NS&V @ Millennium Library
A truly inspirational idea from NS&V and the library management
Everyone who bought a ticket or wristband for this year's Norwich Sound & Vision will now have a personal highlight on which to reflect and savour, as yet again the organisers pulled out all the stops in laying on a cultural feast of bands and events to showcase this fine city's musical and film talent.
My own spine-tingling moment came with the conclusion of Emily Winng's set on the Saturday afternoon. As she and her band performed to an enthusiastic crowd of 200 inside Norwich's Millennium Library, we were joined by the twenty piece Norwich Samba band, complete with exotic dancer, for a rousing finale whilst gazing outwards through the plate glass windows to the cavernous Forum building and the illuminated glow of St Peter Mancroft Church in the darkness beyond.
As events go, this was a truly inspirational idea from NS&V and the library management. In tearing up the rulebook, and all the musty clichéd preconceptions about libraries being silent cathedrals to the printed word, this event succeeded in bringing together a broad cross-section of music fans, library users and passer bys to together enjoy some of this area's leading talent. In one three hour programme of free music performed in what is, apparently, this country's most visited public library, Norwich Sound & Vision truly managed to become the music festival for the people of Norwich.
Starting with the gentle acoustic set of Norfolk singer songwriter George Cheetham, and setting the mood perfectly for Norwich-based regulars Cove Hithe, this musical intrusion to the peace and tranquility could well have raised a stuffy eyebrow or two in the past. However, in the internet fuelled world of 2015 this is precisely the kind of real life interaction to which many more libraries could look to and learn from.
As the light outside began to fade, and with the upstairs floors of the library now closed, it was time to crank up the volume and tempo a little with local stampy blues duo Dove and Boweevil, more used to raising the rafters in pubs and clubs than the bookshelves of a library. Whilst the first two acts seemed initially shy of raising the volume in such respectful surroundings, Lauren Dove showed no such hesitation, and together with Mark 'Boweevil' Howes on guitars we soon had a right little shindig going, climaxing with This Is Life (title track from their new album) and, appropriately, Fireworks.
To headline and finish this unique Saturday afternoon entertainment, we were treated to one of the city's most popular singers, and one-quarter of confusingly named Sargasso Trio, Emily Winng. After a challenging soundcheck, with Emily managing to just about squeeze her four piece band onto the tiny stage, we are treated to a set of her characteristically percussive and rhythmic numbers. Meanwhile the familiar blue and white outfits of the Norwich Samba Band members can be seen amassing in the Forum ready for their dramatic entrance and collaboration, straight from their appearance as part of the day's Magdalen Street Celebrations, to create that spectacular finale.
Many congratulations to all those involved with making this very special event happen. Hopefully its success will guarantee it a regular place in future years' Norwich Sound & Vision, but why let it stop there? Please, please, please Millennium Library. More, and soon!
Check out footage of Emily's final song with Norwich Samba Band on YouTube. GOOSEBUMPS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdRZNQPiZ8
