Norwich Sound & Vision Day One
First day of the marathon that is NS+V
First day of the marathon that is NS+V. Here we go...
Let's Eat Grandma kick things off at NAC. The duo grows in confidence every time I see 'em. Like a mix of Current 93 and a Clint Mansell soundtrack, this is perhaps too close to performance art for comfort but it is strangely compelling. (8/10)
Let's get the Joanna Newsom comparisons out of the way. Abigail Blake sings and plays the harp but this is decent singer-songwriter stuff. There is none of the overblown stuff that makes so many love (or hate) Newsom. (6/10)
Ducking Punches were a highlight of last year's NS+V and tonight's show at the Mash Tun betters it. Mixing stuff from the forthcoming, Pledge-funded album and old faves, this is stupendous folk-punk. (9/10)Only managing to catch the tail end of the set, it would be unfair of me to rate Best Friends at NAC but what little I heard was thrashy, grungy indie-by-numbers. The crowd loved it so what do I know?
Still at NAC, True Adventures is a good, witty - if unremarkable - singer-songwriter. (6/10)
At the Mash Tun, Tigercub have added an industrial, almost Helmet-esque twist to what is otherwise run-of-the-mill alt.rock. Better than when they supported Royal Blood but still not earth shattering. (6/10)
Spring King’s set at NAC is faster, bouncier and more 60s garage than I remember from their support with Courtney Barnett and it’s all the better for it. They're not doing anything nobody's done before but it is done with some enthusiasm and panache and it makes me smile. (8/10)
Back to the Mash Tun for Clarence Clarity and band. Looking like Tame Impala but sounding like a good natured, poptastic Young Fathers, this was very much an unexpectedly dubfunkrock highlight to the first day. (9/10)
Now for some sleep but roll on day two!
