It may only be a year since Ronan Parke shot to stardom on Britain's Got Talent but Poringland's most famous son is already unveiling a new direction at his latest Norwich gig. Plus: Lee Vann, Ultrazang, featuring Killamonjambo, and Catherine Feeny.
RONAN PARKE
Epic, July 20
It may only be a year since Ronan Parke shot to stardom on Britain's Got Talent but Poringland's most famous son is already moving his career in a new direction.
The 13-year-old singing sensation finished as runner-up in the 2011 series of the popular TV talent show. Success has not immediately followed for Ronan though, and he has decided to change his management and the style of his music – with this Norwich gig to launch his new sound.
The Framingham Earl High School pupil's first, self-titled album reached number 22 in the UK charts but was largely made up of covers, including Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles, which failed to make the top 40 singles chart.
He has now left Simon Cowell and Sony's Syco label, joined A D Records and been working with producer Dave Pemberton, who has worked with the likes of Groove Armada, The Prodigy, Jamelia and Robyn.
After a roller-coaster first year in the music industry, the youngster is hopeful his new sound will bring him new success. He will be performing his new single, We Are Shooting Stars.
'I'm so excited about this gig because I haven't done a big performance like this for ages now so I've really, really missed it.'
t Further listening: www.ronanparke.com
LEE VANN
Rivergarden, July 21
He's the hard-working singer songwriter who works all day, gigs all night and still finds time to teach boxing, play guitar in a band and organise showcases for other musicians in Norfolk.
The multi-talented Lee Vann performs at The Garden Party at the Rivergarden on Yarmouth Road, entry free. It will also feature a host of local acts including MatchBox Heroes, Jack Evison, Starbuck, Flo Irvine and Laurence Brooks.
Lee, who when not performing solo also plays guitar for Norwich band Chasing Tigers, has spent the last year building up a loyal fan base, releasing his debut EP, I Sing, You Sing, selling out two headline shows and tirelessly gigging at least twice a week.
'Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember,' said Lee, who manages a department at City Academy and is releasing his second EP, Turnaround, in November. 'The music I play is from so many different genres, from dubstep to Motown, funk to blues, indie to pop. I sing cover versions of songs and also have my own material, enough to easily fill an album.'
Lee's second EP will be launched with a headline gig at the Waterfront on November 10 where he will be supported by Dion Dublin's band, The Establishment. He will also be playing in Topshop in Norwich on August 25.
t Further listening: www.facebook/leevannmusic
ULTRAZANG: FEAT KILLAMONJAMBO
Epic, July 21
Fresh from recording at Orchard Studios in Cambridge, funky Norwich collective Killamonjambo return to headline this show which promises to be something special.
Ultrazang will also feature psychedelic indie rockers Butterfly and freak-out ska/rockers The Scissors as well as burlesque dancers and a fire display.
Ultrazang have been running events in Ipswich for several years and have built a reputation for a unique psychedelic party atmosphere. The whole event will be streamed live to a worldwide audience from Epic TV, Norwich's newest performance venue based in Magdalen Street. Epic's last streamed event featuring James Toseland and The Rainband saw more than 22,000 people tune in for a live show.
It's been a busy time recently for popular six-piece KIllamonjambo — made up of Pete (drums), Bramley (trumpet), Jonny (sax), Kurney (bass), Jamie (vocals) and Frank (guitar) — who are famed for their high energy performances.
As well as hitting the studio, they recently played to over 15,000 people at the Riverside Festival in Stamford. The band plan to release their first album early next year and currently have a series of new videos in the pipeline, which if previous efforts are any guide should be something to look out for.
t Further listening: www.killamonjambo.co.uk
CATHERINE FEENY
The Bicycle Shop, July 23
American singer-songwriter Catherine Feeny, who having lived in Norwich last year moved back over the Atlantic, is back in the city to play this special show as part of a very short UK stop-over.
Now based in Portland, Oregon, she lived in Norwich from 2004 to 2008, when she had songs featured in the Hollywood film Running with Scissors, as well as the successful TV series – The OC and One Tree Hill.
She regularly returns to the city with her Diss-born husband, singer/songwriter/guitarist Sebastian Rogers, and considers Norwich to be her second home.
This special intimate show will see her featuring songs from her forthcoming album America. Last year the singer travelled from Oregon to Wall Street to join the Occupy movement and the break up of peaceful demonstrations has inspired much of her new album.
She'll also be performing material from previous recordings, People in the Hole and the acclaimed Hurricane Glass, which featured the song Mr Blue, a regular favourite on the BBC Radio 2 Bob Harris show.
With recent tours that include support for Martha Wainwright, Suzanne Vega and Dr John among many other legends, this appearance by the singer is one of only three in the UK this summer.
t Further listening: www.catherinefeeny.com
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
TONIGHT
Ronan Parke (pop) — Epic
Mister Pink (rock/funk) — Brickmakers
GI Sound System (drum n bass) — Edward VII
Dying Breeds + more (pop-punk) — B2
Norwich Folk Club: feat. Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman (folk) — Christ Church Centre
The Harvs (folk/acoustic) — Brewery Tap
Four Play (blues/rock) — Walnut Tree Shades
Big Red Boat (acoustic) — Silver Road Cottage
Octane & DLR (drum n bass) — Carnival
Janie K — Fiveways
JULY 21
Ultrazang: feat. Killamonjambo + more (hip/hop/indie/funk) — Epic
Pythia + Dreamctacher (metal/goth) — Waterfront Studio
DJ Luck + MC Neat (hip hop/dance) — UEA
The Kabeedies + Sam Kelly (indie/12.30pm/all ages) — Open
The Kabeedies (indie/7pm/over-18s) — Open
The Sweetbeats (reggae/ska) — Arts Centre
Want For Destruction (metal) — King Edward VII
Raw Edge (rock) — Brickmakers
Darwin & The Dinosaur + Hello Bear + more (indie) — B2
Gravy Presents: Khan (indie/rock) — Olives
Stone Cold (rock) — Angel Gardens
Frozen Raspberries (rock/pop) — Hog In Armour
The Glamtastics (glam rock) — Arkwrights
Wypeout (rock'n'roll) — Wensum Community Centre
Murphey's Lore (indie/folk) — Trowel & Hammer
Cruisin For A Blusin (blues) — The Jubilee
Secondhand Blues (blues) — Buck Inn
Soul Town with Martin Webb — The Leopard
Vic Martin — Keir Hardie Hall
Mick Stevens — Freedman
Graham McGrotty — Spixworth Social Club
Kevin (solo) — Heath House
Alan Ley — Quebec Tavern
Mickey Spanton — Sprowston Social Club
Mick Stevens — The Freed Man
JULY 22
Tilting Sky Festival: Hemmingway + more (indie) — Waterfront Studio
A13 Allstars (acoustic) — Bicycle Shop
Rockin Devils Blues Band (blues) — Boundary
The Planks (soul/3pm) — Brewery Tap
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
Lee Vasey & Friends (8.30pm) — Silver Road Cottage
Pyevarotti (4pm) — Walnut Tree Shades
Gary (4pm) — Robin Hood
JULY 23
Tilting Sky Festival: Sargasso Trio + The Vagaband + more (indie) — Waterfront Studio
Catherine Feeny (folk/acoustic) — Bicycle Shop
Fingerstyle Collective (acoustic) — Arts Centre
Brickie Sessions (open mic) — Brickmakers
Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades
JULY 24
Tilting Sky Festival: Cielo + Mila Falls + more (urban/pop) — Arts Centre
Save Ferris (pop/rock) — Brickmakers
Andy Doyle Band (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man
JULY 25
Tilting Sky Festival: Ask Lydia + Sancho Blanco + more (indie) — Waterfront
Fighting Fiction (indie/rock) — Karma Kafe
Hogtroff Music Showcase: feat. Herd of Giants (indie/rock) — Hog In Armour
Witches + more (indie/rock) — B2
Haiku Salut (electronic/folk) — Rumsey Wells
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
Open Mic — Garden House
JULY 26
Tilting Sky Festival: Affairs + Model Staggs + more (indie) — Waterfront Studio
Energy (funk/soul) — Brickmakers
Loose Leaf Drifters (indie/folk) — Rumsey Wells
Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Longshot (country) — TA Centre
Johnny Jump Band (country/blues) — Micawbers Tavern
The Planks (soul) — Walnut Tree Shades
The Vagaband (indie/folk) — Rose Tavern
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