Magoo 25

Tonight sees local heroes Magoo celebrating 25 years of making their joyous, joyful racket in front of a crowded Arts Centre.

First up, in the before and playing before the official start time, there’s some virtuoso Spanish style guitar in the bar. The name of the player is not listed anywhere but I am subsequently told that this is local busker Peter Turrell. Now, I am hoping I have got that right as I thoroughly enjoyed the RM Hubbert and Withered Hand style instrumentals.

In the auditorium, Rory McVicar is doing his thing. His is a sweet voice that is a bit Lloyd Cole, a bit Lou Reed, a bit Edwyn Collins. McVicar and second guitarist Simon, work with guitar loops and an octaver peddle to make music that hints at Explosions In The Sky and Kevin Shields’ work with Patti Smith.

Shane Olinsky plays two sets in the bar. Unfortunately, I manage to miss both. Here’s to next time.


I like Mega Emotion, I like ‘em a lot but something seems to be missing for the first two-thirds of the set. I can’t put my finger on it. The sound is, if anything, beefier and stronger than I have heard before and they seem to be enjoying themselves but it isn’t moving me. That is, until the closing trio of La Isla Bonita, a storming B R A I N S and a wonderfully twisted OK Maybe OK. More like that and I will be a very happy chap.

As the name of tonight's gig suggests and as mentioned earlier, Magoo are here to celebrate 25 years. Shamefully, despite having lived in Norwich since 2000 on-and-off and Magoo having been signed to Chemikal Underground - the label behing some of my favourite music - I only discovered them last year. I can't name most of the songs but, by cripes, I may be late to the party but I love this band!

Things kick-off in some style, with party poppers distributed among the audience and a sea of balloons all filled with flashing, multi-coloured lights. Whoever had the idea of putting those multi-coloured diodes in balloons is almost certainly a genius. During the set, the current four-piece are joined on stage by various ex-members from throughout their history, including solo star in his own right Chris T-T.

It is a set of high intensity, high-energy alt-rock-pop-indie. The music is frankly glorious and utterly vital. When considering the bands that have achieved major success in the last quarter of a century, it is a mystery as to why Magoo haven’t done the same. But then if they had, would we have witnessed this gig?

I don’t wanna come across as fawning or over-enthusiastic and yeah, I have had a beer of four but this has been a truly cracking gig. The only complaint for me is that I have to make like Cinderella and leave before the end before I turn into a pumpkin.

See ya at NAC in another 25 years to celebrate 50 years of Magoo? Here’s hoping!