She Makes War + Ezifreak
Autumn is very much in the air and it is a chilly evening in Norwich as I make my way to Epic where I am hoping that She Makes War, one of my favourite performers, will warm things up.
Things start well with the electro-rock of Ezifreak. This may only be their fourth gig but you wouldn’t know it. Bassist/vocalist Mark (of Neutrinos and KlangHaus) and drummer Craig (who I last saw in Birds of Hell) have enough experience between them that there are no obvious signs of nerves and, despite Mark telling us Ezifreak is very much an experiment for the duo, this is an assured performance. Mark’s vocals mix a soothing croon with a laconic rapping and come on like an English David Byrne while the bass is halfway between Lemmy and Jah Wobble. The lyrics are a little surreal, again recalling David Byrne but with a dose of Mark E Smith in there. Craig’s kit is so stripped back that it that it takes minimal to a whole new level but he provides inventive, heavy beats. As for the sound, I am getting an industrial take on New Order with some Talking Heads funkiness while those around me throw Daft Punk into the mix. This may be the first time that I have seen Ezifreak but I will do my best to make sure it isn’t the last.
As I have said, She Makes War is one of my favourite performers. I have seen Laura Kidd perform solo a few times but this is the first time with the band. As good and as highly recommended as the solo shows are, this is several notches up the excellence scale despite a few technical issues early in the set. With Charlie (bass), Guy (drums), Chipper (harmony vox) and Mike (guitar), Laura has that bit more freedom to relax and stretch out. The set covers all four albums with London Bites and Devastate Me being the pick of the rockers. Taking things downs a gear, the ever inventive and enthralling Delete finds Laura alone on stage with no backing other than her own (live looped) vocals. Absolute highlight of the set for me though is closer Scared To Capsize. I dunno why but that song gets me every time I hear it. There must have been some dust that got in my eyes or my eyeliner ran or something because surely it can’t have brought me close to tears again, can it? All in all, a cracking set from a great songwriter and performer and her band.
Mention has to be made of the notice displayed on the way in to Epic. First up, it announces that this is a safe place where everyone is to be treated with respect. Well, that should be an absolute given at any gig (and, from what I have seen – admittedly as a white, able-bodied, heterosexual male, albeit one with unusual dress sense and a propensity for badly applied eyeliner – that is the usually but sadly not always the case in Norwich) but maybe that notice should be up at every live music space, whoever is playing?
Secondly, there is a request not to use mobile phones. Well, I am as guilty as the next person of using my mobile at gigs, usually for taking notes for my reviews but also for the odd pic or three. Tonight I make a conscious effort not to use the phone. Beyond a couple of notes and three pics taken from the back of the room, I manage it. And you know what? It is liberating and makes the show much more enjoyable when I am neither peering at my own screen nor being forced to watch through someone else’s. Again, perhaps that notice should be put up in all venues? Or maybe we should all just have more self-control and keep our devices locked away and enjoy the moment? Whatever, it is food for thought…
