What's On · the East Midlands
What's On in Nottingham
Live music in Nottingham over the next four weeks — 20 Sept – 18 Oct. 66 gigs listed in Nottingham over the next 28 days across 10 venues. Friday is the busiest night with 18. In total we track 58 grassroots venues and 32 regular open mics here.
Two pubs a day are closing, and last year 78 grassroots venues stopped putting on live music. Get Nottingham gigs in your inbox — and go to one.
Help keep grassroots venues open in Nottingham
—A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Nottingham. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.
Updated daily · 66 gigs in Nottingham over the next four weeks
Last updated: 20 September 2026
Support grassroots music in Nottingham
Grassroots venues are where every act you have ever paid to see started out. Nottingham still has 58 of them.
From Hockley to the Lace Market, Nottingham's music scene is one of the Midlands' best-kept secrets. Planning a private party instead? See [booking live entertainment in Nottingham](/gigs/live-entertainment-nottingham) for bands, singers and DJs for one-off occasions. Booking for the company rather than yourself? See [corporate entertainment in Nottingham](/gigs/corporate-entertainment-nottingham) for Christmas parties, awards nights and conferences.
Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them shut for good. Those are the rooms where new acts learn to hold an audience, where a first support slot happens, and where a Tuesday night can still turn into something.
This page exists to make them easy to find. It lists 66 gigs across Nottingham over the next four weeks, pulled from the venues themselves and updated daily — alongside the 58 grassroots venues and 32 regular open mic nights we track in the city. No algorithm decides what you see: it is simply everything we know is on.
The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before. If you would rather be told than remember, the sign-up above sends Nottingham listings straight to your inbox. If you run a venue here, claim your page so people can find you.
Gigs in Nottingham
Every grassroots gig we hold for Nottingham in the next four weeks — 20 Sept – 18 Oct. Updated daily.
Showing 24 of 66 gigs · page 1 of 3
SEPT
20
Prehistoric Sounds Presents: The Complaint That Creeps + More
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreCountry
View details›
SEPT
20
Liam Bailey
Nottingham Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
SEPT
21
Roddy Radiation (The Specials) + The Skabilly's Live @ Billy's
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Ska
View details›
SEPT
22
The Telescopes - Live @ Billyu's 7Upstairs Birthday Celebrations
Billy Bootleggers Bar·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
SEPT
22
The Telescopes - Live @ Billy's 7Upstairs Birthday Celebrations
Billy Bootleggers Bar·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
SEPT
23
Good Kid, Last Dinosaurs
The Palais, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock, Pop
View details›
SEPT
23
Sweets - Live @ Billy's 7Upstairs Birthday Celebrations
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreIndie Rock, Hip-Hop
View details›
SEPT
23
A Musical Open Jam Night - Open To All
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
24
Nigel Clark (Dodgy) & Chris Helme (The Seahorses) + Leah Wilcox
Billy Bootleggers Bar·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
25
Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey, Blancmange
Rock City, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
SEPT
25
Hostile Takeover Ep.1
Lace Bar Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
25
Hostile Takeover Episode 1
Lace Bar Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
25
ABBA Tribute Band Sensation
Ravenshead Village Hall·Newstead Abbey, Nottingham
- Entry£15.00
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreTribute Act
View details›
SEPT
25
Grey Disco - Live @ Billy's (UPSTAIRS)
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenrePop
View details›
SEPT
25
Louis Louis Louis
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
26
Day Fever
Rock City·Hyson Green & Arboretum, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreDJ / Electronic
View details›
SEPT
26
Lil Roosters
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
26
Mangata Music presents Downswing (US)
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreMetal, Swing
View details›
SEPT
26
The Phil Ashmore Band - Live @ Billy's
Billy Bootleggers Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Blues, Country
View details›
SEPT
26
Nashville Nights Nottingham
Red Dog Saloon Nottingham·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreCountry
View details›
SEPT
27
Fell Out Boy & Black Charade | Binks Yard
Binks Yard·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
27
The Restarts, Agrotoxico + Pound Of Flesh - Live @ Billy's
Billy Bootleggers Bar·Castle, Nottingham
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
SEPT
27
The Surfrajettes
The Old Cold Store, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock
View details›
SEPT
27
The Surfrajettes
The Old Cold Store At Castle Rock Brewery·Meadows, Nottingham
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
Venues in Nottingham
Where live music actually happens in Nottingham.
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Princess River Cruises
River cruise boat with swing, soul and funk.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon09:00–17:00
- Tue09:00–17:00
- Wed09:00–17:00
- Thu09:00–17:00
- Fri09:00–17:00
- Sat10:00–14:00
- Sun10:00–12:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Ravensdale
Live entertainment and open mic nights in Mansfield
Backline2 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- 2 vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–23:00
- Tue12:00–23:00
- Wed12:00–23:00
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–00:00
- Sat12:00–00:00
- Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Red Dog Saloon Nottingham
American BBQ smokehouse on Victoria Street with a stage and weekly Nashville Nights
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–22:30
- Tue12:00–22:30
- Wed12:00–22:30
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–23:30
- Sat09:00–23:30
- Sun09:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Rescue Rooms
Nottingham's Tuesday-night free open mic at 25 Goldsmith Street, NG1 5JT — iconic music venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 10-minute slots.
Backline6 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- 3 vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- MonClosed
- Tue21:00–03:00
- Wed17:00–00:00
- ThuClosed
- Fri17:00–03:00
- Sat15:00–03:00
- SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Rock City
Talbot Street rock institution, 2,000 cap.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- Wed22:00–03:00
- Thu22:00–03:00
- Fri22:00–03:00
- Sat22:00–03:00
- SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Rough Trade Nottingham
250-cap record shop with live in-stores.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon10:00–19:00
- Tue10:00–19:00
- Wed10:00–19:00
- Thu10:00–19:00
- Fri10:00–19:00
- Sat10:00–19:00
- Sun11:00–17:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Nottingham's premier rock and pop concert hall.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon10:00–20:00
- Tue10:00–20:00
- Wed10:00–20:00
- Thu10:00–20:00
- Fri10:00–20:00
- Sat10:00–20:00
- SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Running Horse Live
Iconic Nottingham blues and rock venue with Thursday open mic.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- WedClosed
- ThuClosed
- Fri17:00–00:00
- Sat17:00–00:00
- SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Saltbox - Live Music, Bar & Kitchen
Nottingham live-music venue, bar and kitchen at Bolero Square.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times—
- Mon—
- Tue—
- Wed—
- Thu—
- Fri—
- Sat—
- Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Secret Vault Nottingham
Hidden Nottingham events space.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times—
- Mon—
- Tue—
- Wed—
- Thu—
- Fri—
- Sat—
- Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
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The Angel Microbrewery
Nottingham microbrewery with live music.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–01:00
- Tue12:00–01:00
- Wed12:00–01:00
- Thu12:00–01:00
- Fri12:00–01:00
- Sat12:00–01:00
- Sun12:00–01:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Beeston Social
Beeston social bar with food and events.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon11:30–23:00
- Tue11:30–23:00
- Wed11:30–23:00
- Thu11:30–23:00
- Fri11:30–02:00
- Sat10:00–02:00
- Sun10:00–19:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Bierkeller
City Centre's thursday-night free open mic at The Bierkeller — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Backline4 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- WedClosed
- Thu16:00–00:30
- Fri12:00–02:00
- Sat12:00–02:00
- Sun12:00–00:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Black Market Venue
Independent grassroots rock and metal venue.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- MonClosed
- Tue17:00–23:00
- Wed17:00–23:00
- Thu17:00–23:00
- Fri15:00–00:00
- Sat12:00–00:00
- Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Bodega
Nottingham's Tuesday-night free open mic at 23 Pelham Street, NG1 2EG — long-running indie venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Backline6 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- 3 vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon16:00–01:00
- Tue16:00–01:00
- Wed16:00–03:00
- Thu16:00–01:00
- Fri16:00–03:00
- Sat16:00–03:00
- Sun16:00–01:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Brown Cow
Real-ale pub with Saturday bands and Sunday acoustic sessions.
Backline2 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- 2 vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon16:00–21:00
- Tue16:00–21:00
- Wed15:00–23:00
- Thu15:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–23:00
- Sat12:00–23:00
- Sun12:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Canalhouse
Nottingham canalside pub with live Thursday sessions and open mic nights.
Backline3 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- 2 vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon11:00–23:00
- Tue11:00–23:00
- Wed11:00–23:00
- Thu11:00–23:00
- Fri11:00–00:00
- Sat11:00–00:00
- Sun11:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Chapel, The Angel Microbrewery
Live room inside a Grade II-listed Lace Market pub & microbrewery
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–23:00
- Tue12:00–23:00
- Wed12:00–23:00
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–03:00
- Sat12:00–03:00
- Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Crow
Nottingham craft-beer and vegetarian alehouse on Friar Lane with Wednesday open mic.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon13:00–22:00
- Tue13:00–23:00
- Wed13:00–23:00
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri11:00–23:00
- Sat11:00–23:00
- Sun11:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Lion at Basford
Basford pub with cask, keg and live music.
Backline4 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–23:00
- Tue12:00–23:00
- Wed12:00–23:00
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–00:00
- Sat12:00–00:00
- Sun12:00–22:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Malt Shovel
Beeston's friendly Malt Shovel — Sunday open mic (free drink per performer) and live local bands every other Saturday.
Backline1 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon12:00–23:00
- Tue12:00–23:00
- Wed12:00–23:00
- Thu12:00–23:00
- Fri12:00–00:00
- Sat12:00–00:00
- Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Mist Rolling Inn
Nottingham pub with metal live music.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times7 of 7
- Mon18:00–23:00
- Tue18:00–00:00
- Wed18:00–00:00
- Thu18:00–00:00
- Fri18:00–02:00
- Sat15:00–02:00
- Sun15:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Nest
Notts County FC venue with pop and DJ.
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times—
- Mon—
- Tue—
- Wed—
- Thu—
- Fri—
- Sat—
- Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Old Cold Store At Castle Rock Brewery
Industrial live-music room inside Nottingham's Castle Rock Brewery
Backline0 of 7
- PA system
- Drum kit
- Guitar amp
- Bass amp
- Keys / keyboard
- Vocal mics
- In-house engineer
Opening times—
- Mon—
- Tue—
- Wed—
- Thu—
- Fri—
- Sat—
- Sun—
View venue›
Open mics in Nottingham
Turn up, put your name down, play. Most are free.
EVERY
Wed
Nottingham Writers' Studio
Nottingham, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots12 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic
View details›
EVERY
Wed
Running Horse Live
Radford, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots10 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic
View details›
EVERY
Thu
The Lion at Basford
New Basford, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots15 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- BacklineFull
- Open tomusic
View details›
Canalside · folk leaning
EVERY
Thu
The Canalhouse
City Centre, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots12 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic, folk
View details›
Popular Thursday
EVERY
Thu
The Bierkeller
City Centre, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots15 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic, comedy, poetry
View details›
EVERY
Thu
The Tap & Tumbler
City Centre, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots12 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- BacklineFull
- Open tomusic
View details›
2-WK
Thu
Johnson Arms
Dunkirk, Nottingham
- Sign-up19:30
- Slots12 min
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic
View details›
MONTH
Thu
Cross Keys
Nottingham, Nottingham
- Sign-up—
- Slots—
- EntryFree
- PAProvided
- Backline—
- Open tomusic
View details›
What's on in Nottingham — FAQs
Common questions about live music in Nottingham, answered with this week's live data.
We currently list 66 gigs in Nottingham between 20 Sept and 18 Oct, across 10 venues. The listings above are the full set, sorted by date and refreshed daily from the venues themselves — no algorithm decides what you see. For everything beyond this window, browse the Nottingham gig directory or every city we cover.
None of the Nottingham gigs currently listed are marked free entry, though many venues do not publish a price at all. Nottingham open mic nights are your reliable free option — most charge nothing to watch or to play.
Friday, with 18 gigs listed across the next 28 days. Friday: 18 gigs · Saturday: 15 gigs · Sunday: 9 gigs. Filter by This week or This weekend above to narrow it down.
Right now: 7e2423b4-8100-4c3e-b276-6e85e0e63935, b96fbc23-c77c-4294-acf3-304d9528d1bb, 0b26fd53-52aa-4ac2-81b0-c6761608ddf4. In total we track 58 grassroots venues in Nottingham, of which 10 have something listed in this window. Capacity, backline and opening times for each are on the Nottingham venue directory.
Nottingham has 32 regular open mic nights that we verify on a rolling cycle. Each listing carries the sign-up time, slot length, entry fee and whether a PA and backline are provided — see the Nottingham open mic finder, or the UK-wide finder.
Where a Nottingham venue publishes a price, the average ticket is £19.50. Grassroots entry is typically a few pounds on the door, and many nights are free. On the other side of the transaction, the Musicians' Union publishes national gig rates as the recognised floor for live engagements, and the ISM publishes guidance for self-employed musicians. Our own UK gig rate benchmarks show what artists are actually being paid by region and act type.
Grassroots rooms are where every act you have paid to see learned to hold an audience. Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them for good. Nottingham still has 58 on our list. Music Venue Trust campaigns for them nationally; venues themselves navigate PRS licensing and local authority licensing to keep putting music on. The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up and buy a drink at the bar.
Listing is free and takes about two minutes — submit through the Nottingham gig directory and it is verified within 48 hours. No account is needed and there is no listing fee. If you run a venue here, claim your venue page to keep its capacity, backline and contact details current. Promoters and venues booking acts can also post paid work or find artists directly.
Go to one this month
66 gigs listed in Nottingham over the next four weeks, across 58 grassroots venues and 32 open mic nights. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before — it is the single most useful thing anyone can do for a room like these.
Help keep grassroots venues open in Nottingham
—A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Nottingham. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.