Hawk Eyes @ Waterfront, Norwich
Hawk Eyes smash it at the Waterfront studio
Sort your shit out, Norwich.
Yeah, I know we’re all still reeling from the intoxicating success of having Taylor Swift hooting in a park, and “our” Yellows winning the just-managed-to-scrape-into-the-who-gives-a-fuck-kickyball-bullshit-see-you-next-year cup. I get it. Congratulations. Good for us. Aren’t we awesome!?
Well, yes, actually. And, also, no.
If you want Norwich to be a national centre of culture – as well as of sporting excellence and corporate pop - then GO TO GIGS! Go to plays! Support visiting talent! Endorse local business! Seriously, we don’t need a bong-addled Snoop in a yellow jumper to tell us how cool our City is. We know that! Just check your listings…
This rant may appear a little off topic, but I am, frankly, a little disappointed in you, Norwich. That’s because I went to the Waterfront Studio last night to see rock-press darlings Hawk Eyes, and there were about 10 people there.
“Well, they’re obviously shit then, aren’t they,” I hear you cry. No, Norwich, they’re not. They’re the diametric opposite of shit.
“What? They’re piss, then?” No, Norwich. They’re not piss. And piss isn’t the opposite of shit. Excellent is the opposite of shit. Hawk Eyes were nominated for Best British Newcomer at the Kerrang awards in 2012, and their releases to date have met with almost universal critical acclaim.
“So, if they’re so piss - I mean excellent - why wasn’t anyone there?”
That’s a good question, Norwich. Maybe I’ve been a little harsh (I was joking about the football, by the way. Stop crying). Maybe it’s their management’s fault that no one knew about this gig. Maybe the Waterfront could have publicised it a little better. But I’ll tell you whose fault it’s not, Norwich: It’s not fucking Hawk Eyes’s fault.
Despite the low turnout Hawk Eyes absolutely smashed it. The Leeds-based four piece have come of age with their third album ‘Everything is Fine’, and I was keen to see how it’s twisted and varied mix of incendiary post-hardcore frenetics and down-tuned neo-prog grandeur would translate to the stage. I wasn’t disappointed. Hawk Eyes have the kind of swagger and energy of a band born of the hardcore scene, but the confidence and maturity of a band that have grown beyond it. They filled the stage with attitude, and shook the sparsely populated room with massive thumping riffs and cocksure vocals. It was a razor-sharp performance.
I was disappointed in you though, Norwich. Now go to your room and think about what you’ve done. And, for fuck’s sake, check out Hawk Eyes. And if they’re kind enough to come back after the piss-poor reception they got this time, make sure you’re there.
