Gig Review: Bras N Roses – Billy Bootleggers. Nottingham

October 13, 2025 rocknews

Bras N Roses Live - Gig Review Nottingham

BRAS N ROSES LIVE: Beyond The Roast – An Appetite for Destruction on a Sunday Afternoon

At 3pm on a Sunday, most minds are preoccupied with carving the roast and tackling a towering Yorkshire pudding. Today, however, I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry for Yorkshire Puds, but I definitely had an Appetite for Destruction. Thanks to the explosive, all-female Guns N’ Roses tribute act, Bras N Roses Live, I got my fill of classic G N’ R rock!

Blasting away any trace of Sunday lethargy, the band proved that rock mayhem has no designated time slot. This fresh, explosive energy was delivered by Cal (Vocals), Nika (Lead Guitar), Clare (Rhythm Guitar), Keira (Bass), and Chris(Drums). They immediately locked into the core tracks from the legendary album, opening with the iconic “Welcome to the Jungle,” “It’s So Easy,” and the sleazy rhythm of “Mr. Brownstone.” The start was relentless, setting a ferocious pace that the audience eagerly matched, fueled by the driving rhythm section of Keira and Chris.

Bras N Roses Live : Stage Banter, Twerking, and Lip Filler: The Fun-Loving Chaos

What sets the Bras N Roses Live experience apart is their ability to blend musical precision with genuine, self-aware rock-and-roll fun. The mid-set banter was a highlight: the band dropped random ‘Terminator 2’ facts before launching into “You Could Be Mine,” a brilliantly quirky moment. Cal’s audience interaction was on point, too, with a humorous search for anyone named “Michael” or “Michelle” as a cheeky lead-in to “My Michelle.”

The most memorable, tongue-in-cheek moments came during the ballads. Cal’s candid admission of having “too much lip filler” led to Chris (Drums) having to handle the unmistakable whistling intro to “Patience.” This was immediately followed by a surprising, yet perfectly-fitting, burst of twerking during “Patience,” an anarchic update to the classic power ballad that perfectly encapsulated the band’s attitude.

Even the inevitable heckler was handled with rock-star flair. A bit of crowd banter prompted a response from bassist Keira who quipped, “If I was Axl, I’d have jumped off the stage and fought you!” She then rightly added that she was “more photogenic than a fighter,” and based on her strong stage presence, she’s certainly right.

Bras N Roses Live : Slash’s Spirit – A Guitar Masterclass

While the whole band was tight, the lead guitarist, Nika, truly channeled the spirit of a rock legend. Her playing was nothing short of clinical throughout the extensive set, her fingers a blur of motion as they “danced along the frets,” effortlessly ripping through some of rock’s most iconic riffs.

Rhythm guitarist Clare faced a brief technical issue, prompting the sound guy to ask her to turn her amp up. Without hesitation, Clare seized the moment, cranking the volume all the way up to 11 as she fired away at full force through the rest of the set, a true Spinal Tap moment that delighted the crowd.

For much of the gig, Nika was intensely focused, maintaining a straight-faced concentration that spoke to her dedication to the craft. Yet, during the gargantuan solo in “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” the true rock spirit broke through. She visibly loosened up, allowing the authentic ‘guitar faces’ to take over as she flawlessly navigated the winding, complex notes. It was a spectacular display of both technical skill and emotional rock energy.

Bras N Roses Live : An Epic Journey Through G N’ R’s Best

The setlist was a comprehensive masterclass, expertly mixing the raw energy of the debut with the sweeping epics and carefully chosen covers.

The full setlist for the Bras N Roses Live show included:

Welcome to the Jungle
It’s So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Live and Let Die
Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
My Michelle
Civil War
Patience
Don’t Cry
November Rain
Knocking on Heavens Door
Sweet Child o’ Mine
Night Train
Paradise City

The show built expertly, leading to a huge climax with the epic anthems. Though the grittier tracks were delivered with perfect sleaze, it was during the powerful and emotive ballads like “November Rain,” “Don’t Cry,” and “Patience”that Cal truly shone, proving her immense range and vocal power. The band signed off with the one-two punch of “Night Train” and the ultimate closing anthem, “Paradise City.”

For any fan of hard rock, the Bras N Roses Live experience is highly recommended. They are more than just a tribute: they’re a high-energy celebration that injects a refreshing new perspective into a timeless catalogue, delivered by the highly talented Cal, Nika, Clare, Keira, and Chris.