Drugstore, She Makes War & Buoys // NAC - 13.12.13
What would numerologists make of wombat wombat's combined 13th birthday and Christmas celebration falling on the final Friday 13th of 2013? Luck, fate or just one of those things? Who knows, this was a great night.
What would numerologists make of Wombat Wombat's combined 13th birthday and Christmas celebration falling on the final Friday 13th of 2013? Luck, fate or just one of those things?
Openers BUOYS are made up of five ladies and a chap that have been stalwarts of the Norwich scene over the years. The music is rough 'n' ready alt-rock-meets-riot grrls-meets Shonen Knife. Tonight, BUOYS were perhaps a little ramshackle, to the point of seeming under-rehearsed, but songs like 'Apollo' shine bright with promise. Definitely one to watch out for. (7.5/10)
For this punter at least, the highlight of this gig was Laura Kidd AKA She Makes War and her utterly brilliant, twisted, dark pop songs. The likes of 'Scared to Capsize', 'Slow Puncture', 'Delete' and 'In This Boat' are fantastic on record but it is simply glorious to see and hear SMW perform them live with with voice, ukulele, guitar, megaphone, toy instruments and loop peddles. The music recalls 'Let England Shake'-era Polly Harvey, Shirley Manson and Warpaint, whilst Laura's warm personality should win over the toughest of audiences. (10/10)
On to the headliners and Isabel Monteiro's rejuvenated Drugstore. Having been around for twenty years on and off, singing bassist Monteiro and relatively new compadres Nils Eyre on guitar, Peter Allinson on keys and drummer Steve Dixon play latino influenced dreampop recalling a poppier Tom Waits or a rockier Talk Talk. Monteiro is never less than captivating, even when throwing a (mock) diva hissy fit. Whilst the music may not reach the heights of utter brilliance, the likes of 'El Presidente' and 'The Night the Devil Came for Me" are more than listenable. (8/10)
