Local Natives Live @ Norwich Art Centre
Let’s face it, Norwich Art Centre is light years ahead of any similar size venues I attend for gigs. They have a knack of being one step ahead with bookings as well. Over the last six months we have been entertained by both Mumford & Sons and the Temper Trap – not bad for a 290 capacity venue. For those not in the know, this is a converted church in the city centre complete with arches and windows. Along with that, helpful and friendly staff & sympathetic security. Above all, a discerning regular crowd of music lovers. Anyway, onto the gig! I went with high expectations – let’s face it, Local Natives debut Gorilla Manor is pretty damn fine!
First to the stage tonight were local boys The Great Shakes. Those who have followed me in my Rock Sellout days will be aware of these guys. Full of catchy melodies and pop sensibilities, they always deliver well constructed tunes worthy of a wider audience. Tonight was no exception and the venue gave them a well deserved reception. They are well worth checking out for “Tomorrow Will Be Ours” alone.
Peggy Sue…oh my they brought my evening to life from the moment they took the stage. This Brighton trio are yet another reason I am so taken by modern folk music. Great stage presence and a whole array of instruments to accompany just stunning vocals. I was waiting for the kitchen sink to follow the washboard! The songs were well delivered with great percussion, it was almost tribal at times. That’s the great thing about folk it takes on a whole different lease of life in a live setting. The girls even managed to deal with a drunken heckler mid-set. Mind you he was in severe danger of being dealt with by the crowd. Sometimes I wonder why these idiots bother to come!
You see Peggy Sue are a breath of fresh air amongst the all the electronic-driven female artists that seem to be en vogue at the moment. Tracks like “Watchman” and “Lazarus” even have a Velvet Underground feel to them if you listen closely. That’s not so say there is not a softer side to the band, like in “Lover Gone”. They even found time to fit in a Missy Elliot cover!
The crowd appreciation would not of been out of place for a headlining act. Peggy Sue are a band I look forward to featuring a lot more on the site. For me, they almost stole the show. My only complaint? There was not time for more from them!
Silver Lake’s Local Natives have a lot to live up to as the comparisons with everyone from Fleet Foxes through to Broken Social Scene keep rolling in. The air was thick with anticipation as they took to the stage, any fears of them not delivering disappeared into the night air as the sweet harmonies of “Camera Talk” opened the set. One of the many highlights of the evening, it has a real 80s pop feel thrown in for good measure. The tribal rhythmic afro-beats suited the great acoustics echoing around the building
The whole set showcased just why these guys are so hotly tipped for big things in 2010. There is no need for fancy lighting effects or taped backing tracks with music this good. It stands on its own merits. Every track was breathtakingly good, I guess for most of the crowd “Airplane” will be the biggest memory from the night. Having really played the album to death I think “Wide Eyes” stole the show for me, live it just shows every facet of the band at its best!
There was that communal feel both from the band and the crowd last night, almost a mutual appreciation. One thing is for sure, Norwich will welcome back Local Natives with open arms. If you have tickets for the rest of the tour, enjoy these guys in an intimate setting while you can. Some thanks in order to Anton for the listing, Chris the tour manager and Mark Local Natives front of house sound engineer, great job! Finally, thanks to Pauline for the shots of Great Shakes and Peggy Sue, and Steve Hunt for Local natives!
http://www.myspace.com/localnatives
http://www.myspace.com/peggywho
http://www.myspace.com/thegreatshakesmusic
Tags: local natives, peggy sue, the great shakes
Great review Mark,
Far more insightful than some and not a “cheque”(sic) shirt in sight! It was a great night. Everyone seemed at ease with each other, it was like having mates round to jam at your house, albeit very talented mates!
I was glad to have been there to witness it. Quality throughout the bill.
yea I agree Steve was a great show all round thats the best thing about the Art Centre crowd in general all know good music and you get a great view wherever you are in the place it’s so my favourite venue in Norwich was saying to someone today by the time the bands get to the UEA i have either seen them at Art centre or lost interest in them takes a lot to drag me up there nowadays