Gig Review: The New Roses – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

23 September 2025 rocknews

German Rockers Prove They’re Arena-Ready with High-Octane Set and Timmy Rough’s Crowd Dive

The Rescue Rooms may only hold 450 people, but on Sunday night, September 21, 2025, it felt like a stadium. German rockers The New Roses rolled into Nottingham and delivered a set that proved why they’ve become one of Europe’s most talked-about live bands. This gig review dives into their electrifying performance, from blistering riffs to a crowd dive that turned the venue into a rock ‘n’ roll communion.

The Build-Up: From Stonedead Stealers to Rescue Rooms Royals

I first caught The New Roses a few weeks back at Stonedead Festival, where for me they stole the show as the best band of the day. But this was my first time seeing them headline a full set—and wow, they kept the energy cranked from start to finish. As Timmy Rough put it, “We’re a straight-up rock band, no backing tape.” He wasn’t wrong. If this band had been around in the 80s, they’d be filling arenas. Fans even traveled from Germany to be there—now that’s commitment. The crowd wasn’t just watching; they were part of the experience. The heat, the sweat, the call-and-response moments—it was obvious the band loves what they do, and the crowd loved them right back.

The Performance: Riffs, Ballads, and a Crowd-Diving Closer

The night kicked off with “Attracted to Danger”, setting the tone with high-octane riffs and gritty vocals that had the room pulsing. When it came time for the ballad “All I Ever Needed”, Timmy urged everyone to light up the room with phones and lighters, creating a glowing sea of lights. He shared how their label once wanted to cut the track because “the power ballad was dead.” Judging by the reaction, The New Roses proved just how alive it still is.

Halfway through, the band tore into a blistering cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” from the new album. It went down an absolute storm, with every voice in the room raised in unison. And then came one of the night’s standout moments—Timmy jumped off the stage, diving into the audience and making that personal connection between band and crowd, dishing out high-fives as he went. It was pure rock ‘n’ roll communion.

Timmy later explained that beyond the girls, the tours, and the wild nights, one of the main reasons they do this is to meet new people in new places—people who are just as ready to rock out as they are.

One unique touch was seeing Timmy step back at the start of certain songs, giving his bandmates the spotlight. Guitarist Norman Bites made the most of it, delivering a fiery solo laced with call-and-response interplay that had the crowd roaring. The man is a total axe man, with every move straight out of the rock playbook.

Stagecraft is half of what makes a great gig, and The New Roses have it nailed. Even when technical difficulties forced a 10-minute break near the end, the band rolled with it—fans grabbed beers, stretched their legs, and came back ready. The Roses returned full throttle with “This Heart”, proving that nothing could derail the night’s energy.

And of course, when it came to the encore, there could only be one closer: “Down by the River”. It’s a masterclass in songwriting, and in this packed, sweaty Nottingham room, the audience sang every word like their lives depended on it.

Verdict: The New Roses Are Unmissable Live

Verdict: If you haven’t discovered The New Roses yet, do yourself a favor—buy a CD, stream some tracks, or watch a live video. I guarantee you’ll find yourself in the audience next time they hit the UK.