Preview: This week's gig guide

NRONE SUMMER NIGHT SPECIAL

Norwich Arts Centre, August 7

Following some changes in the camp, Violet Violet launch their new slim-line two-piece line-up with a rather special summer show at the Arts Centre tonight.

The gig marks the run up to releasing their second and much anticipated album The City Is Full Of Beasts, on Norwich's very own NROne label, in November.

Despite the changes, expect the trademark Violet thunderous and inventive drumming, jagged guitar and pitch-perfect harmonising of a dual-pronged lead vocal attack. Think along the lines of PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney and Huggy Bear, heavily seasoned with the duo's own arty brand of vibrant wit and wisdom. It's edgy, prowling and harmoniously delivered by a pair of sardonic sirens.

To mark the occasion with a full-on summer special, NROne have invited London-based indie/pop band Betty and The Werewolves to come and party with them. The three girls and one boy whoop and howl through the night as sweetly sung melodies collide with glitter-struck punk guitars.

Completing the line-up will be Norwich new wave/indie band The Loyal Few and electro/pop youngsters Magpied. To add to the celebrations Violet Violet will be giving away a gift pack of one-off goodies and recordings to the first 50 people through the door. So it pays to arrive early.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/violetviolet1

GIG IN THE PARK

Halesworth Town Park, August 7-9

The 12th Halesworth Gig in the Park kicks off tonight with a headlining set from US rock band Frontbum for whom this is a one-off UK stop-off en route to their world tour which starts in Tokyo.

The community-oriented mini-festival continues tomorrow with headliner Glenn Tilbrook with his band The Fluffers (pictured). As one half of the songwriting duo Squeeze, Glenn had a string of hit singles in the late-1970s and 80s. He will be performing tracks from The Fluffers new album Pandemoneum Ensues. Other main stage highlights include Chas and Dave, one of the country's best-known rhythm'n'blues acts Nine Below Zero and ex-Darkness star Ed Graham's new band Karaoke for Beginners.

Sunday's headliners are tKingsize Five who round things off with their eclectic mix of swing, jazz, 1950s rock and blues and punk. The've been championed by DJ Steve Lamacq who describes them as 'a bunch of musical rogues'.

Also confirmed are rising acoustic star Jon Allen, who recently played Norwich Arts Centre in support of his new album Dead Man's Suit, ex-Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley and new act Gypsy Fire. As always there will be plenty of local bands playing over the weekend across the three stages including The Unremarkables, The Brownies and Next Big Thing winner Ed Sheeran.

t Ticket details: Day tickets available via 01603 508050, www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk

SUMMER MODNESS

Norwich Arts Centre, August 8

Dig out that fishtail parker, Fred Perry T-shirt and borrow a Vespa for a Saturday summer evening of new Mod sounds.

Headlining will be reformed Norwich band Sta Prest - named after the trousers every discerning young Mod wore - whose mod/punk/new wave sound won them favour with the jazz legend Ronnie Scott in the 1970s.

The band were put together at school by Richard York, who now juggles a glamorous sounding life of music and a day job as a private investigator. Sta Prest were signed up by Scott's agency Ronnie Scott Directions after being spotted at a gig in Southend.

'Ronnie booked gigs for us and we played in places such as The Marquee, 101 Club, The Venue, you name it and we played there at some point,' recalls Richard. 'Over the next three years we were approached by most of the big record labels, but the Ronnie's management wanted to hold out for the big one.'

They finally got their big break when American record label Avater Records and Screenworks signed them up for a three single and album deal.

The band spilt in 1982. Richard went on to join the Met police and later became a PI. Three years ago they were persuaded to reform and the gigs have come flooding in. They are now working on a new album.

Joining them will be The Intrpreters, The Future of Music and Dick York, together with comperes Vinny Mac and Martin Figura.

t Further listening: www.facebook.com/pages/sta-prest

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

t August 7

The Groove Doctors (blues) - Cider Shed

Fourplay (rock/blues) - Brickmakers

Replica (rock) - King Edward VII

Led Zep Too (tribute) - Boundary

Counterfeit Promo Night (punk) - Marquee

Agent Orange (indie/pop) - Blueberry

Breakfast With The Snake + more (folk) - Ten Bells

Dave Thomas (blues/rock) - Walnut Tree Shades

t August 8

Cakes & Ale + more (1pm - indie/folk) - Arts Centre Caf�/Bar

Norwich Rocks (local bands) - Rivergarden

Screaming Ground Promo Night (alternative) - Marquee

Raw Edge (rock) - Brickmakers

To The Last (rock) - King Edward VII

Tea (rock/blues) - Reindeer

Moneyshot (rock/indie) - Boundary

Dr Misfit (rock) - Blueberry

The Lucky Last (rock/grange) - The Stanley

Graham McGrotty (blues/rock) - The Nelson

In The Shadow of Elvis (tribute) - West End Cue Club

t August 9

Danny & The Seniors (rock'n'roll) - King Edward VII

In Rapture (pop/rock) - Lakenham Cock

Mary Jones Scandal (punk/rock) - Heartsease

Mustang Sally (easy/rock) - The Bakers Dozen

The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo (skiffle) - Norwich Rugby Ground

Stacked Acoustic (acoustic band) - The Stanley

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers

Pete 'Kiwi' Keegan (skiffle) - The Woodside

t August 10

Jazz Jam (jazz open mic) - Blueberry

Sessions (open mic) - Brickmakers

Rampant Horse Collective (folk) - Rumsey Wells

t August 11

Bad Touch (rock) - Brickmakers

Jim Hart (jazz) - Rackheath Green Man

t August 12

The Solidages (grunge) - B2

Pure Acoustic (acoustic open mic) - Brickmakers

The Session (Irish) - Cider Shed

t August 13

Sound For A Pound (electro/pop) - Marquee

Stone Cold Sober (rock) - Brickmakers

Four Days In May (folk/rock) - Rumsey Wells

Piggy Bank Promo Night (pop/indie) - B2

Live & Unleashed (locals bands) - Blue Lounge

Tea (rock/blues) - Walnut Tree Shades