COLIN WILSON The first Dumduckerdum festival kicks takes place around Norwich at several venues.

COLIN WILSON

The Dumduckerdum festival kicks-off this Friday running until Sunday with concerts taking place at several venues across Norwich.

One highlight of the opening day is Stephanie Dosen - whose debut album A Lily for the Spectre has been one of the most acclaimed releases of 2007 - plays Norwich Arts Centre (7.30pm). Reviews for this folk-tinged singer from Wisconsin have seen her compared to many legendary singers such as Joni Mitchell, Nina Nastasia and Sinead O'Connor. Stephanie is backed by violin, cello, drums and bass. The line-up is completed by Jacob Golden, a passionate, emotional singer songwriter from California who attracted attention in Norwich recently supporting Catherine Feeny, Norwich's feisty Lizzy and a new Norwich discovery, Alex Carson. (£8).

Saturday's highlights include a headlining appearance from post-folk band Gravenhurst at Norwich Arts Centre (7pm). Their new album The Western Lands has been universally praised as one of the finest of 2007. Supporting is Sarabeth Tucek who arrives direct from an American tour with Bob Dylan. This will be her only small-scale show UK outside London. Also on the bill are Leicester's Americana mavericks Pacific Ocean Fire, and Norwich's Radio 1-championed Rory McVicar.

E-Z Rollers top a bill of late-night drum 'n' bass at The Talk, Oak Street (10pm-4am). With a reputation spanning the globe, they're probably best known for Walk This Land which featured in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The gig will see a stage performance with Lady Roller, Messy MC and band.

On Sunday Dumduckerdum present a teenage rampage at Norwich Arts Centre (7pm) headlined by Violet Violet, The Kabeebies, The Lidi Berlins and Indigo Jam providing more than capable support. Smoosh are no longer playing.

Over at the Waterfront (7.30pm) Norwich's two top music exports, hip-hoppers Def Tex and guitar art-rock mercenaries The Neutrinos are joint headliners of a bill that also includes post punks Gramme (cited by LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip as a major influence) playing their first gig for seven years and the Norwich funk/punk dance machine that is Ray Brower.

On top of all this there are lots of daytime activities, many of them free at the Playhouse Bar, Norwich Arts Centre, Dragon Hall (King Street), EPIC (Magdalen Street) and the Workshop (Earlham Road). These feature the likes of Pete Molinari, the Challenge of Feral Green and DJ Tom Ravenscroft, son of the late John Peel.

Tickets for all events from the Norwich Arts Centre box office on 01603 660352; a weekend pass is also available for £30.

Further details at www.dumduckerdum.org.uk and in our online listings on EDP24.

t Note late changes to the programme: Friday's concert at St Andrew's Hall with the Basquiat Strings has been cancelled. The two main support bands The Blow and Nancy Wallace will now play at The Playhouse on Saturday from noon. And as mentioned, Smoosh will not now be at Sunday evening's gig at the Norwich Arts Centre.