Palma Violets @ The Owl Sanctuary
You see? Norwich does know how to have a good time.
With so much going on in the city last Saturday there were some tough decisions to be made. Not a problem for any of the 150 bodies packed into the Owl Sanctuary as Dr. Martens' #StandForSomething 2015 Tour rolled into Norwich. With Palma Violets headlining, and supported by The New Thieves and Best Friends, this had to be the best ticket in town for anyone lucky enough to have one.
And what an atmosphere greeted south coast band The New Thieves as they took the stage. Anybody that claims Norwich audiences just stand and clap obviously hadn't come across this crowd. They were bouncing on their Airwair soles from the off, and certainly gave the visitors a rousing reception. With tracks like Cough Sweet and The Beach, it looks like this three piece is definitely a band for all seasons.
Some of us had already had a chance to meet Best Friends, either at NS&V on the Thursday, or at the Dr. Martens shop in the city earlier in the afternoon. For those that hadn't, it did not take long to become acquainted, and soon almost the entire room was moshing and surfing, and front man Lewis Sharman ven dived in with them. Happy Anniversary may not sound like your archetypal rock and roll invitation to jump around, but there are definitely greetings and boots in the air tonight.
After playing the festival circuit and two rounds of the NME Awards Tour since 2013, Palma Violets wasted no time in getting stuck back into the small venue vibe, and right from the opening bars of Five Gold Rings the whole room is on a boisterous one way trajectory into the eye of a storm. You see? Norwich does know how to have a good time. Owl Sanctuary staff must be congratulated for their sensible relaxed approach to arms and legs flying in all directions. Everyone is looking out for each other, and everyone is out-jumping everyone else, and if that means the odd kick in the face from a size 10 boot, well, that's the price you pay. If you are a press photographer trying to hold on to several hundred pounds worth of camera gear then you may have to take one on the chin in order to get that shot. But that's what insurance is for.
After a one hour set that has turned both band and audience collectively into one hot and sweaty mass of bodies, it is almost time to wind things up. We have gorged ourselves on old favourites like Best of Friends, Rattleshake Highway and Tom The Drum, and feasted on the newer tracks such as Five Gold Rings and Danger In The Club. There is no time for an encore. Instead, we spill out onto Cattle Market Street, maybe a little dazed, and maybe nursing the odd bruise or two, but totally elated. These damn boots are good for a whole lot more than just walking.
9/10
