Oxjam Norwich Festival 2014 launch night, with Dumbfoundus, Dr Clyde, Feral Mouth, Dove and Boweevil, at OPEN, Norwich, 2 October 2014. Review and photos by Richard Shashamane, full Festival Saturday write up to follow.
The 2014 Oxjam Norwich Festival kicked off in earnest with this launch party in the club room at OPEN, and with a line up of four excellent bands, each of whom would have been worth the £5 admission alone. A respectable crowd came along to support this gig on a Thursday ahead of a large number of high profile gigs, not least the Oxjam Festival day itself on Saturday.
Dove and Boweevil set things off, playing at OPEN for the first time. It was good to see and hear them here, the sound was excellent to and the band were clear as a bell. Lauren looked and sounded great and was clearly enjoying playing here to an appreciative and enthusiastic audience, and they also treated us to a few brand new numbers which was most pleasing.
Dove and Boweevil
Feral Mouth were next on the bill, and were kindly donating a percentage of any album and t-shirt sales on the night to Oxjam, as well as playing for free as all the bands were also doing. They too sounded good, the sound in the club room always seems to be spot on. The full line up, ahead of Pedz travelling time were tight and treated us to some stormers from the new album.
Feral Mouth
I unfortunately missed Dr Clyde’s EP launch night at Norwich Arts Centre last week so was particularly happy to catch them here tonight, and to pick up a copy of the excellent EP “Get On” (Thanks, Joe!). Another of my favourite local bands who are truly unique and always fascinating. I’ve seen them many, many times over the past couple of years or so and they are always interesting, inventive, and actually sound quite different on many occasions, they have a feel of a band organically evolving and progressing. Their sound is at times quite mesmerizing, hypnotic with rootsy, rock, and blues elements but also hints of middle-eastern and north African, and some distinctly African Saharan blues in the bass. A full on sound from this highly talented and always brilliant trio.
Dr Clyde
Dr Clyde
Headliners for the night, Dumbfoundus, this evening included Pedz of the Ferals playing percussion alongside Noel, Nathan and Tom. Last year at the Arts Centre they performed an astonishing Bohemian Rhapsody for the Hubs Fest, but tonight they gave us I Want to Break Free! As always they got the room dancing and smiling with a great mix of songs which nobody wanted to end, luckily they managed to squeeze in a Jungle Book favourite right at the very end to please an insatiable audience.
“New Head Lines” The sponsors, who included the Evening News, had a projection onto the back of the stage, at one point displayed on Noel’s head.
Well done and thanks to all of the acts who willingly gave their time and energy for free for this excellent cause and playing with such joy and energy. A most positive evening with an astonishing amount of musical talent on offer. Saturday takeover to follow.
The evening was capped off with a very relaxing hour or so in a welcoming and chilled out Gonzo’s.
Thank you to the Oxjam Committee and volunteers, OPEN, Dr Clyde, Dumbfoundus, Feral Mouth, Dove and Boweevil.
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Norwich: Music City, UK 
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