Cubfest
The inaugural edition of Cubfest on Sunday was a taste of something Norwich has been missing for a long time, stacking The Waterfront’s two rooms with new artists both local and from further afield.
More an evening event than an all-dayer, it’s 5.30 by the time local boys Marigolds take to the stage upstairs – the first act worth seeing. The group’s emo-tinged surf numbers are raw, Chamomile being their best number by far.
Downstairs the best acts on the line-up play back to back. Anteros have had a huge year, touring with White Lies and Two Door Cinema Club. So it’s no surprise that their live show is a full-throttle disco-meets-rock-n-roll bonanza. Cuts from April’s ‘Drunk’ EP are uber glamorous and great to get down to. With the room in the palm of her hand, sugary lyrics drip off the tongue of Laura Hayden, whose retro attire is just as glitzy as her vocals. It’s a spectacular introduction to anyone who isn’t yet familiar with these energetic party maestros. Scouser darlings Clean Cut Kid have also had a big old year, playing huge stages alongside the The Kooks and releasing their debut album ‘Felt’ on Polydor Records. Their set is noticeably grittier than it used to be, and despite recruiting a new bassist literally days ago, their performance is slicker than ever. Brother Of Mine is a stand-out track, frontman Mike Hall delivering a blistering guitar solo, while the effervescent Pick Me Up injects some life to the reserved audience.
The top end of the bill is where the evening dwindles. While Eliza and the Bear are certainly entertaining in their jazzy shirts and impeccable ad-libs, they draw a small crowd downstairs and last on, Mod-like newcomer Louis Berry is equally uninteresting. Upstairs a dwindling but enthusiastic crowd stick about for Will Joseph Cook. The singer-songwriter’s summery tunes are excellent for the final hurrah of the night, but the mostly empty room feels like a real wasted opportunity.
For a first attempt, Cubfest almost gets it right. I’d welcome its return, but the line-up needs to be much better. Between more than ten acts billed only two performers (that I saw, certainly) weren’t white males, so some diversity would be a great shout – if this is what The Waterfront consider the future of British music, count me out. Plus, some more alternative-leaning acts like Dream Wife, Superfood, or INHEAVEN would cut through the generic ‘indie pop’ blandness, and hopefully inspire more energy from the audience. It’s a good start, hopefully round two can be even better.
