Los Campesinos!
Saturday night saw big scenes in Norwich; Epic Studios hosted Norwich’s first ever Wrestlemania and Los Campesinos! took over Norwich Arts Centre. For those of us who didn't head to Epic, the Welsh seven-piece filled the stage, and despite Gareth’s hangover, there was all the energy you’d expect.
Opening with Renato Dall’Ara (2008), the lead track from new album Sick Scenes, Gareth accepts that new material might not be what the packed Arts Centre crowd has come for, but the new album is the reason the band are touring (and the reason they’re back together after a hiatus), and the new tracks are as witty and well written as the older numbers so we’re all pretty happy with the mix between old and new. Sick Scenes received solid 8/10 reviews, and offers a slightly more nostalgic look on the indie rock scene which was at its peak when Los Camp formed. We all remember that time Ben Howard told a sold out LCR that we were ‘all c*nts’ for not appreciating his new jams, but that’s really not the case here; Los Camp know that the fans come for the classics.
Controversially, Gareth mentions that the band have usually experienced a more friendly reception at the Arts Centre than they do at The Waterfront – it’s not surprising really with one being an ex-church and the other a part-time nightclub. Obviously we love both venues but the Arts Centre is has been voted one of Britain’s best small venues for a reason. With its teeny capacity and intimate feel, we can see why bands love it.
Finishing up with a massive encore of The Fall Of Home, You! Me! Dancing! and I Just Sighed. I Just Sighed, Just So You Know, we’ve got to hope that this anniversary reunion isn’t the end of something beautiful.
