In this new monthly feature, Sara Davey from UEA Student's Union talks us through upcoming events at the LCR and Waterfront in Norwich, looks at their favourite gig of the month and shares some of her favourite reactions from social media...
Gig season may have slowed down to make way for festivals, but we are keeping ourselves busy with booking in shows for the rest of the year. Here are some of our highlights…
• It's not new news but Erasure will be at The LCR on 22nd February 2018, and it's looking like a sell out! If you want to join us for an evening with synth-pop royalty, we recommend booking sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
• Airbourne are coming back! The band describe themselves as 'the walking, talking, living, breathing, screaming, spitting, fist-pumping embodiment of all that hard rock has encompassed since the movement began' and we're not going to disagree. They were here on Friday 18th November last year, they're here Saturday 18th November this year. Celebrate an anniversary with us!
• Calling all Screaming Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Gutter Twins fans! The legendary Mark Lanegan Band will be at The Waterfront on Tuesday 28th November.
• Malevolent kings of British metal and masters of the darkest arts and crafts, Cradle of Filth will be emerging from the deepest, darkest shadows of Suffolk on Thursday 9th of November, to take to the stage at The Waterfront.
• Summer 2015 saw Nelly sell out The LCR so fast, we added a second date just a few nights later, so it made sense to bring him back! If you missed out last time, or still want more, get to The LCR on Friday 1st December.
• Earlier this year we saw hip hop and grime star J Hus sell out The Waterfront. He'll be making a return, this time to The LCR, on Saturday 11th November. Most other dates on this tour have sold out already so we'd recommend acting fast!
• If you haven't heard Wolf Alice's new single 'Yuk Foo' yet, then where have you been? If you have heard it, then imagine it live! Luckily, Wolf Alice are playing at The LCR on Friday 17th November so you can hear it for yourselves.
• Finally, King of Party himself Andrew WK will be at The Waterfront on Sunday 12th November. Andrew WK returns to the stage with his full band for the first time in five years on 'The Party Never Dies Tour'.
From the archives: Meltdown Live – Thursday July 14th 2005
We have always been keen to support the local community and the network of talented artists we are lucky to have in Norwich and the wider area – whether it's dedicated local band nights, offering the opportunity to open up for touring acts or open mic nights. Meltdown Live Part 21 was a belter of a show, a night of local garage rock excellence.
We missed Meltdown Live so much we've bought it back! Head to The Waterfront on Saturday 5th August and support your local music scene. The line-up for this one includes Doom Metallers Nervewrecker, five piece metal band Thicket of Antlers, Algae Bloom who describe themselves as 'all screaming all the time' and Soyuz Rats, who are allegedly 'trying to contact polterghosts through the medium of guitar orientated rock'.
What people said
Glastonbury has obviously been the hot topic recently and despite differing reviews, we were proud to see Ed Sheeran gracing the main stage after his humble beginnings locally – and so was Twitter!
'About 10 years ago, my son's then band were playing at the Waterfront in Norwich above Ed S. How time flies.' - Yvonne Johnston
'Ed Sheeran might be headlining #Glastonbury2017 but rapping about Nandos in a car park with Example is still the best song he's ever made.' - Elliot Hackney
'The Waterfront Norwich in 2011 to The Pyramid Stage #glastonbury2017. Can't help but feel happy for @edsheeran. What a guy!' - Ryan Pearce
We also really enjoyed reading peoples comments and seeing photos from the Flaming Lips' performance on Monday 26th June! Looks like everyone had as much fun as we did.
Gig of the month
It has to be the Flaming Lips! Glitter, confetti, intense strobes, a unicorn being ridden around the venue, the lead singer zorbing out on top of the audience whilst covering David Bowie, dancing animals, dancing eyeballs, a big inflatable rainbow, inflatable mushrooms and great, great songs. That has to be one of the most spectacular shows we have had at The LCR, and personally, I was in my happy place – it looked like the rest of the crowd were too!
The band hadn't been here since supporting Mercury Rev in 1999 so it was a real joy to have them back, and to have them headline. As well as all the props and theatrics, the band were musically on point, the set list was great and the audience seemed to be having a great time. What more is there? I can't say we enjoyed the clean-up operation afterwards, however – but it was so worth it!
• Have you been to a gig at UEA/Waterfront recently? What did you think, let us know in the comments below.
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