Blossoms @ NAC

Stockport five piece Blossoms have made a name for themselves up north, notably supporting the Courteeners this summer at Manchester’s 20,000 capacity Heaton Park. A few months down the line and they’re heading further afield on their own nationwide tour, stopping off in a bustling Norwich Arts Centre on a cold night in October to deliver a well-needed dose of psychedelic, rock ‘n roll glamour.

Norwich’s own Teen Brains opened the evening, drizzling juicy effects over a garage rock core with impressive tightness for a band that only recently released their debut EP. A lack of charisma on stage made this one of their less entertaining performances but still kicked off the show with appeal. Declan McKenna followed, a 16-year-old solo artist who this spring won Glastonbury festival’s emerging talent competition. With a set up featuring two keyboards, an electric guitar and a variety of pedals, his catchy, indie-pop songs were mesmerising and delightful. The occasional mishap showed his inexperience but his charming and infectious stage presence more than made up for it.

Soon after, the vibrant, twinkling sound of Cut Me and I’ll Bleed permeated the venue as Blossoms took to the stage under fittingly bright red lighting. Dressed sharply with heads hanging solemnly, they played the eerie sounding Smoke and Madeleine, with its steamy synths and intoxicating guitars, more than hinting at George Harrison/Beatles influences. The crowd was surprisingly large, and despite a lack of movement there was an overwhelming sense of enjoyment in the sweltering, hazy room. Ogden seized the ample opportunity during You Pulled A Gun On Me to show off his abilities as a frontman, crooning and purring his way through the song’s alluring verses. Alex Turner would be proud.

“Would anyone like to hear a tune off the debut album?” was greeted with a reaction of disinterest the first time round but a theatrical repeat fired up the audience with ease. “That’s more like it”, Ogden smirked, before launching into the grungey At Most A Kiss from their (as of yet untitled) upcoming debut record. Sounding like a gothic reworking of a Black Keys song with Tame Impala influences on the keyboards, it’s a positive indication of what’s to come from this relatively new band. My Favourite Room followed, a sentimental acoustic track dedicated to “Anyone in the crowd who’s had their heart broken recently.” Ogden’s vocals, alongside back ups from guitarist Charlie Salt, were stunning, definitely setting Blossoms one up against their reputation for being just another common-or-garden indie act.

A few technical difficulties with microphones hardly dampened the buzzing atmosphere, one member of the crowd shouting enthusiastic about the potential of an acapella closing to the show. Fortunately, things were straightened out fast and efficiently giving the band a final chance to rouse the audience with Blown Rose. “It’s been a pleasure”, Ogden announced, introducing set-closer Blow as the song’s drum and bass introduction rose around him. “And it’s everywhere she goes / I don’t know if it’s love that she wants / Yeah she blows, yeah she blows”, the band roared, to a fantastic reception from their now electric audience. The track concluded with a phenomenal tambourine-fuelled reprise, the five piece exiting stage into the murky fog as swiftly and stylishly as they’d arrived not 50 minutes before.

“About this time last year we played the Owl Sanctuary… and it was fookin’ dead”, Salt told me afterwards. If Blossoms can grow so much in just a year from playing to next to no one to near selling out the Arts Centre, they’re absolutely one to be keeping a close eye on over the coming months – I know I will be.