Beabadoobee
It is my first trip back to the Nick Rayns LCR since seeing Fontaines DC back here in February 2020, one of the last gigs before everything went tits up with the pandemic. I get caught out by the 6.30pm doors, and also with the football traffic leaving Carrow Road, but still manage to get parked up and join a queue that was, by now, stretching back past the UEA Studio and the Congregation Hall and was snaking its way towards University Drive. This my second sold-out gig in two days, and it is so gratifying to see music fans flocking back to the indoor venues.
This is the fourth night of Beabadoobee's ‘Beatopia’ Tour, and this is Norwich’s chance to see and hear Beatrice Laus and the band perform tracks from the album that made number four in the UK charts earlier this year. Having reviewed 'Beatopia' for Outline back in June, and awarded it 9 out of 10, I was keen to see how they stack up as a live act.
And they did not disappoint. Coming on stage to the sound of ‘Beatopia Cultsong’ and ploughing straight in with the lively pop-rock of '10:36', we experienced its sing-along chorus reverberating around the LCR as 1500 excited fans jumped up and down and sang back every word. A comprehensive and well-orchestrated setlist covered almost all bases, taking in earlier EP tracks like 'Apple Cider' and 'He Gets Me So High' ; mixing in audience favourites like 'Care' and 'Worth It' from debut album 'Fake It Flowers'; and topping it off with no less than seven tracks from 'Beatopia', including 'Talk', 'See You Soon' and my own lounge-infused favourite. 'The Perfect Pair'.
Dressed in combats and vest, the 22 year old singer appeared relaxed, comfortable and confident, and perfectly at ease with the audience's enthusiasm and reception, even picking up several soft toys thrown onto the stage, and placing them carefully on the drum riser. We even get a massive grunge-style moshpit at one point. Now, I haven’t seen one of those for a while.
After running through a total of eighteen songs many new bands would be struggling to put together an encore, but Beabadoobee's songwriting chest still holds three more big guns of songs to finish with, and we are treated to the gentle and warming 'Coffee', the acoustic beauty of 'Ripples', and the catchy alt-rock of 'Cologne', before the lights come up and it is time to leave. Full marks for a good job done well, and for not having to include a single cover in the set.
Opening support came from Pretty Sick, a rocking three-piece that features two bass guitars and drums, with singer Eliana Sewell brandishing one of the basses, and delivering a vocal performance laced with attitude and gutsy energy. Originally from New York but now based in London, Pretty Sick are label mates of Beabadoobee, and this year released their third album, 'Makes Me Smile, makes Me Sick'. Would really like to see them back in Norwich soon.
Not a bad night out for a Saturday in October. And I am still tucked up in bed with my cocoa well before midnight.
