The music scene around Norwich has always been thriving but this year looks especially exciting. Having managed to tempt Stereophonics to perform a warm-up show for their end of year world tour in September, this year certainly has something to live up to.
The Supergrass and the-Britpop-gods-that-are James gigs in April go a long way to give this year a boost in the right direction. NME favourites and supposed saviours of Mancunian music, The Courteeners also hit Norwich in April on the night that the band of 2007, The Wombats, play a sell out gig in the very same city. Air Traffic round off April playing songs from last years criminally understated album, Fractured Life, making it a month to remember in a summer that will only get better.
The festival season kicks off with a series of concerts set in Thetford Forest with The Zutons’ welcome return to the East for the first time in two years, always promising a real live show. KT Tunstall will show why she is still the UK’s best female singer songwriter when she plays the Forest as part of her UK and US tour. Status Quo complete the trio of gigs, one for the dads there maybe. The gigs haven’t stopped in Norwich itself though with the genre swapping Lostprophets, rejuvenated Robyn’s electro pop, the catchy up and coming Black Kids and possibly the most exciting poet of today Scroobius Pip all playing around the city in June.
Latitude has to be the pinnacle of the East’s music calendar with the likes of Sigur Rós, Death Cab for Cutie, Elbow, The Go! Team, Franz Ferdinand, The Mars Volta and Grinderman all announced on the music stage so far with many big names in the world of comedy, poetry, theatre and even cabaret appearing. The Thetford Forest gigs make a return with Crowded House, Mcfly and Katherine Jenkins all appearing, with Meatloaf even playing at Blickling Hall. None of this is before legend Eddy Grant plays in Norwich. Plus American emo-power-pop cult star The Rocket Summer plays what could be one of the best small gigs of the year.
