If you enjoy karaoke, live music and a lively night out, Bandeoke at BOX Nottingham needs to be on your list.

Taking place every Thursday evening, Bandeoke gives ordinary karaoke a serious upgrade. Instead of singing along to a backing track, you take to the stage with a full live band playing behind you.

It is one of our favourite karaoke nights in Nottingham and a brilliant choice for anyone looking for something a little different to do in the city.

What Is Bandeoke?

Bandeoke combines the fun of karaoke with the energy of a live gig.

Choose a song from the available track list, grab the microphone and perform on stage while the musicians provide the backing. For a few minutes, you are no longer standing in a Nottingham bar. You are fronting your own band.

You do not need to be an experienced singer. Some performers deliver surprisingly polished vocals, while others simply throw themselves into the moment and enjoy making the crowd smile.

That mixture is exactly what makes Bandeoke so entertaining.

Thursday Nights at BOX Nottingham

Bandeoke takes place every Thursday at BOX Nottingham on Thurland Street in Nottingham city centre.

Performances usually run from 9pm until 11pm, although arriving earlier gives you time to find a table, order a drink and decide whether you are feeling brave enough to sing.

BOX is already known for its sports screens, food, cocktails and live entertainment. On Thursday evenings, the venue becomes one of the most energetic live music and karaoke spots in Nottingham.

Even when you are not performing, there is plenty to enjoy. You can cheer on the singers, join in with familiar choruses and watch everything from confident vocalists to enthusiastic first-time performers.

A Great Nottingham Social Event

Bandeoke is ideal for people looking for fun social events in Nottingham without the pressure of a formal night out.

The familiar music makes it easy for everyone to get involved. One minute the room might be singing along to ABBA, and the next it could be Arctic Monkeys, Whitney Houston or The Killers.

You can perform, sing from your seat or simply enjoy the atmosphere with the group.

When Affinity visits Bandeoke, our hosts help everyone find the group and make introductions. That means you are welcome to attend alone, with a friend or as part of a larger group.

There is no expectation to sing. Watching and encouraging other performers is just as much a part of the experience.

What Can You Sing at Bandeoke?

The Bandeoke track list includes more than 50 well-known songs, covering pop, rock, indie, soul and party classics.

There are big group singalongs, emotional ballads, energetic rock songs and plenty of tracks that are almost guaranteed to fill the dancefloor.

The Bandeoke Track List

1. ABBA: Dancing Queen
2. ABBA: Mamma Mia
3. AC/DC: Highway to Hell
4. Amy Winehouse: Valerie
5. Arctic Monkeys: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
6. Backstreet Boys: I Want It That Way
7. Ben E. King: Stand by Me
8. Beyoncé: Crazy in Love
9. Blink-182: All the Small Things
10. Blur: Parklife
11. Bruno Mars: Uptown Funk
12. Bryan Adams: Summer of ’69
13. Chappell Roan: Pink Pony Club
14. Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Want to Have Fun
15. Darius Rucker: Wagon Wheel
16. Dolly Parton: 9 to 5
17. Dua Lipa: Don’t Start Now
18. Ed Sheeran: Shape of You
19. Enrique Iglesias: Hero
20. Estelle: American Boy
21. George Michael: Faith
22. Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive
23. Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’
24. Kings of Leon: Sex on Fire
25. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Sweet Home Alabama
26. Miley Cyrus: Flowers
27. Natalie Imbruglia: Torn
28. Natasha Bedingfield: Unwritten
29. Neil Diamond: Sweet Caroline
30. Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger
31. Oasis: Wonderwall
32. Queen: Crazy Little Thing Called Love
33. Robbie Williams: Angels
34. Sam Fender: Seventeen Going Under
35. Shania Twain: Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
36. Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars
37. Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Murder on the Dancefloor
38. Spice Girls: Wannabe
39. Stereophonics: Dakota
40. Taylor Swift: Love Story
41. The Beatles: Hey Jude
42. The Killers: Mr Brightside
43. The Kooks: Naive
44. The Proclaimers: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
45. The Temptations: My Girl
46. Tina Turner: Proud Mary
47. TLC: No Scrubs
48. Toploader: Dancing in the Moonlight
49. Van Morrison: Brown Eyed Girl
50. Wheatus: Teenage Dirtbag
51. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

The hardest part might be choosing just one.

For a big audience reaction, songs such as Mr Brightside, Sweet Caroline, Don’t Stop Believin’, Wonderwall and I Wanna Dance with Somebody are difficult to beat.

Those feeling particularly ambitious could attempt Proud Mary, Valerie, Crazy in Love or Sex on Fire.

Do You Have to Sing?

Absolutely not.

Bandeoke is just as enjoyable from the audience. The live band, familiar songs and unpredictable performances create a brilliant atmosphere, even when you have no intention of going anywhere near the microphone.

You might arrive determined not to sing and find yourself volunteering after a little encouragement. Equally, you can spend the whole evening supporting everyone else.

There is no pressure either way.

Coming to Bandeoke Alone

Attending a busy Nottingham bar alone can sometimes feel intimidating, particularly when you do not know anyone there.

That is where joining Affinity makes a difference.

Our events are hosted, so there will be someone there to welcome you, show you where the group is sitting and introduce you to other guests. Many people come to their first Affinity event on their own, so you are unlikely to be the only person arriving without an established group.

Bandeoke is especially good for meeting people because the music provides an instant shared experience. There is always a performance to discuss, a chorus to join or a song choice to debate.

Join Affinity at Bandeoke

Our next Affinity Bandeoke social takes place at BOX Nottingham on Thursday 16 July 2026.

We will meet from 8pm, giving everyone time to settle in before Bandeoke begins at 9pm. Entry is free, but registration is required so that we know who is joining us and can help everyone find the group.

Whether you are ready to take centre stage or would rather sing along from your seat, expect live music, plenty of laughter and a welcoming group to enjoy it with.

Book for Bandeoke at BOX Nottingham

You can also explore more upcoming social events in Nottingham and discover new ways to meet people, try different experiences and build genuine friendships through Affinity.