop A Cake keeps up the pace, before the band slow down proceeding with a euphoric run though of Party Police.

The band even manage to throw in a cover of Deerhunter B-side Nosebleed, which, when adorned with Molly's piercing vocals, could easily be passed off as their own. 

If tonight proves anything it's that whilst Alvvays arn't breaking the mould, when your indie anthems are as contagious as that, theres no need to. (Oh- and that Mars is the best chocolate bar.)