After successful Theatre Royal performances in 2010 and last year, Paul Carrack, legendary Sheffield-born former frontman of Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics, makes another welcome return. Plus: Tim Burgess, Ruarri Joseph, Swim Deep and Klashnekoff.
TIM BURGESS
Norwich Arts Centre, February 23
Frontman of the Manchester indie-favourites The Charlatans, Tim Burgess makes his first ever solo stop in Norwich as he tours his recent album Oh No I Love You.
The pudding-bowl haired singer was last in the city in 2011 as part of a reunion tour of The Charlatans to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of their debut album Some Friendly, one of the seminal records of the 1990s 'Madchester' baggy scene.
Released last October, Oh No I Love You marked a return after a nine year break from his solo career. Despite the hiatus, he's not exactly let the grass grow under his feet having also become a published author, in-demand DJ, champion tweeter, keen collaborator, label-owner and cereal and coffee magnate.
With tracks co-written with Kurt Wagner from Lambchop, the album received great praise from both critics and fans a like and marked a noticeably more country-soul flavour to the music.
It also featured members of My Morning Jacket and Factory Floor, alongside Chris Scruggs, R Stevie Moore, a gospel choir and string arrangements from High Llamas lynchpin Sean O'Hagan. Diverse and a world away from his simple pop beginnings.
The frontman has also recently published his autobiography Telling Stories, so don't be surprised if there are a few tales between songs. Support comes from London indie-pop upstarts Hatcham Social.
t Further listening: www.timburgessmusic.com
PAUL CARRACK
Norwich Theatre Royal, February 24
After successful Theatre Royal performances in 2010 and last year, the legendary Sheffield-born former frontman of Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics makes another welcome return.
The singer-songwriter shot to fame in the 1970s when his pub-rock band at the time, Ace, had a huge global hit with his song How Long, which soared into the US Top 10.
He then spent time performing with Roxy Music and Squeeze, contributing vocals to a solo album recorded by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford, before becoming a global musical force with the group Mike & The Mechanics.
More recently, he has focused on his solo career as well as working with a variety of top musicians, including Eric Clapton, BB King, Simply Red and Elton John.
His marvellously soulful voice is known to millions around the world; he is undoubtedly a key figure in British pop history and enjoys a devoted fanbase. He will be showcasing his biggest hits, including How Long, Tempted and The Living Years as well as tracks from his latest album Good Feeling.
t Further listening: www.paulcarrack.net
RUARRI JOSEPH
Bicycle Shop, February 24
Ruarri Joseph returns to Norwich ahead of the release of his new album, Brother, due out on March 25.
Originally born in Edinburgh, the nomadic Joseph found his song-writing roots in the unlikely surroundings of the Southwestern Pacific. A move to New Zealand followed his parents' divorce, and the young Ruarri found himself coming of age in Dannevirke (population 6,000), an isolated, rural farming community.
At 17 he packed his suitcase and moved back to the UK. Lots of gigging followed until at 25 he released his debut album Tales Of Grime and Grit through Atlantic Records, and shortly after leaving Atlantic in favour of independence in 2008, he formed his own label Pip Productions through which his subsequent two albums were released.
Brother, which is preceded by the release of a new single, Until The Luck Runs Dry, on March 18, builds on the themes of his previous album and is largely informed by the loss of a close friend who passed away in 2010. 'A bunch of our mutual musician friends got together to learn his songs and songs he loved and we all got on stage and played at his wake, Last Waltz style,' he explains.
It was after this tender send-off that Joseph realised the next album would be a group effort. 'I worked with a band on this album, rather than doing it alone. I wanted Brother to be a communal record for us all to sing to. It isn't an elegy. It's a celebration'.
t Further listening: www.ruarrijoseph.co.uk
SWIM DEEP
Open, February 25
Though it has undoubtedly thrown up some big bands — Black Sabbath, ELO and UB40, for example — Birmingham has never enjoyed a hot music scene in the manner of say Manchester. England's second city does however seem to enjoying a bit of a moment right now.
Last weekend brought Peace, the city's brightest new band, to Norwich opening the NME Awards Tour, fresh from signing a massive record deal.Also drawing plenty of attention are Jaws, recently discovered indie-pop gems who are busy reviving the scuzzy shoegaze sound.
This weekend there is a chance to catch Swim Deep, the third big names on the so-called B-Town scene. Poppier than Peace and more straightforward than Jaws, they are exponents of sun-drenched hook lines, exuberant grooves and a growing array of would-be pop classics. They've recently inked a deal with Sony RCA and arrive at the Open venue as part of their biggest UK headline tour so far. Their fan base is rapidly increasing, having recently toured with Spector, topping 100,000 hits on the video to their last single Honey within the first month. Their third single, The Sea, is out on March 3. Also on the bill are London pop duo Paradise and New Town.
t Further listening: swim-deep.tumblr.com
KLASHNEKOFF
Waterfront, February 28
Fresh Perspective, a brand new hip-hop night, gets off to a flying start with a date from one of the UK's most talented and highly regarded MCs.
While contemporaries have hit the charts with pop hits, one of the UK's finest MCs has kept it real. Since releasing his debut The Saga's of Klashnekoff, he has release a strong of albums.
The Hackney hip hopper (whose philosophy is 'come in peace or leave in pieces') was a founding member of the Terra Firma crew.
The Sagas Of..., included the single Murda produced by UK producer Harry Love, which was later released on the movie album Kidulthood. Follow-up Lionheart: Tussle With The Beast was much anticipated, while his last album Back to the Sagas saw him nominated for the BET award for best UK Hip Hop Artist.
Having recently released his latest mixtape 'FTLT', K-Lash — real name actually Darren Kandler — appears to be on fire at the minute too and he is sure to bring a hot set of politically aware social commentary delivered with his unique brand of spit boxing.
Top support slots from Souljasouls, Norfolk rapper Franko Fraize and Music Lessons Family.
t Further listening: soundcloud.com/klashnekoff
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
FEBRUARY 22
Wombatwombat: feat. Negative Pegasus + Balaclava Kid & Dad (indie/punk) — Arts Centre
Immaculate Groove Project (rock/pop) — Brickmakers
Truescape + The Indebtors + Jon Christophers (pop/rock) — B2
Burning Crows (acoustic/rock) — King Edward VII
The Dirigibles (rock'n'roll) — Brewery Tap
Skeleton Jack + Incave + Breaking Belief (rock) — Open
Rammerator (rock) — Blueberry
Pirate Radio (reggae/punk) — Hog In Armour
Slow Gin (jazz/folk) — Silver Road Cottage
V8 Rumble (rockabilly) — Walnut Tree Shades
The Indians (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights
Lena Black & The Playboys (jazz/blues) — Hog In Armour
Parkhouse (rock/pop) — The Otter
Norwich Folk Club (folk) — Christ Church Centre
Epic Freestyle (open mic) — Epic
Ricci — Fiveways
FEBRUARY 23
Tim Burgess (indie/rock) — Arts Centre
Bare Feet Records Acoustic Showcase: feat. King Laconic + Jess Bartlett + Port Isla (indie/folk/1pm) — Arts Centre
Floating Greyhounds + Dizzy Heights (rock/indie) — Brickmakers
Dr Clyde + Triette + Lisa Ambrose + Dave Barwood (folk/indie) — Epic
Soulborn (metal) — King Edward VII
Mucked Up Funkies (rock/blues/indie) — Bedfords
SkaFace UK (ska/pop) — Blueberry
Coupe De Ville (rock/pop) — The Woolpack
Honeydripper (rock/blues) — Eaton Cottage
Roop Murphy (blues/acoustic) — Silver Road Cottage
King Dinosaur (rockabilly) — Belle Vue
3 Up 2 Down (rock/pop) — Old Catton Maids Head
Lou & The Diamonds (60s) — Arkwrights
James Barr — Horsford Social Club
The Killer Tomatoes (metal/rock/pop) — The Leopard
Flying Folk — The Griffin
Steve Alan — Royal British Legion
Simpson & Lane— The Champion
Clive Paul — Keir Hardie Hall
Stone Cold — Angel Gardens
Lee Statham — Boundary
Tony Cann — Quebec Tavern
Lisa Marie — Robin Hood
FEBRUARY 24
Paul Carrack (rock/pop) — Theatre Royal
Ruarri Joseph (singer-songwriter) — Bicycle Shop
Stray From The Path (hardcore) — Waterfront Studio
Big Black Cadillac (rock 'n'roll/3pm) — King Edward VII
The Vagaband (Americana/3pm) — Brewery Tap
The Rockin Devils (40s-90s/5pm) — Walnut Tree Shades
Dave Thomas Band (blues/5pm)— Silver Road Cottage
Jazz Club: feat. Mink Inc (jazz) — The Lounge
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
Gary (4pm) — Robin Hood
FEBRUARY 25
Swim Deep + Paradise + New Town (indie/pop) — Open
Sonic Arts 72: feat. Richard Craig + Contra-Bass Flutes (experimental) — UEA School of Music
Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades
Jazz Jam: feat. Brendan Youngs + Lee Vasey + Ian Hireson + Mark Jolley (jazz) — Silver Road Cottage
Brickie Session (open mic) — Brickmakers
FEBRUARY 26
Uriah Heep (rock) — Waterfront
Otis Gibbs (folk/Americana) — Bicycle Shop
Coasts (indie/pop) — Waterfront Studio
Sweet Transistor (rock/punk) — Brickmakers
Tim Thornton Quartet (jazz) — Oaklands Hotel
Jon Collorick (folk)— Vauxhall Centre
Jam Night — Rumsey Wells
FEBRUARY 27
Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun (folk/alternative) — Waterfront Studio
Eridium + Fellarocker + Wicked Faith (rock) — B2
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
Norfolk Blues Society (special guests/jam) — Walnut Tree Shades
Traditional Irish — Gatehouse
Open Mic — Garden House
FEBRUARY 28
Klashnekoff + Soulijasouls + Franko Fraize + Music Lessons Family (hip hop) — Waterfront
Friends Like These (post hardcore) Rebuke (punk) — Blueberry
— Open
Nigel King Band (60s-80s) — Brickmakers
Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Chris Mezza (country) — TA Centre
Some Day Soon (folk/indie) — Ten Bells
The Dave Thomas Band (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
Albert Cooper's Blues & Boogie Band (blues) — Rumsey Wells
Open Jam — King Edward VII
Open Mic — The Lounge
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