Haim / Motorpoint Arena / Nottingham

Jul 25

Jul 25 Haim / Motorpoint Arena / Nottingham

I was in too minds to go or not…. Not because of the music, but as Tuesday 19 July was the hottest day on record in Nottingham, with temperatures late afternoon reaching 40, I just knew the car would be far far worse to climb into….. Braving the excessive heat I headed in to Nottingham and the Motorpoint Arena. Ahhh with the ice pad under foot and the air con on, BLISS ! Mind you, the comfort didn’t last, as the large crowd descended on the venue, the temperature rose !

First up, we were entertained by a set from Georgia Barnes, better known as Georgia. A nominee for the 2020 NME “Best British Song” and “Best Song in the World” for her album “About Work The Dancefloor”, and also for the 2020 Mercury Prize. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Georgia took to the stage with a frame mounted electronic drum kit, synth and rhythm composer. It could easily feel out of place in such a large venue, but Georgia is an effervescent performer, and moves around effortlessly, energetically banging the drums and sprinting out to the front of the stage to engage with the crowd. Delivering a set of electro-pop / synthpop dance music Georgia was thoroughly entertaining.

The temperature was definitely rising now. Credit to the Arena and their staff who were excellent all night, re-usable drinks bottles were allowed in, and free top ups ‘on tap’ (excuse the pun) all night, and the staff int eh pit constantly handing out cups of water to those at the front. The stage set was simple but really effective, with a huge scaffolding frame at the back of the stage with a simple white screen over it and lighting racks positioned at intervals either side of the stage. Simple but really effective, and despite being a 10,000+ seat arena it somehow felt a much more intimate and personal gig experience.

And then it was time for Haim to join us on stage. Haim, (which is Hebrew for life) are an American pop rock band hailing from Los Angeles and consisting of three sisters, Este (bass guitar and vocals), Danielle (lead vocals, guitar, and drums), and Alana Haim (guitars, keyboards, and vocals). However all three are talented multi-instrumentalists.

From the darkness each ran on to stage in turn, first up Danielle who took up her Gibson SG and starting a guitar line, as Este joined and took up her Fender Precision bass, before finally Alana joined on the keyboards and they launched into the opening track Now I’m In It.

Almost all of the set tonight was from their excellent latest album “Women In Music: Pt. III” from 2020, the tour having been, like so many others… postponed. However despite this, and the excess heat it was great to see a near sold out arena.

It’s fair to say (and probably not a great surprise, being sisters an’ all) but their chemistry on stage is excellent. They also have a great repour with the crowd. No doubt well rehearsed it never comes over as staged and has a genuine nature to it, and is often quite funny as early in the set somehow Este got ‘engaged’ with a crowd member !

Musically they are excellent, and the set didn’t disappoint. I had seen their excellent performance at Glastonbury recently and this was again right up there. Tempo was spot on with no obvious errors throughout. From a musical family, they make music look so easy and effortless.

Sometimes performing an album in it’s entirety can be a bit risky. There’s usually a ‘weaker’ track or two, that you wouldn’t take on the road, but the delivery of “Women In Music: Pt. III” was outstanding. Towards the end of the main set I was pleased to see the inclusion of one of my favourite Haim tracks Forever from the excellent album “Days Are Gone”.

The vocals were spot on and I have to say, although this wouldn’t have been at the top of my MUST SEE gigs, I thoroughly enjoyed it…. All of it. Slick and professional, but maintaining a genuine feel to it…. a sincerity. Great music, laughs… what more could you want, thoroughly recommedned for a great music night out..

And then it was over all too soon. That’s unfortunately the case with a really good show, time flies, but instead of escaping into the usual late night cool air, I was hit by a still hot wave even gone 10:30pm. Getting in the car and driving home, it still showed 38 degrees…. But it had been well worth it !

Set List

Now I’m In It (Women In Music: Pt. III)

I Know Alone (Women In Music: Pt. III)

Up In A Dream (Women In Music: Pt. III)

My Song 5 (Days Are Gone)

Want You Back (Something To Tell You)

3 AM (Women In Music: Pt. III)

I’ve Been Down (Women In Music: Pt. III)

Gasoline (Women In Music: Pt. III)

Leaning On You (Women In Music: Pt. III)

Hallelujah (Women In Music: Pt. III)

Man From The Magazine (Women In Music: Pt. III)