Rock N Roll Circus Day One
Ever since this well executed event took place on Norwich soil last year, I had eagerly been waiting to see what bands will be performing this year and as with previous years, the line up most certainly hasn’t disappointed. There is something for everyone over the next four days, but day one is what today is all about and it’s as good an excuse as any to close the working week off on a Thursday lunchtime to be able to get into the city and take in the artists on show.
Mark Stimpson
First up as we enter the arena are Pleasure Inc, all the way from Norwich! It’s a storming rip-roaring set as always and as the punters wander in, so their audience starts to swell to good numbers. There are a growing number of them nodding their heads in the right direction too as they get into the PI grooves. Visual, lively, and most certainly entertaining. It’s a very good start to the proceedings even if they run over their slot by a couple of minutes, at least the organisers didn’t pull the plug on them (you naughty boys), but a couple of minutes before they wrap up their slot, Seb Lowe and his band are soon booming out of the tent so we leg it inside.
He has an amazing (theatrical) voice to accompany his indie, folk rock story telling sound that could even end up in the West End at some stage of his career and he is ably supported by a great band, most notably Kate Couriel on violin and backing vocals. It’s an enjoyable performance.
Next up are GIRLBAND! From Nottingham, and it’s a blistering set list, kicking off with the brilliant, Not Like The Rest. They are an interesting trio, singer Georgie is a quite mesmerising guitar player with a killer vocal to match, while drummer Jada provides a quite amazing back beat on the smallest drum kit that I have ever seen! Bassist Kay, rather cooly adds to the vibe, looking pretty cool and soaking it all up. They have great tunes and judging by the size of their crowd, good audience appeal too. A very impressive thirty minutes, but please get the drummer a bigger kit.
And so, to The K’s, the finest of sons from Earlestown, Merseyside.
The stage is set for a banging forty-five minutes and they do not disappoint, lead singer Jamie Boyle sets the standard for the rest of the band, he sounds very sharp, looks immaculately dressed and immediately commands the stage as he leads from the off. He is on the front foot throughout and has the crowd in his back pocket, a mass sing along ensues throughout with his left foot mostly rested on the large metal fan throughout the show, he is totally in control of his surroundings with Ryan Breslin on lead guitar helping to significantly bring it all to life.
It’s very impressive stuff, their sound is off the scale, it’s extremely loud in here too but the band have a real wow factor tonight and I am in their back pocket, hooked on this relatively new to me band.
Opener Icarus sets the tone and its then banger after banger for the duration with Chancer, Glass Towns and Sarajevo show highlights.
I feel extremely disappointed that it has taken me this long to fully appreciate this band, but it’s what events like this are all about isn’t it. I will be making up for lost time and will definitely be keeping a close eye on them from here on in.
Girl In The Year Above just happen to look like a cool rock band, watching them standing on the hill as they were admiring the previous acts, with shades fully intact, they also sound damn fine too, with Jennifer Ball’s dulcet vocal tones booming out from the stage, think Last Dinner Party, Kathryn Joseph and This Is The Kit. Their version of Massive Attack’s Teardrop taken from the Peaky Blinders movie soundtrack is to die for. We will be hearing much more from these Devonians of that, I am sure.
Razorlight were last seen in these parts, quite literally in this very park back in 2022 supporting Noel Gallagher at the Neck of the Woods event and just as they did four years ago, they more than prove to be up to the billing to further get us all into the mood for the up-and-coming headliners.
Main man, Johnny Borrell is sounding simply great and looks absolutely amazing, showing off his six-pack mid set as he duly dispatches his shirt and I am not one bit jealous of that fine physique?
The stage looks quite wonderful as it becomes a sitting room complete with pot plants and furniture and even a picture of Doors frontman Jim Morrisson adorns its walls. It becomes Razorlight’s home playground for the next hour.
All of the big hits are played out, Golden Touch, In The Morning, Don’t Go Back To Dalston and of course, they close with the epic America. It’s been a blast.
Another quick dash outside to the outdoor stage after grabbing some refreshments to see, London’s The Molotovs. Featuring brother and sister duo Mathew and Issey Cartlidge, the set is packed with quirky three-minute pop songs that come with a mod twist to them, that by their own admission are heavily influenced by the likes of The Kinks, The Jam and The Small Faces
And now, it’s showtime, as the tent bulges with excitement for the arrival of the main act James.
The last time that I saw James play live in Norwich was 1994 at the UEA LCR for the Laid album tour, they were supported by none other than Radiohead who were in turn promoting their debut album, Pablo Honey. A certain lead singer got upset at something that went on and promptly left the stage, soon followed by his then band members! Thankfully, they did return to finish the gig.
Now stalwarts of the indie music scene, they have always had a very loyal and cult like fanbase and it is evident upon walking to the venue today that this is still very much the case, but what is even more impressive is seeing the young people in their James t-shirts. They have over a career spanning four decades further cultivated a new group of James obsessives.
Tim Booth is looking as resplendent as ever in a white fur jacket that’s accompanied by his now trademark woolly hat. We are informed that due to technical issues the set list has pretty much been ripped up, so they will take it just as it comes, some songs cannot be played unfortunately due to the issues that they encountered before they took to the stage. There will be no encore, instead he informs us that they will just play straight through due to the fifteen-minute delay in entering the stage.
As each track finishes there is a debate and conversation amongst the band, led by Booth as to what they will play next, sometimes the band agrees to his suggestion and sometimes they disagree, but he seems to win the vote more often than not.
What they give us is an hour and a half of joy, magic, and harmony as they fill the tent with great music and loads of love.
It’s hard to think back that far, but back in the day that they were just a regular four-piece indie band when they released their debut album Stutter back in 1986. My, what a journey they have taken since then.
They are now a nine-piece line up that features aside of Booth the only original member in bassist Jim Glennie. Up front they have the extraordinarily talented Chloe Apler working her magic on guitar and vocals, singing snuggly alongside front man Booth, who into the bargain still has an excellent voice and can still throw a crazy dance move or two.
They start the show with the classic, Tomorrow, and its duly followed by many other bangers from their extensive back catalogue of some eighteen albums now.
Sometimes (Lester Piggott), Say Something, Laid and the classic Ring The Bells continue to light up the tent and take the atmosphere up an extra notch or two. New tracks Yeah, Yeah, Yeah and Nantucket as quoted by Booth also proved to be great songs and they slot right in with all the classics.
As extrovert as ever, during Born Of Frustration Booth rather unexpectedly enters the crowd shaking hands with the masses, still singing at the top of his voice along with his dedicated followers, He then starts to climb the tent rigging as the song closes and yells to the band that they should do Sit Down next. It’s their epic song and although it isn’t played out as long as the classic, live at the GMEX version it’s still a precious moment and it gets played out in typical James anthemic fashion. My oh my, what a tune!
Thankfully, there were no tantrums tonight, it’s just pure unbridled love and adoration for an incredible band. It’s been a truly wonderous occasion. The organisers should take a lot of credit for yet another fantastic event.
I’ll be back here on Saturday for the Kooks and their entourage of support acts and I simply cannot wait.
