Three years after the release of their first demo, Holy State, made up of members from Norwich, return as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival music strand Speed Up! Plus: Nathan Fake and Luke Abbott, Inspiral Carpets, Joanna Chapman-Smith.
HOLY STATE
Norwich Arts Centre, May 18
Three years after the release of their first demo, Holy State, made up of members from Norwich, though they actually met while at university in Leeds, return as part of the Norfolk and Norwich music strand Speed Up! to unleash their second single, Dial 'M' For Monolith.
The track from from their upcoming debut album, continues their energetic exploration of post-punk with plenty of squiggly lead guitar lines.
The four-piece have enjoyed an exciting 18 months or so having first toured with Blood Red Shoes, then played eight shows at UK arenas with platinum-selling Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro and main support The Futureheads.
The band — who describe their punk-rock sound as 'loud and warm' — got together while at university in 2008 though all four members come from Norwich.
They take influence from post-hardcore legends Fugazi and Girls Against Boys, alt-rock gods Jesus Lizard, and indie institution The Fall at their darkest and most rhythmically driven, combined with a hint of Spector's Wall of Sound.
They've previously released their own double A-single Medicine Hat and Sultan of Sentiment on Leeds-based independent label Dance to the Radio and featured on Huw Stephen's Music Sounds Better With Huw – Volume 1. Support comes from Tenebrous Liar and Reno Dakota.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/holystate
NATHAN FAKE + LUKE ABBOTT
Norwich Arts Centre, May 19
Nathan Fake and Luke Abbott both hail from Norfolk and both have been making significant waves in the world of electronic music with released on the independent Border Community label.
He may not be a household name but Nathan, who originally hails from Necton, though he now lives in London, has some famous fans. Radiohead selected him for their new remix album TKOL RMX 1234567, reworking of tracks from The King of Limbs. Nathan's remix of Morning Mr Magpie sits alongside remixes from the likes of Jamie XX, Caribou and Four Tet.
And following two full albums, and a host of critically acclaimed singles, he will have a new EP out later this month, while August sees the release of his long-awaited third album, Steam Days, which is set to blend the melodic electronica of his first album with the harder minimal techno of follow-up Hard Islands.
Synth-wizard Luke Abbott draws inspirations from minimalism and krautrock. He employing steady pulses adorned with sparse bleeps and burring textures to create sounds that are hypnotic and danceable. His album Holkham Drones received widespread acclaim.
Also on the bill is Norwich three-piece Mammal Hands who blend of music fusing ambient electronica, jazz and hip hop.
t Further listening: nathanfake.co.uk/lukeabbottmusic.blogspot.com
INSPIRAL CARPETS
Waterfront, May 20
With the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays reforming this summer we're set for a baggy-era revival, but the Inspiral Carpets got their first having re-group last year with their original singer Stephen Holt taking over lead vocal duties.
But as well as reviving memories of their early-1990s hey-day the band have also rediscovering their even earlier garage band roots which has actually seen them attract a new generation of fans.
They are currently recording their first material in 15 years. And coupled with injecting a new lease of life into their back catalogue, this gig promises to be a treat for both die-hard fans and new found converts alike.
Holt formed the band in 1983 with guitarist Graham Lambert and played a pivotal role in delivering two genre defining EPs Planecrash and Trainsurfing as well as the legendary Dung 4 11 song cassette album. However as the band started to gain critical acclaim, Holt left in 1989, to be replaced by Tom Hingley.
The rest as they say is history; with Inspiral Carpets releasing four chart topping albums, 13 Top 40 singles and numerous sold out tours. Support for this date postponed from March, comes from Deadbeat Echoes.
t Further listening: www.inspiralcarpets.com
JOANNA CHAPMAN SMITH
Bicycle Shop, May 21
Blending acoustic urban singer-songwriting with jazzy and European flavours, Canadian artist Joanna Chapman-Smith has a supple and finely-nuanced voice and a knack of writing melodies taking in an unusually large palette of moods.
The songs on her second album, Contraries, marked her out as a unique voice on the acoustic singer-songwriter scene that is particularly strong in Canada.
Her arch acoustic musings display a fondness for the accordion and often come laced with a hint of Parisian cafes and East European Klezmer music.
She is currently working on her third album, Love Me Deeply, recording of which began in Canada two years ago but which has just been completed in Leeds.
She is sure to be previewing new tracks, which add a mature and spacious sonic approach to her idiosyncratic style, at this date at the St Benedict's acoustic venue.
While in Europe she is also slotting in occasional 'house concerts', a neat concept where people invite her to perform in their own homes in exchange for a night's B&B.
Live she draws on her love of storytelling and cabaret to charm unassuming crowds into a complete musical world.
t Further listening: www.joannacs.com
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
May 18
NNF: Holy State (indie/rock) — Arts Centre
NNF: Tina C (country) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
Tilting Sky: feat. Chasing Tigers + more (rock) — Waterfront Studio
Faith + Zoom Club (indie/rock) — Brickmakers
Floating Greyhounds (rock) — King Edward VII
Them Harvey Boys (roots) — Brewery Tap
Hicksville Bombers (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights
Wildfire Meets Just Is (reggae) — Carnival
Rockin Devil's Band (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
New Town (indie/rock) — B2
Section IV (prog rock) — The Stanley
Tim Ballard — Perseverance
Anna Marie — Fiveways
Barry Ley — Lakenham Cock
May 19
NNF: Nathan Fake + Luke Abbott (electronic) — Arts Centre
NNF: Tina C (country) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
Tilting Sky: feat. The Kabeedies + more (rock) — Open
BBC Music Video Festival: feat. Kill It Kid + Magoo + more (indie) — Epic
Hessian Rose (rock) — King Edward VII
Floating Greyhounds (rock) — Brickmakers
Overspill + more (rock) — B2
The Burning Crows (acoustic) — The Stanley
Coupe De Ville (rock/pop) — Woolpack
Ground Hot Cold (blues) — Kings Arms
The Glamtastics (glam rock) — Arkwrights
16th Minute (rock) — Boundary
3 Up 2 Down (blues/funk) — Angel Gardens
Me, Myself & I ( — Keir Hardie Hall
Jim Spiers — Heath House
Ady Diamond — Maid's Head (Old Catton)
Tony Cann — Quebec Tavern
May Gary — Robin Hood
Rade — Windmill
May 20
Inspiral Carpets (pop) — Waterfront
NNF: Afrocubism (Latin/world) — Theatre Royal
NNF: Valentina and Voces del Sur (Latin/roots) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
NNF: The Sweetbeats (ska) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
It Boys! (pop) — Waterfront Studio
Outathablues (blues) — Brewery Tap
Floating Greyhounds (rock) — Heartsease
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
Keno Kings (blues/4pm) — Boundary
Pyevarotti (4pm) — Walnut Tree Shades
Jamie K (4pm) — Lakenham Cock
May 21
NNF: Valentina and Voces del Sur (Latin/roots) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
NNF: Bob Log III (blues) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
Joanna Chapman Smith (acoustic/jazz) — Bicycle Shop
Brickie Session (open mic) — Brickmakers
Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades
Jazz Jam — B2
May 22
NNF: Lili La Scala (easy) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
NNF: Lau (folk/roots) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
Soul Power 74 (soul/funk) — Brickmakers
Tommaso Starace (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man
May 23
NNF: Imagined Village (folk/roots) — Theatre Royal
NNF: Lili La Scala (easy) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
NNF: Lau (folk/roots) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
The Neutrinos (indie) — Westlegate House
Hogtroff: feat. Herd of Giants + Hello Bear + more (rock/indie) — Hog In Armour
Rampant Horse + Tom Pearce + more (indie/rock) — B2
Dave Thomas & Friends (acoustic) — Brewery Tap
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
Open Mic — Angel Gardens
May 24
NNF: The Vagaband (Americana) — Spiegeltent Chapelfield
NNF: Balaclava Kid & Dad (blues/punk) — St Lawrence Church
Paper Aeroplanes (pop) — Bicycle Shop
Aviator (rock) — Brickmakers
The Bunkadoos (acoustic) — Brewery Tap
Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Stubby (country) — TA Centre
Secondhand Band (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
Bloodstock Metal 2 (competition/heat 2) — Waterfront Studio
Team BG — Rose Tavern
Open Jam — King Edward VII
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here