BBC Introducing in Norfolk's 10th Birthday Party
This month BBC Introducing hits double digits with each county bringing something along to the party for a knees up celebration. Some counties bring a big bag of triangular crisps, others a six pack of Belgium beers, and in Norfolk we’re putting deep dish pizzas and a big bottle of Malibu on the table. Because we know how to party.
As for tonight's anniversary gig, it's a school night so things are looking pretty tame to start with. Maya Law hangs out in the crowd then casually walks on stage, and jumps straight into her set. Kicking off with Teenage Cliché and Take Me Under, Maya looks and sounds like an effortless artist, - she's casual with her open lyrics and soothing upbeat sounds. Then comes The Breeze, and for some reason Maya doesn't seem to confidant when introducing this track, even suggesting that now might be a good time for anyone to bust the crust. These ears couldn't hear why she'd be concerned, it seems like she nailed it without any audible troublesome parts of the track for her. Throwing a cover into the set, again Maya doesn't seem massively confidant about this track either, encouraging the crowd to sing along, loudly. A plus and sweetness about her unfortunate lack of confidence is her nervous laughing while singing and playing - these little outbursts give a casual characterisation to her performance. What's the worse that could happen, only your mic falling off the stand as you wrap the track up as long as your singing, playing and presence are on point. Maya’s brother, D’lore who you'll recognise from The Piratones, joins her on stage for Conscious At Home. A really chilled hip hop track and the pair's vocal styles harmonising is a prefect end. It was nice being able to see Maya bounce of someone live, as she's recently been doing a lot of mixing with Allergy Kid for official releases, although maintains her acoustic sets for gigs. Which is cool, because you'll hear a different Maya from seeing her live and listening to her on Soundcloud - the girl is full of nice surprises. She ends her set with The Wrong One and Take it From Me, to a packed out room of clappers, whoopers and cheerers.
Mullally’s band get set up and out of nowhere he’s up on stage and kicking out Wonderful. He's cutting the chat tonight, which he admits he likes, but tonight is about the music, so he’ll be fitting as much soul as possible into his set. Into Troubled Love, it's clear to the crowd that Mullally has got to be Dane Bowers' wettest dream. He's doing things for neo soul that Dane couldn't quite maintain in the heavy RnB days of the 90’s, and at such a young age. He hits the highs in all his tracks, and chatting to the crowd every now and again he's solid G. After kicking off with some stompers, Mullally brings it down with Overdose and a ballad Honest. This dude is so smooth, if children haven't been conceived tonight I'd be shocked. The crowd get a proper new one, Sweet Coffee. The tempo raises again, with another new track, a cover of Shape Of You and his big hit She Don't Know Me. Mullally has the voice, tunes, moves and stage presence of an arena artist, and with talent like that and the help of BBC Intro in Norfolk it really won't be long before you’ll have to wrestle the rest of Norfolk and England for tickets to see him live.
Before the night of celebrations draws to an end, all the thanks are shouted and clapped out for BBC Introducing. Mullally gave a big happy birthday to Sophie Little, with flowers and cake, and everyone sings along for a rendition of the special day classic, Happy Birthday To You followed by a big thanks, hug and booze for the big BBC Intro in Norfolk G-dawg Gary Standley. Mullally wraps up the celebrations with a brand new song for the crowd and a final big thanks to everyone from the BBC Intro in Norfolk team and the crowd, as he slides off stage to a roar of pure joy.
Happy BBC Introducing to everyone, here's to the next 10 years!
