The Regrettes / Anti Despair Machine

Promoting and putting on shows is a hard task and not for the fainthearted. We asked a new local promoter Anti Despair Machine to tell us about how their first night went and what's next...

Anti Despair Machine is a brand new indie night bringing the best up-and-coming artists to Norwich who, tbh, you probably haven’t heard of yet, with an emphasis on unearthing the freshest, most diverse talent around. The inaugural edition went down in May, with a gripping Arts Centre headline performance from Brighton post-punk outfit Thyla, and round two is just around the corner.

 Coming to the OPEN Club Room on Tuesday 21st August, this second show will see Los Angeles teen rockers The Regrettes drop by for an intimate warm up gig ahead of – steady on – opening the main stage at Reading + Leeds Festivals. Yeah, you read that right. Fronted by 17-year-old Lydia Night and completed by Genessa Gariano (21, guitar) and Sage Chavis (20, bass) the band are emerging as a hot tip on both sides of the pond, earning praise and a devoted underground following for their riotous mix of pure punk energy, rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll and wide-reaching lyrical positivity. As well as sharing stages with the likes of Kate Nash, Bleached, Cherry Glazerr, and SWMRS, the trio recently paid a visit the UK, dropping by The Great Escape and Dot to Dot festivals where they packed rooms to the rafters with folk eager to see what the buzz is all about. 

If that weren’t enough for ya, there’s still two fantastic local supports to be announced soon (shh!) as well as some freebies (Stickers! Tote bags!) to get your mitts on. How, you ask? Head over to Facebook and Twitter for all the goss.