Norwich Sound + Vision, Day One // 10.10.2013

Norwich Sound + Vision, Day One // 10.10.2013

It’s that time of year again. Time to get limbered up for running between venues, dodging the rain. Yep, it is NS+V 2013.

Having failed to get to the Garage for The Rumble (who, from past experience, are pretty special), things get started with the scuzzy There’s Someone In The Pond. If I’m honest, not the best gig I’ve seen ‘em play, perhaps down to a gremlin striking during opener “The Crab”. Still, excellent nonetheless and it is always good to hear the likes of “Peter” and “Slow and Sexy”. (8/10)

On to the Birdcage for a change of pace and Abi Wade. I must confess, this almost classical/jazz take on things is not my usual thing. For all I know there could be hundreds of cellists who sing whilst providing percussion using hand, bow and stick on the body of their instrument and playing tambourine, box and cowbell with a foot but Wade’s performance was sublime and I look forward to hearing the likes of “Heavy Heart” and “Faker” in the future. (9/10)

Back to the Hog for PINS. Due to the schedule, we only catch one song so can’t really give an opinion. Their recorded work is pretty good in a post-punk/alt-rock vein.

So, Cinema City next for Nordic Giants. A mysterious duo of a drumming guitarist and a keys and trumpet player. Despite looking like refugees from GWAR or Lordi, NG play a potent strain of post-rocking electronic, hinting at Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Eno and Moby’s more ambient moments in front of the big screen showing short films that veer from beautiful to deeply disturbing via surreal. The visuals are clearly important but songs like “Together”, “Speed The Crow’s Nest” and “Little Bird” work with or without them. To resort to an over-used term, awesome. (10/10)

Onwards to NAC, with the intention of seeing Horse Party only to find the running order had changed and they had been and gone. Disappointed to miss HP but DOE were plying their grunge/alt thing to good effect. Clearly influenced by the Pixies, with some nifty Sonic Youth style guitar breakdowns going on, this was promising rather than brilliant but I’ll be keeping an ear out for them. (7/10)

Bring on tomorrow and Saturday.

Pavlis

It's that time of year again. Time to get limbered up for running between venues, dodging the rain. Yep, it is NS+V 2013. Having failed to get to the Garage for The Rumble (who, from past experience, are pretty special), things get started with the scuzzy  There'sSomeone In The Pond. If I'm honest, not the best gig I've seen them play, perhaps down to a gremlin striking during opener "The Crab". Still, excellent nonetheless and it is always good to hear the likes of "Peter" and "Slow and Sexy". (8/10) On to the Birdcage for a change of pace and Abi Wade. I must confess, this almost classical/jazz take on matters is not my usual thing. For all I know there could be hundreds of cellists who sing whilst providing percussion using hand, bow and stick Wade's performance was sublime and I look forward to hearing the likes of "Heavy Heart" and "Faker" in the future. (9/10) Back to the Hog for PINS.  Due to the schedule, we only catch one song so can't really give an opinion. Their recorded work is pretty good in a post-punk/alt-rock vein. So, Cinema City next for Nordic Giants. A mysterious duo of a drumming guitarist and a keys and trumpet player. Despite looking like refugees from GWAR or Lordi, NG play a potent strain of post-rocking electronic, hinting at Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Eno and Moby's more ambient moments in front of the big screen showing short films that veer from beautiful to deeply disturbing via surreal. The visuals are clearly important but songs like "Together", "Speed The Crow's Nest" and "Little Bird" work with or without them. To resort to an over-used term, awesome. (10/10) Onwards to NAC, with the intention of seeing Horse Party only to find the running order had changed and they had been and gone. Disappointed to miss HP but DOE were plying their grunge/alt thing to good effect. Clearly influenced by the Pixies, with some nifty Sonic Youth style guitar breakdowns going on, this was promising rather than brilliant but I'll be keeping an ear out for them. (7/10)