Band Night
Don't forget that the Festival runs for another six days, and that there will be free live music on the Festival Gardens' 'Band Stand' stage on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
I love the Norfolk & Norwich Festival for all of the big-name international artists, circus acts and performers that they bring to our fine city during the packed two-week programme in May each year. However, two of my favourites are the Band Stand sessions featuring local young musicians performing in the early evenings ahead of the Spiegeltent shows, and the dedicated Band Night presented inside the Spiegeltent and curated by BBC Introducing.
Those who have visited Chapelfield Gardens during this year's Festival cannot have helped noticing that the Band Stand is currently undergoing restoration work. However, consult your Festival programme and you will see that the musical Band Stand events are still taking place, but on a small stage inside the Festival Gardens, at the Theatre Street side of the site. Do check the Festival programme for dates and times – these sessions are completely free, and a chance to check out the up and coming local musical talent.
The other regular event, which takes place inside the Spiegeltent itself, is the Band Night. Hosted this year by BBC Introducing's Angelle Joseph, the evening featured four young local acts hand-picked by the BBC Introducing team.
First up was Lydia Fay (aka Lfay), a young singer songwriter originally from Dickleburgh, near Diss, who I first heard performing from the top of an open-topped bus, and wearing a tiger mask, at the Wild Fields Festival in Earlham Park two summers ago. This time she is performing with a five piece band that includes Wild Paths promoter Ben Street on drums. For fans of both old school hip-hop and urban jazz, you will love the playful and honest spin that Lfay and her band put into their songs.
Mama Oh No is another locally-sourced act, and one that has been an active part of the Norwich music scene for a few years now. Originally formed by Cromer friends Jack Gascoigne and Simon Reinhardt, it was Jack's vocals that really defined the band's psych-surf sound – he reminds me of Reef's Gary Stringer with both his power and presence. The band is now very much a family affair – Jack is now accompanied by sisters Issy on bass, and Tordi on keys and vocals, and by his partner Rhi on drums. The result is a more balanced, more bass and reverb based sound, and really rocks. Mama, Yes Please.
Bury St Edmunds raised Pozzy is rapidly becoming a name on the North London rap scene and, although he does not come with a band, he commands the stage with a presence that is both beguiling and charismatic, whilst it is left to BBC Introducing's Angelle Joseph to look after the technical side of things. Highlight of his set is 'Might Go Out', a song that went viral went its video was uploaded to BBC 1Extra. But for me, anyone who can rhyme 'hustlin' with 'dustin', and 'Kentucky Fried' with 'Park and Ride', is well cool in my book.
The final act is Alice-Lily a neo-soul singer with an absolutely gorgeous voice, and performing with a live band that includes both keyboards and saxophone. Not to be confused with the Birmingham grunge band of the same name, London-born and Norwich-bred Alice-Lily is the real deal – soulful and smooth jazz-tinged vocals that are showcased by a band that compliments, but never drowns out the songs. No wonder Alice-Lily has been named as one of BBC Introducing's 'Ones To Watch'.
So, another great Band Night in the Spiegeltent, even if one of the acts was not really a band. And it was a shame that the drummers had to be pushed back into a little alcove at the back of the stage – it would have been nice to have seen, as well as hear, them. Otherwise, it a great line-up, and thanks to BBC Introducing's Angelle Joseph and Amy Nomvula for curating the event.
Don't forget that the Festival runs for another six days, and that there will be free live music on the Festival Gardens' 'Band Stand' stage on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check the Festival programme for timings, and the Festival Gardens posters for the line-up. And enjoy the rest of your Festival.
