If Nottingham's cultural identity is too readily (and lazily) thought to begin and end with Robin Hood then it is surely not going to stay that way for long. The city has long been forging its own newer sense of self around the music that is made by its inhabitants. The trio of Rock City, The Social and The Rescue Rooms is fast making the city a nationally regarded centre for live music and, as part of their mission, they are playing host to local acts looking to attain more national prominence.
 | | The Atoms (Photo: Jon Rouston) |
The LeftLion gig is a five band line up united by their love of a good party and a close connection to the city. The bill is a steady but varied build up of cheer and musical intensity. The Atoms Opening act The Atoms are a three member three chord rock act with none of the cliche that implies. Their brand of rock is cheeky and mildly ill tempered, but primarily they are concerned with laughter. The taboo baiting 'Ow ow ow ow ow' is set to be an anthem, although you might need to be brave to sing it. Weeble
 | | Weeble |
Weeble are an old time party band, of a type which is now few and far between. They represent an undoubted highlight for the evening, filling the stage with their enormous line up and massive swinging music. Jolly is a term one is reluctant to use in reference to modern music but anything else risks neglecting the energy and delight that surrounds this band. If anyone is rightful heir to the legacy of Robin Hood's Merry Men then it is probably Weeble, who practically insist on the cohesion of the entire room and ensure that everyone is moving. With a singer who makes frontman-ship into an art, and a brass section that makes up nearly half the group, nobody is left to stand still and stroke their chins. Lo-Ego, Grain and The Hellset Orchestra
 | | Lo-Ego (Photo: Jon Rouston) |
Lo-Ego are like a post-rock pit stop and take the night in an entirely different direction for their set, which is made up of haunting and slow burning guitar lines before the party is re-instated for the Kung-Fu Hillbilly Funk of Grain and cut and paste jazz mix up of The Hellset Orchestra. Nottingham's music scene is in rude health and next time the good people of LeftLion take its pulse you could do worse than come along for the check up. | 
