Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Bang Bang Romeo, plus Hank Jd Sleek at Norwich Arts Centre 29 January 2016

The NAC’s third sellout gig of the week following Broken Brass Ensemble, and the magnificent Vieux Farka Toure brought in yet another crowd of largely unfamiliar faces in the audience. Interesting as Kitty, Daisy & Lewis play quite a variety of styles so probably have quite a broad appeal.

Opening for them (and lending their bass amp) were Sheffield’s Bang Bang Romeo. An impressive indie-rock sound and led by a sassy Anastasia who had a healthy amount of attitude and a belting great voice. They came onstage quietly and she threw a look at the audience, greeted us, and then the applause came. I liked their style and I think everyone here did too judging by the reactions.  The band are tight and their guitarist is Serge Pizzorno’s doppelganger but it is when Anastasia starts to sing that they really grab you by the scruff of the neck.

Of course, in the bar there was yet more entertainment with Hank Jd Sleek’s Hillbilly Hayride providing the music for plenty of dancing.

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis are a real family affair with their father on guitar, and mother on bass, and so incredibly gifted and versatile, all siblings at various times took a stint at the drumkit and each with their own unique style. It was a fabulously entertaining set that went down rapturously well, and I was thrilled that they were once again joined by Tan Tan from Jamaica on trumpet, who was an absolute delight when I saw him with them at Red Rooster last year.  

They do still hop about a bit in styles but that’s no bad thing and some of my set favourites reflected this, the ska-rocksteady of Baby Bye Bye, the country-folky commentary of modern gentrification in Developer’s Disease, and the outright bluesey rock ‘n’ roll of Goin’ Up the Country.

Touring for a year this was the first date of the British leg of the tour and I think they enjoyed being back, the audience certainly loved having them back here. I had only previously seen them at festivals so it was a great pleasure to see them in this adorable venue.

Many thanks to NAC and the great team of people there, tremendous sound again and another deserved sellout in Independent Venue Week.

After this there was even time for a couple of hours at an also fairly full OPEN for Soul Train.

(c) shashamane 2016

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