Jaws

Since emerging around 2013 in the B-town (that is, Birmingham) movement, JAWS have dabbled with success but never quite broken through. The oceanic textures and slacker-pop melodies of 2014 debut ‘Be Slowly’ rightfully earned them a sizeable teen following, its follow-up ‘Simplicity’ landing last year and taking the group’s scuzzy sound to the next level. Downstairs at The Waterfront is about a quarter full for their biggest Norwich headliner to date, but the foursome put on a kick-ass show anyway.

Precursor Nelson Can are an unexpected opening act, the Danish trio producing an ethereal blend of upbeat pop which echoes the likes of Haim and PJ Harvey. Along with a drummer and a bassist, Selina Gin’s epic vocal moves from airy to deep and rhythmic with ease, and her confidence when addressing the small audience eases away any tensions from the room.

LED-lit logo emblazoned across the back of the stage, JAWS’ arrival is greatly celebrated. Diving straight in with the effervescent Surround You, the foursome, fronted by 24-year-old Connor Schofield, groove collectively while the lively crowd sing back every word. Older cuts have been knocked into exciting new shapes, Think Too Much, Feel Too Little turning the room into a blissful paradise. Their newer material underlines the stylistic development between album one and two; Work It Out is a glorious nugget of ambient-pop, and Just A Boy is one of Schofield’s best, lyrically. “I’m just a boy, but I’ll be a better man”, he sings, alongside every other voice in the room. Energy levels peak early and stay high, and a solid mosh pit has erupted by the time shimmery single Gold signals time.

It’s unfair that JAWS can’t pack out this venue when they’ve got the image, the tunes, and the permanently enjoyable live experience all on their résumé. Come album three hopefully things will be different, but for now JAWS remain one of the most underrated gems in current British indie.