Simon ParkinHOWLBACK HUM ALL-DAYERKing Edward VII, August 2A 14-act line up of Norwich bands, including The Brownies fresh from a debut slot at Latitude, will take to the stage at this Howlback Hum all-day free festival.Simon Parkin

HOWLBACK HUM ALL-DAYER

King Edward VII, August 2

A 14-act line up of Norwich bands, including The Brownies fresh from a debut slot at Latitude, will take to the stage at this Howlback Hum all-day free festival. The event, from 2pm, will also feature an acoustic stage out in the garden along with a barbecue serving all day.

The Brownies (pictured) have just released their debut album My Knife Your Back on Norwich's NROne label, which has garnered positive reviews.

The riot-punk five-piece have just come back from a string of tour-dates across the country, culminating in their performance at this year's Latitude.

My Visor will be playing new tracks from their forthcoming second album. F*** Dress saw their debut single, Suburban Nietzsche Freak, become hit of the summer in Spain and Italy.

Five-piece indie-kids the Gore Vidals, ever-hyperactive Hair Traffic Control, Faster Than Robots and Viva ZeBool complete the line up in the bar.

Acoustic acts include Rory McVicar, who's debut album was released on Series 8 records and has appeared at Latitude and Exit festivals. Other acts performing outside are Milly, The Great Shakes, Alloy Ark, Scraps, Mat Riviere and Chad Mason Songbook.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/howlbackhumfeatmummywheresthemilkman

BOY WILL DROWN

Marquee, August 3

This Norwich four-piece are something of a unheralded success story on the local music scene. Last year they signed to Digby Pearson's legendary cult label Earache Records, home of the legendary Napalm Death.

After first meeting eight-years ago at Framingham Earl High School, they formed in 2006. Half of the band started life as Bloody Embrace and made their first public appearance at a Brickmakers new talent night. They quickly built up a reputation as one of the most flamboyant and intense bands around.

The band, made up of brothers James and Tom Bates, Ed Bell and Liam Keeler, play a mixture of grindcore and death-metal tunes but simultaneously inject an element of humour into the otherwise serious face of the extreme metal genre.

Earache has an international reputation. James, who plays bass, said: 'For our style of music we believe we really couldn't be on a better label. It's a real childhood dream come true.'

Experimentation and freedom is what drives the band explains guitarist Liam, 'We play what we want and don't stick to the normal death metal thing. If we want to play polka, we'll play polka'.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/tbwd

THE WOE BETIDES

The Birdcage, August 2

Agreeably ramshackle folk-pop duo who have won critical acclaim for their limited edition debut EP Play Dead, just released online and which brings to mind both Simon & Garfunkel and Josh Homme's Desert Sessions.

The Woe Betides grew out of a London collective effort called Songs in the Dark, a regular celebration of all that is good in music, poetry, comedy and art.

On one such night, Grundy le Zimbra and The Late Simon Mastrantone conjured a collaboration after realising they cherished the same music, revered the same films, and were dreaming the same musical dream.

The EP is a varied offering that has been described as sounding like alt-folkies The Earlies trying to cover Queens Of The Stone Age.

The opener Boredom Is The Killer is little more a few handclaps, reverberating guitar strums and a lingering voice, while Under The Sand hints at their grunge upbringings with dark melodic undertones lifted by compelling vocals.

The lyrics occasionally take on a more sinister twist, featuring amongst other subjects stalking. The result is agreeably off-kilter, vaguely 60s inspired surreal folk-pop.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thewoebetides

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

t July 31

Holy State (post punk) - Marquee

Them Harvey Boys (bluegrass/folk/country) - Cider Shed

Drongo's For Europe (punk) - King Edward VII

Pure Passion/The Someones (rock) - Brickmakers

Replica (rock) - Blueberry

Abbababes (tribute) - Wroxham Barns

Punktures (punk) - Heartsease

t August 1

Littlemink/Kapok/Star Explode (indie) - Arts Centre

Floating Greyhounds (rock) - Brickmakers

Mammas Dream (rock) - King Edward VII

Get Carter (rock) - Sprowston Social Club

Barking Spiders - Blueberry

Above Them/Zapain (indie/rock) - Marquee

New Blue Sun Sessions (from 1pm/acoustic) - Arts Centre Caf�/Bar

Steve O (80s) - The Nelson

James Barr (keyboardist/vocalist) - Reindeer

Sirocco (60s/70s) - Arkwrights

A13 Allstars (rock) - The Stanley

Linda James (rock'n'roll/pop) - Silver Road Stanley

t August 2

Daffy & The Alien (from 4pm/rock) - Boundary

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers

t August 3

Upon Clouds (rock/metal) - Queen Charlotte

The Session (open mic) - Brickmakers

t August 4

Breaking Belief (rock) - Brickmakers

Bare Feet Records Launch Night (indie/folk) - Birdcage

t August 5

Quartet Crepuscolo (jazz) - Arts Centre

Blues Jam (blues/rock) - Blueberry

Jugsout (punk) - Marquee

The Session (Irish) - Cider Shed

Acoustic jam (open mic) - Brickmakers

t August 6

Mary Jones Scandal (indie/rock) - Brickmakers

After Hours Blues Band (blues) - Blueberry

Tea (blues/rock) - King Edward VII

Cruisin For A Bluesin (blues) - Rose Tavern

Blue on Black (R&B) - Walnut Tree Shades