Simon ParkinMUMFORD & SONSNorwich Arts Centre, October 2Following three highly rated limited edition 10" EPs, Mumford & Sons, who hail from the same London folk scene as Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale, arrive at the Arts Centre the day before the release of their debut album, Sigh No More.Simon Parkin
MUMFORD & SONS
Norwich Arts Centre, October 2
Following three highly rated limited edition 10" EPs, Mumford & Sons, who hail from the same London folk scene as Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale, arrive at the Arts Centre the day before the release of their debut album, Sigh No More.
Before Mumford & Sons, Marcus Mumford, Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane were playing in different bands, and Winston was promoting at the now notorious Bosun's Locker club on London's King's Road. It was here that amongst much soul searching and jamming the first incarnation of the band was born, with Ben Lovett completing the final piece of the jigsaw in early 2008.
Though they look like they should be playing bluegrass with hillbillies in the Appalachians - all waistcoats, scrappy jackets and moustaches - but their sound is far from twee folk or even rural pastoral. In fact they produce a pleasingly ferocious racket.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
Waterfront, October 5
Having released their critically-acclaimed debut album, I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, this summer, Bombay Bicycle Club round off what's turned out to be an exciting 2009.
Including festival performances at Glastonbury and Latitude and the unusual Tour For Lulu (which saw them play Norwich's Puppet Theatre and a mine shaft in Devon) - it ends with a UK tour.
The north London four-piece have very much established themselves as one of the hottest new tickets of the year with the release of the singles Always Like This and Magnet, which both feature on their debut.
The band certainly have youth on their side. All their members - singer Jack Steadman, lead guitarist Jamie MacColl, bass player Ed Nash and drummer Suren de Saram - are just 19-years-old. Their first breakthrough came in 2006 when they won the Road to V competition on Channel 4, which led to them opening the V Festival.
t Further listening: www.bombaybicycleclubmusic.com
EASY STARS ALL-STARS
Waterfront, October 7
Having previously given the dub treatment to Pink Floyd and Radiohead, the Easy Stars All-Stars turned their attention to producing a suitably reggaefied 're-imagining' of The Beatles' classic Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
It's proved perfect timing too what with the current Beatles re-release mania.
As with Dub Side Of The Moon and Radiodread, Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band is a musical melding at the genetic level, not just a parody with a summery beat.
And this live date, part of their every own magical mystery tour, is a chance to see that this is much more than a studio gimmick.
The ensemble has a rolling roster of musicians, but the collective ethic means each member is able to bring their own inventiveness, musical expertise and sense of fun to make each performance something special.
t Further listening: www.easystar.com
SOUND OF GUNS
Norwich Arts Centre, October 5
Upcoming Liverpool rockers Sound Of Guns balance a range of collective influences that range from rock to the more psychedelic. This diversity helps them cast off the usual sound associated with their hometown.
They have chosen anthemic power chords over jangly guitars and riotous gang vocals over quirky lyricism. Yet in the background are similar influences to those that have inspired The Las and The Coral - only with the amps turned up to 11.
This appearance comes ahead of the release of their latest EP, comprising of four tracks, Elementary of Youth, Lightspeed, Dead Sea Scrolls and Gallantry, on October 26 through Distiller Records.
Their last single, Architects, clocked up plays on Radio1 and the band performed no less than four times at this year's Glastonbury Festival plus a main stage appearance at the Latitude Festival. They've also been featured as Steve Lamacq's favourite new band on his 6music show.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/soundofguns
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
t October 2
The Maccabees (indie) - UEA
Courtney Pine (jazz) - Playhouse
The Lurkers (punk) - King Edward VII
Folk Off: feat. Rent Boy & The Homeowner (folk) - Ten Bells
Pure Passion (ska) - Brickmakers
Them Harvey Boys (bluegrass) - Cider Shed
Red Leaf (rock/indie) - Blueberry
Mick Rutherford (rock/blues) - Walnut Tree Shades
t October 3
Twee Off: feat. Health (rock) - Arts Centre
Raw Edge (rock) - Brickmakers
Breathing Space (rock/pop) - B2
Rag Mama rag (blues) - Cider Shed
The Project (rock/indie) - Blueberry
Live N Loud (rock) - King Edward VII
Killamonjambo (rock/dub) - Epic
Rod Hot Rockers (rockabilly) - Boundary
Flying South (rock'n'roll/blues) - Lakenham Cock
Lou & The Diamonds (60s) - Arkwrights
t October 4
Noah & The Whale (indie) - Waterfront
Demonic & Divine: feat. Pythia + more (metal/charity) - B2
James Goodwin (blues/piano) - Cider Shed
Bluefingers (blues) - King Edward VII
Mustang Sally (rock) - Bakers Dozen
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers
t October 5
Enter Shikari (rock) - UEA
Jugsout (punk) - Marquee
T.A.S. + more (open mic) - Brickmakers
t October 6
Oxjam Launch (charity) - Rumsey Wells
Andy Kirkham/Tom Conway/Adrian Lever (acoustic/guitar) - Arts Centre
Nick Page (jazz/guitar) - Rackheath Green Man
t October 7
Soweto Gospel Choir (world) - Theatre Royal
Simon Youngman Quartet (jazz) - Arts Centre
Kunk (indie) - B2
Random Hand (ska/metal) - Marquee
t October 8
Ruby Turner (soul/jazz) - Playhouse
Eastpak Antidose Tour: feat. Alexisonfire + more (rock) - UEA
Red Button Contingency (rock) - B2
Faith (rock) - Brickmakers
Mediatrocity (punk/ska) - Marquee
Cruisin For A Bluesin (blues) - Rumsey Wells
Midnight Blue (blues) - Rose Tavern
Keno Kings (rock/blues) - Walnut Tree Shades
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