Gig Review: The Feeling – Rock City Nottingham 2026
Live Review: The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 – A Masterclass in Brit-Pop Nostalgia
There is a specific kind of magic that occurs when a band inextricably linked to the peak of the 2000s indie-pop rock explosion steps onto the hallowed stage of Talbot Street. On Monday night, the Nottingham faithful gathered for a collective masterclass in melody, sophisticated arrangements, and unadulterated sunshine-pop.
The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 tour date served as a 20th-anniversary celebration of their seminal debut, Twelve Stops and Home. In a world of fleeting trends, the band proved that world-class songwriting and genuine musicianship never truly go out of fashion.
Sandi Thom: A Soulful Warm-Up
The evening’s musical journey began with a stellar support set by Sandi Thom. Stepping onto the stage armed with her signature harmonica and a voice that has lost none of its soulful grit, she warmed the room perfectly.
There is a raw, organic quality to Sandi’s performance that commanded the attention of the early arrivals, bridging the gap between the intimate folk-rock of her roots and the grander energy of a packed venue. Of course, the opening chords of “I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)” elicited the first massive singalong of the night.
It was a nostalgic moment that rippled through the crowd and set the tone for the evening. However, it was her newer, bluesier material that truly showcased her evolution as an artist. These deeper, more textured tracks allowed her vocal range to shine, proving that she remains a formidable force in the British live circuit. By the time she took her final bow, the room was buzzing.
The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026: The Main Event
As the house lights finally cut and the opening chords of “Want You Now” rang out, Dan Gillespie Sells and company took to the stage with effortless charisma. This was the start of The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 experience that fans had been waiting months for.
Dan’s vocals remain remarkably pristine—capable of hitting those soaring, Freddie Mercury-esque heights without ever sounding strained. It set a high bar for the evening that the band cleared with ease. The air inside the building was thick with anticipation, and it quickly became clear that this was to be more than a simple run-through of the hits.
The setlist was a surgical strike of nostalgia and technical proficiency, structured to honour the history of their debut while keeping the momentum of a modern rock show. The energy surged early with “Never Be Lonely” and “Fill My Little World.” —
Proper Pop and British Sensibilities
It’s easy to forget just how ubiquitous these songs were in 2006, but hearing them live in 2026, the craftsmanship is undeniable. The band’s signature “proper pop” sound—heavily influenced by the likes of Supertramp, 10cc, and ELO—filled the room with a richness that few modern acts can replicate.
Richard Jones’s melodic, McCartney-esque basslines provided the perfect foundation for Kevin Jeremiah’s shimmering guitars and Ciaran Jeremiah’s lush, vintage keyboard textures. A particular highlight was “Kettles On,” a track often overshadowed by the bigger radio singles.
It served as a reminder of the band’s ability to write with a distinctly British sensibility. Delivering a song about the domestic and the familiar with such grandiosity felt right at home under the rafters. It reminded the audience that The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 tour isn’t just about the chart-toppers, but the deep cuts that defined an era.
From V Festival Memories to Nottingham Rafters
As the lights dimmed to a moody deep blue, the band began the haunting, percussive intro to “Sewn.” For many in the room, this wasn’t just another song; it was a cultural touchstone. Dan took a moment to look out at the crowd, his face lit with a nostalgic grin, reminiscing about the early days of their meteoric rise.
He spoke warmly about the experience of performing that very song at V Festival all those years ago. He recalled looking out at a massive sea of people in the sun and hearing every single word sang back to them at the top of their lungs. He noted how that specific moment changed everything for the band.
He admitted it was overwhelming to be standing here during The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 tour date, twenty years later, and hear the crowd doing the exact same thing with just as much passion. Indeed, when the chorus hit, the “V Festival spirit” was alive and well. There is something uniquely potent about the way “Sewn” resonates—it’s a song of yearning and complexity disguised as a pop hit.
High-Octane Percussion: The Helicopter Moment
The technical prowess of the band was on full display during a particularly high-octane rendition of “Helicopter.” The track’s driving, propulsive rhythm already had the floor bouncing, but the band kept the momentum shifting by breaking into a tight, punchy drum solo in the middle of the song.
Paul Stewart, the rhythmic engine of the band, was given a moment to shine. This wasn’t an over-indulgent display; it was a short, sharp burst of percussive energy that served to ramp up the tension before the band crashed back into the final chorus.
It was a brilliant dynamic shift that highlighted the band’s live rock credentials without breaking the flow of the pop-perfection they are known for. It was a subtle nod to the venue’s rock heritage and a testament to how tight this unit remains. This level of musicianship is exactly why The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 was a must-see event on this year’s calendar.
Euphoria with “Love It When You Call”
Just as the evening reached its crescendo, the band launched into the unmistakable, driving intro of “Love It When You Call.” This was the moment the night shifted into a full-blown riot of joy.
Seeing two thousand people in Nottingham shouting the chorus back at the stage was a visceral reminder of why live music remains essential. It was the peak of the main set—a frantic explosion of power-pop that saw Dan Gillespie Sells stalking the stage with theatrical flair.
This energy carried through to the performance of “Blue Piccadilly” leading into “Miss You (Sparkly).” The latter is a cult fan favourite, performed tonight with an infectious joy that saw the band members grinning at each other like teenagers in a garage.
A Surprise Announcement: “Still You Want More”
After a few minutes of rhythmic foot-stomping and chants of “One more song!” that shook the foundation of the building, the band returned for an encore that contained the biggest news of the night. Following a high-energy performance of “Thought It Was Over,” Dan took a moment to make an official announcement.
The band revealed they will be releasing “Still You Want More” as a brand-new single this coming May. Ironically, as Dan explained, the track was written and recorded during the original Twelve Stops and Home sessions two decades ago but never quite made the final cut for the album.
Hearing it during The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 set, it feels like a lost classic. It perfectly captures that 2006 magic while sounding remarkably fresh. The crowd embraced it as if it had been a staple for years, a testament to the consistency of their songwriting during that golden era.
Closing a Legendary Night
The night concluded with a joyous cover of The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which turned into a full-venue karaoke session. This was followed by the titular track from their second album, “Join With Us.” It served as the perfect closer—a communal anthem that invited every person in the room to be part of the family one last time. In an era of cynical indie-rock, the band remains a refreshing, shimmering anomaly. They embrace the “pop” label with immense pride, delivering songs that are unashamedly big, bright, and beautiful.
The Feeling Rock City Nottingham 2026 was a trip down memory lane; and a testament to the longevity of well-written melodies and the power of a band that knows exactly how to make their audience feel utterly fantastic. With the news of the “lost” single arriving in May, it’s clear that the story of Twelve Stops and Home isn’t quite finished yet.
If you have the chance to catch the rest of this 20th-anniversary tour, do not hesitate. In a world that can often feel quite grey, we all need a little bit of this magic in our lives.
READ MORE….
