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