Category: Live Reviews

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Download Festival

Download Festival

Donington Park

12-14 June 2026

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DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2026 REVIEW

The last few years has seen Download Festival undertake something of a soft reset with fans dubbing this new era of the Donington Park event Download 2.0. Post-pandemic the festival simply hasn’t looked back and continues to go from strength to strength.

This year the event is sold out. Something which longtime attendees won’t have experienced often. That does mean that the arena is rammed and again those old school rockers find everything takes a little longer. That said, compared to some other festivals, it never feels dangerous or unsafe.

It’s corny but the Download Family makes this the occasion that it is. These past few years have seen high percentages of first-time attendees and with rock back in fashion, the future of heavy music appears to be healthy.

FRIDAY

Those that enter the arena early on Friday have Scene Queen getting the weekend started on the main stage. An act that in the darker days of rock gatekeeping would’ve been bottled off stage, instead is given a great reception as her bimbo-core brand brings colour to the world and typifies this new Download.

Of course, like all festivals, clashes are inevitable and again this year there are four music stages to pick from. In the biggest change to the arena layout in a decade the Avalanche Stage now occupies part of the campervan field, creating a whole new area. This works well as a standalone space and alleviates some of the pressure caused by the hyper-attendance.

For us we stay on the main stage for a nostalgic sing-along with P.O.D as the packed crowd sings back the likes of ‘Boom’, ‘Youth of the Nation’ and ‘Alive’. Then we catch great little sets from James and the Cold Gun in the Dogtooth, Paleface Swiss at the Opus Stage and Lakeview in the Avalanche tent as we catch our bearings again.

Organisers have done well to open up space and make the most of the arena, which continues to fill up as the day goes on. There are the usual food stalls with some returning favourites and festival standards. Queue wise despite the crowds (barring some really popular options), things aren’t too bad.

The festival is now in full-swing and the sheer scale of the crowd becomes clear as we arrive at the main (Apex) stage for Pendulum. With a bigger crowd then some past headliners have got the band deliver a textbook performance that elicits delirious scenes. The highlight being an appearance by Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari) on their cover of ‘Sorry, You’re Not a Winner’.

The great thing that Download has always done is intermix iconic acts and new bands and we catch the always joyous Lake Malice next who celebrate announcing their debut album with a full-throttle performance.

The buzz around Electric Callboy continues to mount and if we are judging band by crowd participation and volume then again this is a band in the headliner conversation. Time will tell if the novelty ever wears off but seeing a crowd full of metalheads living their best lives to the first of two airings for ‘RATATATA’ is a joy to behold.

We are split three-ways on the clash front next with Cypress Hill, Halestorm and Feeder taking to the bigger stages. We plump for Halestorm on Opus (plus a bonus side of Story of the Year in the Avalanche) and whilst we don’t know what we’ve missed elsewhere; Lzzy and co deliver a stunning audition for future headliners. Again, seeing the smiles on faces as they breakout their cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’, sums up the festival this year and backs up our decision.

Day one is all about Limp Bizkit though. The band who were meant to headline the first ever Download only to pull out finally take that top spot some twenty-three years later. The main stage is simply a party as the band show that they belong in this slot. After an emergency causes a delay, the band reprise ‘Break Stuff’ and day one is an enormous success.

SATURDAY

There’s an emotional return to Donington Park for The Wildhearts to kick off Saturday with Ginger receiving a hero’s welcome and blowing away any cobwebs from the night before.

One thing that has crept in in recent years is shorter sets. Back in the day thirty minutes was the minimum, but Tropic Gold are able to make the most of their twenty minutes in the Dogtooth tent. This allows us time though to catch South Arcade on the main stage who deliver one of the most engaging sets of the weekend.

We then head to Opus to catch Drowning Pool, however due to a change in schedule are greeted by As Everything Unfolds. Despite the genre and fanbase differential, the band capitalise on the larger stage and do a great job in winning over some confused old rockers!

Two bands that we were incredibly excited for in advance are back-to-back next in the Avalanche tent. Die Spitz and Mouth Culture both deliver punchy sets but it’s Mouth Culture who enter the conversation for set of the weekend. From the moment they arrive with ‘Ratbag’, the band had the audience in the palm of their hands. We’ve said it before, but this band deserve to be massive.

The weather this year was a hot topic in advance with the forecast very difficult to predict. The rains that greeted campers on Wednesday and Thursday however thankfully subsided and the three main days are graced with a deceptive amount of sun (based upon the number of red necks on display).

Many would’ve predicted heavy rain during BABYMETAL due to their previous main stage appearances seeing two of the worst weather events in the history of Download. This year (though winds are high), the rain stays away. This finally gives the band that uninterrupted opportunity to showcase their unique performance and judging by the amount of people singing back ‘Gimme Chocolate!!’, their set is a winner.

We are at the tail end of the day now and this is when people typically begin flagging a bit. What better way to stay alert then a textbook Trivium face-melting set. Stepping up to sub-headliners with ease (despite the wind cutting back their bells and whistles), the band make a clear and undeniable statement that it’s their destiny to headline this event in the future.

Next, we sneak in a cheeky Hot Milk performance in the Avalanche as the band deliver a trademark emotive set to a crowd eager for some energy. That may be because, closing the day is a now standard three-hour slog with Guns N Roses.

No longer the most dangerous band in the world, instead the most dad-rock band in the world. It’s a technically sound performance which includes all of the hits that you’d want to hear and some great deeper cut choices too. Would a shorter more chaotic set be more fun? Maybe. But the third coming of Guns N Roses still provides amazing bang for your buck.

SUNDAY

Opening the main stage on Sunday when the majority of the crowd is hungover and warn out is a treacherous spot. unpeople though are a band that can knock any challenge out of the park and by the end of their set everyone is on board the hype train.

Whilst the food queues have coped well this weekend, the same can’t be said for the bars and merch stands with both at times looking horrendous. Even on Sunday morning the merch stalls are still too much for some to bother, instead we checkout Catch Your Breath and Mammoth on the Opus stage who both go down well as we gather energy for what’s to come.

The story of RØRY is truly remarkable and is inspiring in so many different ways. Clearly her slot on the main stage is a big moment for her and her fans. The performance is captivating and ‘BLOSSOM’ was made for stages like this!

We are then back in the Avalanche tent for The Pretty Wild and TX2 who keep the trend going of not catching a bad performance so far. What is frustrating however is the increasing propensity of groups setting up their own mini areas of chairs and blankets. Chairs have always been controversial at Download and within reason we feel the choice should remain. However full camps being set-up in the centre of tents is potentially dangerous.

The Pretty Reckless are next on the Apex and deliver a slow burning performance that in many ways is sublime however is arguable too slowly paced for the big slot they are in. Fitting only eight tracks into a fifty-minute set feels a little like a wasted opportunity to showcase their fantastic back catalogue to a big crowd. The energy displayed at the top of the hill for a secret set from Skindred drawing even more attention to this fact.

Speaking of headline size crowds, Ice Nine Kills draw a massive crowd to the main stage, however instead we are back in the Avalanche tent for two of our favourites. First up, Dinosaur Pile-Up who may just capture that set of the weekend with an incredibly fun slot and then the ever-majestic Ash who’s own warm reception again shows the mindset of the event is much different to their last appearance in 2008.

It’s then time for the final run-in. Bad Omens make the mother of all Download debuts in the sub-headline slot and deliver a performance that leaves little doubt that when they return they will top the bill.

A Day To Remember then headline Opus and show their versatility again. Wherever you book them, they will deliver one of the most fun sets of the festival. They may feel further away from the top spot then a few years back, but you can’t ever envisage a time when they won’t deliver the goods.

Finally, it’s down to the reunited Linkin Park to closeout the entire weekend. With a monstrous crowd, and all the hype in the world, the band hit the stage with ‘The Emptiness Machine’ and don’t look back.

It’s worth noting that somehow Emily Armstrong is the first female headliner ever at Download. A massive moment, albeit many years too late and not without its own controversies. With so many amazing women in rock, we prey that it won’t be long before we see a truly organic headliner.

After a more ambient mid-set, the final run-in for Linkin Park is insane. ‘What I’ve Done’, ‘Numb’, ‘Heavy Is The Crown’, ‘Bleed It Out’, ‘Papercut’, ‘In The End’ and ‘Faint’ is one hell of a way to close out Download 2026.

With Linkin Park 2.0 and Download 2.0 showing us that with a mixture of nostalgia and new favourites, you can achieve wonderful results, we simply can’t wait to get back to Donington Park in 2027!

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Levellers

Levellers

UEA LCR, Norwich

Thursday 4th June 2026

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📷 Denis Gorbatov

LEVELLERs – Norwich – live review

Brighton folk-punks Levellers have long since secured their place in history. From their Britpop adjacent 90’s popularity and headlining Glastonbury, to creating their own much-loved festival Beautiful Days and their continuing longevity as a revered collective.

With festival season again upon us, the band are again out and about. Tonight they are at the UEA in Norwich where the typical British summer is in full flow. The weather doesn’t dampen the spirits of fans however as they queue round the block to get in and get their spot.

THE MEFFS

Early attendees are in for a treat as The Meffs have made the journey from Colchester to get us warmed up. Levellers have a knack for good supports, and this duo is one of the best new bands on the circuit right now.

They are given a generous opening set, and they absolutely make the most of it. With many Meffs t-shirts visible in the crowd it’s clear that many are already fans and for any in attendance not familiar, then they are soon converted with the crowd happily getting some crowd interaction practice in before the headliners.

With a new album on the way it’s great to see how new tracks ‘Business’ and ‘Disorder (Wake Up)’ fit in so seamlessly against fan favourites like ‘Broken Britain, Broken Bones’ and ‘Clowns’.

The Meffs are pretty faultless live with their punk energy always creating a fun atmosphere. Not many bands are going to be able to follow them in the future.

LEVELLERS

But that’s not a worry for Levellers, who are among the very best at bringing about a punk rock party full of singing and dancing!

You can feel the love from the audience immediately as they begin their set with ‘The Fear’ and ‘Hope St.’ from their fourth album, ‘Zeitgeist’, which turned thirty last year. Tonight though is centred around the thirty-fifth anniversary of their seminal sophomore album, ‘Levelling the Land’.

As such the vast majority of the album gets an airing this evening but intermixed with other tracks rather than the now standard album in full style celebrations. This works well and whilst giving the album the love it deserves ensures that this is still at its core just another big Levellers party.

The band are full of energy, and the crowd tonight are more than happy to reciprocate that passion. The likes of ‘One Way’ and ‘Beautiful Day’ naturally get big responses but its telling that the levels never drop throughout their performance. Levellers are indeed in blistering form.

Tonight is something of a teaser, an amuse-bouche if you will, for a full UK Tour this autumn which will also feature The Meffs in the opening slot (plus Neds Atomic Dustbin on select dates). On the evidence of this performance, those are shows that you will not want to miss.

Thankfully for those in attendance tonight, there is still time for an encore of ‘Far From Home’ and ‘The Riverflow’, which really is the cherry on top of the cake that this evening has been.

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Slam Dunk Festival

Slam Dunk

Hatfield Park

Saturday 23rd May 2026

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SLAM DUNK SOUTH 2026 REVIEW

The late May Bank Holiday means only one thing for rock fans – the start of festival season!

Yes, Slam Dunk is firmly rooted into the fabric of the scenes DNA, and we once again popped to Hatfield Park for the South version of the two-day event. Tomorrow the circus will travel to Temple Newsum in Leeds for the North edition of 2026’s event, but for today the sun is certainly shining on Hatfield.

Indeed, we are in the midst of a spring heatwave and that does add an element of lethargy to what is normally a full-throttle day of relentless music. Fans, as is always the case in these scenarios, seek out any inch of shade and the water points become as popular as the bars.

With only one tented stage this year, that shade is at a premium, but the water points do appear to cope with the demand unlike previous warm years. The queues for the bars are their usual busy selves but the wait for food (barring the ice cream vans) isn’t bad in our experience today.

That’s enough of the admin stuff though, let’s get to the music! We commence our full-on day in that tent with upstarts Call Me Amour who are playing their first ever festival. You wouldn’t tell as they make the most of the early excitement amongst the crowd to engage them immediately with a polished set of atmospheric rockers.

This festival is of course built both upon nostalgia but also a fair splattering of the best new bands on the scene. We catch perhaps the two biggest hopes of rock music at the moment next as Dead Pony captivate the tent and then unpeople bring the riffage to the sun-soaked main stage. Both you’d expect will become mainstays of this event as they work their way to the top of the bill.

Our first dose of nostalgia comes next as we stick on the main stage for A! The band are back with a new album, ‘PRANG’ (their first in two decades), and it’s great to see the crowd enjoying the likes of ‘Shit Summer’ and ‘Hello Sunshine’, just as much as ‘Starbucks’ and ‘I Love Lake Tahoe’. A mass line-dancing session accompanies ‘Kings of Lowestoft’ and ‘Nothing’ provides the perfect exclamation mark to a brilliant set.

Each year the festival changes up their stage types and locations as they try to shoehorn in as much music as possible. After complaints surrounding their double ended tent set-up, the Monster stages this year are outdoor side-by-side offerings, and we catch Set Your Goals next who clearly appreciate the love shown to them. The only issue with this set-up being the big sound-bleed from the larger outdoor side-by-side setup opposite.

Slam Dunk this year celebrates twenty years and it has been fascinating watching the event grow, expand and change throughout those years. Equally numerous bands on the line-up this year are celebrating their own various anniversaries which both makes their performances extra special and makes us feel extra old!

Over the course of the next couple of hours, we catch Trash Boat celebrating, ‘Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through’ and Boston Manor recognising, ‘Be Nothing’. It’s a unique variant of nostalgia when bands you consider to be newer are celebrating such anniversaries, but both bands do so stunningly in their own ways.

Trash Boat purely focus on that album, and the performance has a real throwback vibe throughout. Boston Manor, sandwich ‘Burn You Up’, ‘Lead Feet’, ‘Cu’, ‘Laika’ and ‘Stop Trying, Be Nothing’ between more recent bangers. Both sets though are memorable and with both bands announcing anniversary shows for later this year, fans will no doubt be motivated to check out the full shows.

We then head back to the main stage for an emotive serenade from Dashboard Confessional including their brilliant Spiderman hit ‘Vindicated’. After then enjoying the latter part of the stirring The Menzingers back over at the Monster stages we catch Tonight Alive who commence their performance with their own Spiderman hit ‘The Edge’!

The Australians deliver a fantastic performance which is amongst the best of the day and incorporate guest spots from Harmony Cavelle (South Arcade) and Bonnie Fraser (Stand Atlantic), not to mention a cover of Mumford & Sons (never expected to say that at Slam Dunk, but it was great!).

The clashes are always a conundrum for Slam Dunk goers and attendees are split between Tonight Alive, Taking Back Sunday on the main stage and the most-hyped band of the moment PRESIDENT who evidently draw a massive crowd to the heavy stages.

We then head into the tent again for a high energy VUKOVI performance and another dose of big-time modern nostalgia with Deaf Havana. With a set celebrating their seminal record, ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’, Deaf Havana provide the most emotive set of the day. The genuine outpouring of love for these songs clearly moving frontman James Veck-Gilodi as crowd and band share a beautiful moment together.

Going back to the ever-revolving stage set-ups of Slam Dunk, the tent this year has a literal revolving stage set-up which keeps changeovers to a minimum!

We conclude what has been another full pelt (see what we did there) day at Slam Dunk with main stage headliners Good Charlotte. The band announced a couple of huge arena shows this week and many mocked the band thinking they would struggle to sell them…

…Well, today they attract one of the biggest crowds we’ve witnessed for a Slam Dunk headliner. The show, the performance and the setlist all equally suggest that the Madden brothers will have no issue convening their fans again when they return.

With a never-ending parade of hits, there is plenty of singing for fans to do before going home. The band sign off with a run of ‘I Just Wanna Live’, ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’ and ‘The Anthem’. That ensures that as fans make that journey back home, they can once again reminisce about a wonderful day of music.

The sun is out, Slam Dunk is in the bag and festival season is underway – let’s gooooo!

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Millie Manders and the Shutup

Millie Manders and the Shutup

Waterfront Studio, Norwich

Saturday 25th April 2026

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Millie manders and the shutup – norwich – live review

📷Denis Gorbatov

As you drive into Norwich on this sunny Spring evening, football fans are exiting the nearby stadium having celebrated the final home game of the season. This is an opportunity to reflect on the endeavours of the past year together with like-minded people.

Many chants will be sung, and fans will lose their voices supporting their team. Often, you’ll leave these festivities with a renewed sense of hope and ambition for the future and a general sense of togetherness.

Well, those emotions all also ring true of a homecoming show from a much-loved musical artist. Indeed, tonight at the Waterfront Studio is another milestone for Millie Manders and the Shutup as they continue to win hearts and minds on their latest nationwide escapade!

ALL EARS AVOW

Opening proceedings this evening are Swindon’s alt-rockers All Ears Avow who released their debut album, ‘Horrors’ at the end of last year. A thoroughly enjoyable record, it’s no surprise that the album dominates their setlist this evening, kicking off with singles, ‘Young Horror’ and ‘A Night Like This’.

The band have just jumped on the second half of this tour and already feel at home with the Manders crowd, with those in attendance clearly appreciative of the bands ability to mix rock intensity with an innate danceability.

By the time their set comes to an end with ‘Fire’, the band have undoubtedly left a positive impression on those in attendance and reinforced why it’s always important to get in early and catch the support act!

MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP

A lightning-fast changeover means that fans don’t have long to wait until Millie Manders and the Shutup hit the stage and deliver a blistering opening trio of ‘Fun Sponge’, ‘Bacchus’ and ‘Windows’.

With a packed venue clearly in the party spirit, the gig tonight fits straight into that celebratory ethos. Manders and her Ted Army fanbase combine to create an electric atmosphere as the show continues with fan favourites ‘Shut Your Mouth’ and ‘Angry Side’.

It is a love-affair between band and fans and there is definitely love in the air tonight, especially with a couple of local fans celebrating their own wedding day at the gig.

Outside commentators will lazily attach the “outspoken” label on Manders, but in this space Manders is just stating the obvious with many of the songs tonight calling out injustices and standing up for the marginalised. The fact that Manders so passionately ensures that this is a safe space, just makes that feeling of togetherness feel even more powerful.

The entire set is jam packed with songs that you can’t help but sing along with including an incredible final run of ‘Bitter’, ‘Your Story’, ‘Rebound’ and ‘Not OK’. Throw in a fun cover of Limp Bizkit classic ‘Break Stuff’ and many in the audience will have no voices left comes the morning.

With new track ‘Age Disgracefully’ representing a glimpse of the future, it’s also hard not to have high hopes for what the future holds for a band that are building undeniable momentum.

So, whether you’re a football fan waiting for next seasons fixtures to be announced, or a Millie Manders fan waiting for that inevitable next tour, there is so much to be thankful for and plenty of reasons to be excited.

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Calva Louise

Calva Louise

Waterfront Studio, Norwich

Monday 20th April 2026

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Calva louise – norwich – live review

📷Denis Gorbatov

For fans engrossed in the world of Calva Louise, their current headline tour is a welcome opportunity to immerse themselves even further.

Tonight sees the second night of the tour arrive at the Waterfront Studio in Norwich and fans fill the venue early in anticipation of a big night of high-octane modern rock goodness.

KNIFE BRIDE

The evening begins with the arrival of the tour’s special guests KNIFE BRIDE. The Brighton quartet are quick to raise energy levels and it’s clear that many within the venue are already familiar with what the group has to offer.

Electric riffs, hearty hooks and enough pop elegance to enable you to sing those big choruses whilst banging your head and losing your mind. With new EP, ‘sorry about the plague’ out shortly, the likes of ‘crucify’ and ‘alone at the altar’ sound huge this evening and showcase a band in the process of taking a giant leap forward.

It’s an enthralling performance from KNIFE BRIDE with singer Mollie Clack coming across with real star power. By the time they close out their nine-song set with ‘WORTHY’, they have left everything on the stage and those in attendance know that they’ve seen a band worthy of their investment.

CALVA LOUISE

The back story of our headliners Calva Louise and how members Jess Allanic, Alizon Taho and Ben Parker assembled in the name of heavy music and heady storytelling is remarkable. Coming together from different corners of the earth to pursue their dream here in the UK, their journey is truly inspiring.

The world that they’ve built across their career thus far is thoroughly captivating and their latest album, ‘Edge of the Abyss’ really manages to bring the character of Louise to life.

What the trio achieve tonight is to further bring their world to life on an actual stage with a handcrafted set fitting of much bigger venues. This brings a grandiose feel to the performance, whilst keeping the immediate feeling of an intimate show.

Calva Louise aren’t just a theatrical delight however, and their musical talent shines tonight with ‘Edge of the Abyss’ at the heart of the setlist. Intermixing songs sung in English and Spanish, the universal language at play is kickass hard rock with a killer beat and intense delivery system.

‘Tunnel Vision’, ‘W.T.F.’, ‘Under the Skin’ and ‘Hate in Me’ represent the album incredibly well during a performance which is impossible to not become hypnotised by.

Whilst the focus is on their latest album, 2023’s ‘Over the Threshold’ record is also represented in the setlist including the big final track, ‘Oportunista’.

At the end of a stunning show, you can’t help but feel the momentum flowing through these two incredible bands. Both are evidently supremely talented and are ready to explode, so this tour has been a great chance for Norwich folk to get to experience the future of the alternative rock scene up close and personal!

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IST IST

IST IST

The Waterfront, Norwich

Thursday 9th April 2026

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IST IST – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

Sometimes the world just seems to be against you. This must feel like one of those days for IST IST as the first date of their headline tour almost gets derailed due to a run in with the DVSA.

A long delay and an urgent van swap means that the band only make it to the venue less than an hour before the scheduled door time. The band even stating that they were minutes away from needing to cancel their date with The Waterfront here in Norwich.

THE YOUTH PLAY

Thankfully after a short delay for fans waiting outside, those doors do open and the show is good to go with our opening act The Youth Play soon arriving on stage.

‘Maybe This Was All For Us’ introduces the crowd to the set and a band with plenty to offer. Indeed, much like our headliners, The Youth Play are a band with a layered sound that makes them difficult to pigeonhole.

Their early releases have displayed a shoegazey aesthetic but with an ability to cut through with melodies akin to The Cure. This isn’t lost tonight despite the band making quite the noise during their time on stage.

Whilst it seemingly takes the crowd a little while to warm up (probably because of the extended wait in the chilly spring evening), by the time the band exit the likes of ‘Last Day On Earth’ and ‘If We Just Ever Were’ have effectively gained their respect.

IST IST

It does feel like the audience are waiting obsessively for IST IST to arrive and this is no surprise given the cultlike following that the band have cultivated since arriving just under a decade ago.

In that time, they have delivered five well received albums including their latest, ‘DAGGER’, in February. It’s that record which is centre stage this evening with the fantastic ‘I Am The Fear’ beginning their performance before ‘Warning Signs’ and ‘Burning’ settle us in.

The setlist is carefully prepared to showcase their back catalogue whilst giving ‘DAGGER’ the platform that it deserves. The album is a contender for Album of the Year and it’s delightful tonight to see these songs take flight on the live stage.

It’s a professional and concise performance from the band this evening with crowd interaction mainly revolving around their anger towards the DVSA, but it’s clear to see the fond connection that exists between band and audience.

‘The Echo’ and ‘Makes No Difference’ represent two more highlights from ‘DAGGER’ whilst the likes of ‘Fat Cats Drown in Milk’, ‘Emily’ and ‘Night’s Arm’ give their fanbase some good cuts from the past.

Previous album, ‘Light a Bigger Fire’, also gets a lot love and an encore comprising ‘Encouragement’ and ‘Stamp You Out’ ensures that the passionate fanbase is sent back into the cold night with warm hearts.

Considering how close to a disastrous cancellation we got, you can’t help but appreciate the effort put in by IST IST both in getting to the venue and then still delivering a great performance.

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Mouth Culture

Mouth Culture

Voodoo Daddy’s, Norwich

Wednesday 8th April 2026

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MOUTH CULTURE – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

📷Denis Gorbatov

Sometimes as a live music fan you attend a gig where for a moment time stops around you and it dawns on you that you are witnessing something special.

Those packed like sardines into Voodoo Daddy’s in Norwich this week experience one of those moments when the entire crowd understand that they are the lucky ones. After all the venue is fully sold out and the next time our headliners come to town they will almost certainly be in a much bigger room.

CRYING IN COLOUR

Voodoo Daddy’s is a throwback underground venue (literally) and is always a great setting for a hot and sweaty rock gig. Norwich is a great music city and local openers Crying In Colour typify the burgeoning music scene which is again experiencing renewed vigour.

The band bring an early energy to proceedings, and their spirit is reciprocated by the audience, many of whom already seem familiar with the band. Even those uninitiated are able to sing along to a rocked-up cover of Vance Joy’s megahit ‘Riptide’.

With a style incorporating varied influences, the band appear to have a good foundation developing as they cultivate a sound of their own. Given they only released their first single under a year ago, it will be fascinating to see the journey that they embark on.

OVERGROWN

It’s been quite the journey already for the tour’s main support act Overgrown – again quite literally as the band hail from north of the border. Hitting the road with Mouth Culture is their first proper tour and will be an experience that will assist them enormously in their formative years.

This is a band who are already garnering much attention with their five released songs all doing great numbers on the usual streaming platforms. The live realm is entirely different however so shows like tonight will be incredibly important to their development.

Clearly though on the evidence of tonight, they are quick learners! Creating a fantastic shoegazey din that swallows the venue, they are able to cut through with emotive lyrics and an engaging performance that is nearly hypnotic.

Overgrown are undoubtedly another band that need to be followed with intent!

MOUTH CULTURE

After a bit of a breather, it’s then time for our headliners Mouth Culture to take to the Voodoo Daddy’s stage which with its cage design feels like an old school ECW show. The rabid fans are almost as feral as those 90’s wrestling fans and the band have the talent necessary to harness the atmosphere in order to create that special moment in time.

Opening duo ‘On and On’ and ‘Dead In Love’ instantly showcase a band smashing through barriers and making a real statement. Musically and vocally the band sound massive and the aesthetics of the venue and passion of the crowd elevate the show to truly memorable status.

Despite not having a debut album under their belt yet, the band are able to write a setlist which is packed full of early favourites and more recent standouts. In total the band deliver sixteen tracks and play over an hour as they prove themselves capable already of delivering a value for money headline performance.

From the quicker and heavier numbers to the handful of slower more tender moments, the show flows well and maintains the buzz in the venue. There really is magic in the air this evening as well as a considerable amount of sweat!

The obvious big moments such as ‘Sharkbait’ and ‘Ratbag’ are really big, but no moment feels wasted. Indeed, when the fans exit the venue and the cooler evening air hits their faces, it’s the entire show including the supports that everybody is raving about.

The consensus amongst those in attendance undeniably being that Mouth Culture are destined for bigger things. To go back to the earlier pro wrestling analogy, fans leave lucky enough to have seen the band causing a ruckus in the world of extreme, knowing that in a few years they will be headlining WrestleMania!

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Skinny Lister

Skinny Lister

Norwich Arts Centre

Saturday 6th December 2025

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SKINNY LISTER – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

📷Denis Gorbatov

It’s December, everything is festive, and Norwich folk in search of merriment need look no further than the Arts Centre because you can forget about the big red man for now – Skinny Lister are coming to town!

Word is obviously out because this fantastic former church is fully sold out and everyone packs in early to receive the everlasting gift of live music.

CLAUDIA KATE

Opening the show this evening is singer-songwriter Claudia Kate who claims this as a hometown show given her roots in the area. With her genuine charm and insightful tunes Kate is quickly able to endear herself to the townsfolk of Norwich.

With the audience onside, the likes of ‘Fat’ and ‘Stop the World’ are able to elicit real emotion in the room before ‘BIG TALK, little girl’ and set closer ‘Angry At Me’ stir even more belief. Kate sings of the personal and the political in a way that understands that they are often the same thing.

There is a wisdom and maturity in Kate’s songwriting which creates an air of confidence in her message and importantly in her talents. The reception provided by the audience tonight only backs that up.

VANDOLIERS

Main support for this tour comes from Texan country punks Vandoliers, who burst onto the stage with a passionate onslaught of their highly contagious musical blend. Punk attitude and country swagger merge into something uniquely engaging and from the first chords of ‘Life Behind Bars’ onwards their set is a blissful blur.

The six-piece are lively, and the songs are singalong inducing… so they fit in very well supporting Skinny Lister. The fans in the venue, many clearly already familiar with Vandoliers, all clearly think so too, and the atmosphere tonight just continues to grow in togetherness.

Frontwoman Jenni Rose is able to harness the good feelings in the venue to orchestrate their performance through a career-spanning set of enjoyable alt-country fusion. Rose then brings their set home by leading the audience through a big old sing-song – ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’.

SKINNY LISTER

The changeovers are all pretty swift this evening and that ensures that the spirit of merriment never wanes during the show. The arrival of Skinny Lister is therefore met with much joy, and the chaos quickly ensues with ‘Wanted’ and ‘Set Us Straight’.

Whether romping through punkier tracks like ‘Tragedy In A Minor’ or serenading us with softer singalongs ala ‘Colours’, Skinny Lister have the audience in the palm of their hands every step of the way.

Even with an aborted passage of the flagon during ‘Drinking Song’, the audience are still made to feel a part of the show. Singer Lorna Thomas steps into the crowd for a series of arm wrestling contests during ‘Arm Wrestling in Dresden’ and frontman Dan Heptinstall barters with the crowd for requests leading to a beautiful rendition of ‘Embers’.

Skinny Lister really do have an enate knack for making a sold out concert feel more like a close family gathering. A particularly drunken one where everyone has the best time and ends up singing arm-in-arm to their favourite songs.

Well, that’s how tonight ends anyway with Claudia Kate and Vandoliers joining in on final song, ‘Six Whiskies’, and the entire venue simply living their best lives. That’s the power of Skinny Lister and as you leave the venue and head out into the festive displays of the city you can’t help but reflect on what a magical evening that just was!

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Live Reviews

Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil

Epic Studios, Norwich

Sunday 23rd November 2025

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📸Denis Gorbatov

LACUNA COIL – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

Back in February, Italian metal favourites Lacuna Coil released their tenth studio album ‘Sleepless Empire’. Now as the year reaches its climax, UK fans are able to hear this songs come to life on stage.

The bands UK tour kickstarted in Southampton following a European run and tonight they arrive in a wet and dreary Norwich. Playing host is Epic Studios which continues to impress as a modern and spacious venue.

NONPOINT

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The show is a sell out and the venue is already full as our special guests Nonpoint hit the stage. The Floridians made their mark in the early 2000’s and are also ten albums deep into their career.

The group are given a solid forty-five minutes to play with and deliver a good account of their catalogue of songs for those in the audience that are already familiar. The delivery of those songs is as passionate as ever from a band who clearly just love doing what they do.

What they do this evening is bring sunshine state vibes to autumnal Norfolk! Their heavy groove is enticing enough to get the fans warmed up and the likes of ‘In the Air Tonight’ and set closer ‘Bullet With a Name’ limber up some voices also.

Frontman Elias Soriano repeats a few times that the band will return to the UK next year and with the ongoing resurgence of love for the nu-metal era, Nonpoint once again seem to have a point to prove!

LACUNA COIL

Soon enough the lights go down again and it’s our headliners Lacuna Coil who are warmly welcomed to the well-prepared stage. With the venues dexterousness allowing bands to utilise the built-in video screens, Lacuna Coil embrace the opportunity with some really stunning visuals.

As with every show at Epic Studios, this is a nice addition that adds extra layers to the performance. But… it is very much the performance itself from the band that is so engaging this evening.

Again, you can tell the band enjoy performing and that makes a real positive difference. Watching vocalists Andrea Ferro and Cristina Scabbia intertwining is mesmerising and is central to the uniqueness of the band. Equally however the fun being had by the other three members as they stalk the stage is just as noteworthy.

The key feature of the show tonight though is ‘Sleepless Empire’ itself with eight of the records eleven tracks aired. In a nineteen song setlist that represents 42% of the set and is truly an enormous vote of confidence in the album considering the vast range of material now in their arsenal.

This faith is well placed as the album is superb, and those sentiments are echoed by the responses to these tracks this evening. In particular ‘Gravity’ and ‘Oxygen’ are standout moments in the show tonight and ‘Never Dawn’ is given the prestige of the final song of the evening.

Whilst there is a good mix of tracks presented from the rest of their albums, it is ‘Sleepless Empire’ that shines tonight. This is clearly a good time to catch the band with fresh and exciting material and an experienced live capability combining to great effect.

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Live Reviews

Pale Waves

Pale Waves

Waterfront, Norwich

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

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pale waves – norwich – live review

Twelve months ago, Pale Waves unveiled their fourth studio album ‘Smitten’ – an album which explored singer Heather Baron-Gracie’s romantic experiences following a revisit of her teenage diary.

The personal themes were reflected within the more intimate sound of the record and struck a chord with the groups increasingly dedicated fans. The tour in support of the album was equally well received and now the band are back on the road with the ‘Still Smitten’ tour.

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EMMMA

Tonight finds the run of dates well underway as a wet and windy Norwich welcomes them to The Waterfront.

Support comes from EMMMA (“with three m’s so you can find me easier”) an alt-pop powerhouse who confidently grabs the audience and leads them through an enchanting set of emotional melodies.

EMMMA herself demonstrates the dexterity of multi-instrumental ability during her performance but it is her voice and presence that win over the audience this evening.

PALE WAVES

It’s then over to our headliners Pale Waves who start their own performance with two ‘Smitten’ tracks – ‘Perfume’ and ‘Not a Love Song’. Looking around the room, you can see the love that the audience have for the band as they seemingly hang off every lyric and every note.

The atmosphere soon kicks up a gear as fan favourites ‘Eighteen’, ‘Lies’ and ‘You’re So Vain’ follow on. The band are tight, and the performance is somehow both methodical and organic, with Baron-Gracie coming across as a real star.

Her aura manifests to a new plane during a hauntingly moving rendition of The Cranberries ‘Zombie’, which is a real highlight of the evening. ‘There’s a Honey’, ‘Change’ and ‘Red’ then ensure that the audience’s singing voices are well tested.

The main portion of the set flip-flops between older favourites ‘My Obsession’ and ‘Television Romance’, and ‘Smitten’ takes ‘Kiss Me Again’ and ‘Glasgow’.

The mix of the setlist this evening is pretty career spanning and gives the fans a power hour of engaging pop-punk glory. An encore of ‘She’s My Religion’ and ‘Jealousy’ is enough to send the crowd back out into the cold realities of the world.

Tonight has been a great escape from those realities and fans will be keen to escape again in the world of Pale Waves. Given the prolificacy of the band, you’d imagine they are already working on a follow-up but for now we’re still smitten!

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