Free
live music. Whenever I hear those words I am immediately suspicious, is that
because I am part of the modern day cynicism that if something sounds too good
to be true it most likely is, or is it because I am harboring some childhood
trauma? Did I once attend a birthday party where a children’s entertainer sang
a rendition of Happy Birthday so badly that it destroyed my faith in all things
musically free. It could be either one or both of those things; all I know is I
had to get back on the horse, in a manner of speaking, reinstall my faith in
free music.
So
I surveyed the options in Nottingham for free live music, and there were
numerous, however I must be living in a cave or extremely ‘un-hip’ because I
knew none of the venues bar one; Rescue Rooms. I’d been there for the odd
drink, or blind stumble after hours of searching for the toilets in Stealth. In
regards to the latter point Rescue Rooms felt like an oasis after the blinding
strobe lights of Stealth and the throbbing music that feels like a serpent is
slowly constricting your mind. So I thought as a first foray back into the
world of free music, this would be the place to restore my faith in humanity,
as long as none of the performers were dressed as Chucky the Clown or sang
happy birthday.
Success
number one, it seemed that Chucky the Clown wasn’t in the building, I was
through that potential pitfall. Immediately it felt like a great venue to see
live music and acoustic music at that. It is a small intimate venue. It felts
like a cross between an uber trendy club and a traditional opulent venue. A
mish mash of styles is how I would describe the décor. Stag horned chandeliers
and a stag’s head behind the bar made it feel like something from game of
thrones, but funky artwork on the walls and old LP covers of bands gone by all
made it feel trendy and ‘cool’. Industrial lighting that ran along bare brick
walls gave a surprisingly warm feel to the place, which could have something to
do with the reddish glow that is achieved via the fairy lights lining the
ceiling. I was immediately in love with that, fairy lights are my major guilty
pleasure, I love them, I find they enhance a room no end.
I
seated myself in one of the booths lining the walls, upholstered in plush
leather, fitting in nicely with the stag horned chandeliers and opulence such a
thing will inevitably bring. The first couple of acts came on, singer songwriters,
all with a nervous air about them, happy to be in the spot light but nervous
about the crowd’s reaction. All the performances had their own charms, aided by
the atmosphere created by the venue. It has a warm and friendly feel which
relaxes the artist but eases the crowd into the evening, I often fear free
music nights or things of such an ilk can be for the pretentious, those who
spend more time posing than they do enjoying the evening and the music. Rescue
Rooms was not like this at all, it was the perfect place to go and chill with
your mates and have a few drinks and be treated to some free live music.
You
only need to look at the artists that previously played Monday’s nights at
Rescue Rooms to appreciate that it is an extremely good venue and the quality of
music you here there is of a high standard. Jake Bugg, Dog is dead and many
more have all started their steps into the world of music from that very
platform. My only criticism is perhaps the speakers are slightly too loud for
what is a chilled evening, often you must shout to the person next to you if
you wish to get heard. But then again I am somewhat of an old man, so that may
be something that normal people do not find an issue. I urge you though to cast
of any worries aside that it sounds too good to be true and go down and
experience it for yourself…Also I forgot to mention, you can get a pint for
£1.95.
