Music > Live Reviews

Yonaka

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

09/05/17

There’s few more exciting prospects on a Wednesday night in Norwich than a double headline show from two immensely exciting up-and-coming bands – on this occasion Brighton quartet Yonaka, and Berlin newcomers Gurr, who brought the noise to an unsuspecting Waterfront Studio.

Mashing elements of surf rock, punk and new-wave into avant-garde pop songs is what Gurr – a.k.a. Laura Lee and Andreya Casablanca – are all about. Joined by a bassist and drummer, their in-your-face set is a shock to the system, even after local riot grrrls Peach Club have warmed up the airwaves. The tongue-in-cheek take on millennial relationships Computer Love races by with the carefree charm of Hinds or Best Coast, while #1985 takes on a heavier persona, with shoegazey melodies dissolving under the infectious mantra of “underage drinking / fucking around”.

“We’re like ‘ah’, Yonaka are like ‘UGH!’”, says Laura of their touring partners. She’s not bloody wrong. Frontwoman Theresa Jarvis could jump off stage and grab you by the scruff of the neck and it wouldn’t be nearly as bracing as upcoming single Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya, which reverberates through the building under dazzling flashing lights.

More than a few new fans were made downstairs in March alongside Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, but for their first Norwich headliner, Yonaka stand strong by themselves. A souped-up version of debut Run epitomises the operatic-meets-hip-hop-meets-noise-rock sound that makes this band so unique, while new material hints that the best is yet to come. Drenched in attitude S.A.L.T.Y. sees Jarvis sweep finger-guns relentlessly at the room, while Gods and Lovers has a rich rock-and-roll swagger that brings to mind Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out. All In My Head is a noise heavy slow burner, but it’s Bubblegum, with its effect laden hook, which sticks to mind once the night is over.

Yonaka are a force not to be messed with – brace yourself for the tricks they have up their sleeves.