Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

The room really filled up when they came on stage and I was really struck by their energy, power, attitude and self-assurance. Of course these girls have all been in bands before but it was still a debut gig and their confidence was striking. I loved their grungey sound and that confidence and ability will take them far. A debut gig at the Norwich Arts Centre is impressive enough but their next one is at Bestival no less. They seem to have arrived fully-formed and I was not alone in really loving them. Don’t miss their next Norwich performance for Norwich Sound & Vision in October. Graceland have got “it” and have the potential to become huge.

Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

Graceland
(c) shashamane 2015

Kid Wave
(c) shashamane 2015

Kid Wave
(c) shashamane 2015

Kid Wave
(c) shashamane 2015

Sandwiching the Graceland set of course were Claws and Kid Wave. It was Claws who started things off tonight, the band strong musically although the vocals aren’t quite for my ears, and I actually missed much of the Kid Wave short set as I dashed over to Cinema City as soon as Graceland finished theirs as I particularly wished to catch Milly Hirst playing at OST. It feels a while since I have seen her and sometimes one’s soul just yearns for these songs. The musical gods were on my side here as she was just starting as I arrived. A short set of 20 or 25 minutes or so and it was all over but the beautiful and mesmeric, utterly spellbinding quality of her songs and voice had its healing effect and was just magical in another packed Cinema City bar. She played one new song and closed with the masterful piece that is Mary, one of her very best works. I was particularly pleased I did not miss this set as it’s the last one for a while as she concentrates on writing and recording her long overdue debut album. That will be a major event when it arrives, I cannot wait!

Milly Hirst at OST
(c) shashamane 2015

Before dashing back I just caught a couple of beautiful numbers by the ever wonderful Cove Hithe.

Many thanks to Pony Up, Norwich Arts Centre, Milly Hirst, and OST

words and photos (c) richard shashamane 2015

@RShashamane

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