Tigercub @ NAC
Tigercub have the skills.
It’s not the first time Tigercub – an alt rock power trio from Brighton – have given Norwich a taste of their thunderous, primal belters. They previously opened for Royal Blood at the Waterfront Studio, and more recently took to the stage at the Mash Tun, courtesy of Sound & Vision 2015. Tonight it’s DIY Magazine doing the hosting, and we sure are in for a treat.
Lo-fi foursome Marigolds open. They’re an amalgamation of various other local acts, which shows in their mismatchy appearance as well as their sound, which initially strikes punk pop chords and not in a good way. But they settle swiftly into their surroundings and by the end of their half hour, upbeat indie tunes are flowing, with the occasional “ooh ooh” thrown in for good measure.
Main support is Croydon rockers Bellevue Days. They’ve already had Radio 1 airplay and been praised by fellow Londoners Wolf Alice, shoes they fill with ease at the Arts Centre tonight. It’s their first time in Norwich, they chirp, but the crowd are welcoming. Songs like Sleep and Pepper Tea stand out, with huge, punchy choruses set dramatically against moody verses. Frontman Alan Smith has a calm and collected stage presence and channels a refined roughness in his clean cut vocals, backed by long haired guitarist Dan Lukes who stomps and thrashes about recklessly, and the more reserved Joe Blackford on bass.
Compared to their slot at the Waterfront Studio two years ago, it’s clear instantly just how much Tigercub have grown and developed as a band. They stride around more coolly, kicking things into gear louder and mightier than anyone expected. The room has gradually filled and it’s a Saturday night: time to get the juices flowing. The set is a mix of old stuff and new but a distinct groove runs in the veins of each song. Bloom is a mighty juggernaut of a track, grossly melancholic under the crimson lighting, and the savage riffs of Rich Boy are delivered alongside a well-received dig at Ian Duncan Smith et al. Frontman Jamie Hall leads with, “This one’s about my Dad” into Bittersweet Motherfucker, one of many deadpan off the cuffs that come between songs tonight. Pictures of You, ferocious and beastly, sees the lads at the front getting lairy as the band urge people to get moving. But mostly we stand in sheer awe of the gnarly, beefy concoction of sounds being thrust towards us. Centrefold stands out as their best piece tonight, but with a debut album on the way that might not be the case for much longer.
Tonight states without a doubt that Tigercub have the skills; all that’s missing are the songs that could well propel them to the bigger things they look set to achieve.
