Norwich Sound + Vision // Day Three - 12.10.2013
Feeling the fatigue but feeling the noise.
First up, Matt Watson at the Bicycle Shop. A singing guitarist (backed up by fiddle), the songs are reminiscent of the Wonderstuff's Miles Hunt, New Model Army’s folkier output or the Levellers. Not bad. (6/10)
On to the Birdcage for Mega Emotion, a less-polished version of School of Seven Bells, which is a good thing. A good performance, with 'Brains' a high-light, but it fizzled out with equipment failure. (8/10)
A swift walk to the Hog for Alpha Male Tea Party's predominantly instrumental post-rock in the vein of Mogwai or Explosions In The Sky. What stands them apart from those (great) bands are the occasional vocals and the humorous between song banter. Cracking stuff. (9/10)
Back to the Birdcage for Bad Grammar's take on the grunge/punk thing. Similar to Drenge, this is not original but is a furious and entertaining noise. (8/10)
To the Hog again for Cut Yourself In Half AKA Run Yourself A Bath. This is punky metal bordering on thrash that frankly doesn’t do it for me. (4/10)
What was intended to be a swift walk to NAC was interrupted by fellow festival goers stopping me to sing the praises of Baltic Fleet. Well, I was too late for that but did catch youngster Kiran Leonard in the Bar. A solo singer-guitarist, Leonard's stuff is more punky grunge that could do with the backing of a full band. One to watch. (7/10)
Meanwhile, in the Auditorium, Big Deal were peddling their take on early 90s alt-rock. Entertaining enough but lacking a cutting edge. (6/10)
Back yet again to the Birdcage for Sisters. Another take on early 90s altrock but showing that spark of originality and that edge that Big Deal were missing. (8/10)
And finally, for NS&V 2013, a return to the Hog for Honningbarna. The best has been saved for last. Melodic hardcore played fast and furious, this wasn't a lengthy performance but even so I have no idea how vocalist Pelle Gunnerfeldt and co kept the energy levels so high. Following an incident with the traffic police earlier in the day, Eddy Grant's "Police On My Back" was a particularly relevant way to close proceedings. Stunning. (10/10)
So now, the coming down and its back to reality after three hectic and intense nights. Here’s to NS&V 2014
Pavlis
