It’s rare to see a band at the Norwich Arts Centre after seeing them twice at the UEA LCR, however for The Automatic I’ll consider it a treat to get to see them at such an intimate venue. Kick starting the evening with recent single Interstate which the vocal reminds me heavily of James Dean Bradfield. Quickly firing through old favourites such Raoul and Recover, along with a few new tunes. Monster appeared mid set to a rather lacklustre crowd response (shame on you Norwich). However set closer Steve McQueen was met with a much better response, so perhaps the young crowd are recently acquired fans.

Lets see The Automatic return soon to a larger stage and a fuller crowd, in the mean time we’ll enjoy the new album Tear The Signs Down.

View The Automatic photos on flickr here

The Welsh rockers The Automatic are heading to the Norwich Arts Centre on 22nd March to play us some new tunes from their forthcoming third album, Tear The Signs Down. Hopefully also playing some of their older greats like Monster, Steve McQueen and Raoul. I managed to ask the band a few questions ahead of the gig.

Buy tickets to The Automatic at Norwich Arts Centre

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Well it’s the start of that time of year where all the summer music festivals announce their line-ups and Latitude announced the headlines this evening. The three main headliners on the Obelisk arena are Florence and the Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend. Others confirmed include Empire of The Sun, The Maccabees, The Horrors, The National, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Grizzly Bear, The XX and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Some non-music acts to note include the brilliant poet John Cooper Clarke, comedian Rich Hall, the grumpy Arthur Smith is appearing in the Literary Arena and the nabokov theatre group.

Got to go and shoot photos for work the other night at this year’s NME Awards Tour, which featured The Maccabees (above), Bombay Bicycle Club, Big Pink and The Drums. I ended up also having to write a review as my journalist friend forgot that he was away on a training course all week, you can read my review here. it’s rather satisfying seeing your name in a newspaper, even when you have worked for one for nearly seven years.

Photos from the gig can be found on flickr

This is a rather delayed post, no excuse I know. Some of you may remember the Joy Formidable playing at the Norwich Arts Centre as a Christmas style gig, well there were fairy lights and Christmas trees galore. Well Joy Formidable, who I hadn’t heard of prior to the gig were really really good and I recommend giving them a listen as soon as you can.

Photos from the night can be found on flickr

Jason Perry - Holds court to over 150 eager fans

Last night saw ‘A’ return to East Anglia after a 5 year hiatus to play a warm-up gig at The Marquee before their UK tour starts on Saturday in Oxford. The night started with Lowestoft high energy rockabilly band Claw of Panther. Followed by Atlas and I who did well to get the crowd moving even if most were waiting in the bar for ‘A’. Brighton’s This City made the journey to Norwich to play with ‘A’ who they are supporting on the rest of the tour around the UK.

By the time ’A’ took to the stage the back room was absolutely jam packed, easily the fullest I’ve ever seen it. They then proceeded to play all the hits the crowd wanted to hear, despite the terrible PA system of The Marquee cutting and crackling. Would be great to see them back in Norwich again perhaps at the Waterfront or UEA where the sound would be better.

Click here for more photos on Flickr

A trio of bands and one poet graced the stage at the B2 on Sprowston Road tonight. After the poet from Ipswich (who’s name I can’t remember) Faster Than Robots bringing their Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr influence rock to the crowd. Then followed Tommy Twist and the Why Thinkers with a two-part set of acoustic and electric. Followed up by the heavily Von Bondies-esque Camarilla who had some wonderful two girl harmonies going on.

Head to the B2 tomorrow night for We Were Promised Jet Packs supported by The Barlights and The Brownies.

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Console Wars took this year’s prize as the Next Big Thing at the UEA LCR, in what was described as the closest event yet by the judges. With only a single point separating them from runner-up Alloy Ark. All six of the finalists put on a great performance along with last year’s winner Ed Sheeren.

Update: Video footage over at EDP24

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After a long hiatus “A” are about to hit the road again on their first headlining tour in four years with dates across the UK. Of course with the band hailing from Suffolk they are playing a warm-up gig at The Marquee in Norwich on 25th November. I spoke to drummer, Adam “Yin” Perry about what the band have been up to and the future of the band.

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Surrey rock band Hundred Reasons are making their way to The Waterfront, Norwich next month on the 10th November. They have been around for a few years, now with a new record label and their fourth album Quick the Word, Sharp the Action, being re-released earlier this year. They have been working their way around the UK playing some great gigs.

Listen to them on iTunes and remind yourself how great tunes like Silver and I’ll find You are.

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