Dan Croll-Live Review at Bodega 24/3/14

"delicious pop nuggets not a well planned three-course meal"

A cold Monday in March saw Dan Croll return to Nottingham for the third time, and first time embracing the Bodega as a headliner. It’s a testament to Croll’s increased popularity over the last few months, to see as he takes to the stage, adoring fans fill the room wall-to-wall, awaiting the first summer tinged vibes we have come to associate with debut album “Sweet Disarray”. The crowd are willing but it’s not until “Thinkin Aboutchu’s” chorus that venue and Croll feel more comfortable with smiles peppering the chirpy organ that begins the first genuinely rhythmically movement from the crowd.

Simon Wilson, the Entertainment Editor for the Nottingham Post, has previously described the lack of national recognition for Nottingham’s home grown music as something that could not be more of an embarrassment for the city. However this could be all about to change, as the Guardian reported in a feature on Nottingham music last Friday (http://bit.ly/rpcXCS). With Nottingham sporting one of the best live music scenes in the country – coming in third behind Manchester and Newcastle and beating London which only ranked fifth, it seems Nottingham’s reputation can only grow.

For new students (or even old ones who have yet to explore the smorgasbord of live venues our city has to offer) there is plenty to discover. The Capital FM Arena is the largest venue, playing host to household names and high ticket prices with both Bob Dylan and Tinie Tempah (though unfortunately not together) appearing in the coming weeks. There are also many smaller venues such as the Maze on Mansfield Road where you can see ‘Glastonbudget’ auditions this Tuesday (Europe’s premier tribute act festival held in Leicestershire) and Oxjam on October 12th – Oxfam’s month long music festival whose proceeds go to support the charity.