Music > Live Reviews
The Regrettes + Aphra + Gladboy
OPEN
23/08/18
On a warm night in the fine city I'm faced with one of those gig clashes that are an annoying but unavoidable fact of life where live music thrives. Tempting as it is to go to the Arts Centre for Courtney Marie Andrews, it is to OPEN that I head.
First up are Gladboy. The only time that I have seen them previously was in the bar at NAC. I couldn’t see much and could hear less and walked away thinking they were a skiffle combo. Tonight is therefore a revelation. This is art-pop – think Bowie, early Talking Heads or Pulp – that veers into psych and dreampop but always has a roughness and bite that gives it an edge. A fair proportion of the audience are already fans and the rest of us are soon won over. Singing guitarist George Orton has star quality in spades.
Talking of star quality, I have heard many good things about Aphra but this is the first time I have caught her live and I have to roundly berate myself for not doing so before. Backed up by Dylan on drums and Sam on bass, Aphra plays jaunty pop with hints of jazz and a touch of ska. For the most part, the music is upbeat and cheerful, which belies the serious and thought provoking nature of the lyrics. There is a quirkiness and individuality at work here that kind of reminds me of the late, great Kirsty McColl or Lloyd Cole but given a contemporary makeover. Cracking stuff.
After two fantastic support acts, Los Angeles’ Regrettes have to deliver and deliver they do. Described as a punk rock band, there is far more to the four-piece than that. There are big hints of 70s garage rockers like the Dickies or the Runaways in their sound, they play with the energy of Buzzcocks and the Ramones and there is an undoubtable debt to riot grrrl in their attitude. The backing vocals are all Ronettes, Crystals and Four Tops harmonies. My fellow Outliner David A suggests that the songs have a bit of Taylor Swift’s pop sass about ‘em and, whilst that had not occurred to me, I won’t argue.
Genessa’s guitar combines the strut and swagger of Johnny Thunders at his best with an Angus Young vibe. Bassist Sage and drummer Drew’s playing locks in to create a formidable rhythm section. On lead vox and with her guitar slung low, Lydia has a charisma and charm that it is too rare, leaving the stage at one point to lead an audience singalong. There is some frenzied – but good natured – moshing and the set ends to a rapturous response. If I have a complaint, the set is on the short side and the lack of encore seemed a bit mean but, hells, this has still been a cracker of a gig that should go down in Norwich folklore as one of those shows you just had to be at.
Finally, a huge shout out to Alex Cabre, Anti Despair Machine, Dork Magazine and OPEN for putting together such a diverse yet great bill of young talent.