Familiar as the frontman in the Scottish rock band Idlewild, Roddy Woomble arrives in Norwich supporting his second solo album. Plus Dove & Boweevil, Stiff Little Fingers and a DJ visit from Aussie rock/dance giants Pendulum.
RODDY WOOMBLE
Norwich Arts Centre, March 26
Familiar as the frontman in the Scottish rock band Idlewild, Roddy Woomble is also a celebrated solo songwriter and performer. He arrives in Norwich supporting his follow up to his acclaimed 2006 solo debut My Secret is My Silence with a brand new album of songs.
A native of Irvine – small-town Scotland writ large – Woomble co-founded Idlewild in 1995, naming the band for the quiet haven featured in his then-favourite book, Anne of Green Gables.
Given that the NME likened their early punk-fuelled sound to 'a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs', the name was initially somewhat ironic, but gradually came closer as Idlewild progressed through sweeping melodic rock to rootsy, melodic sparseness.
Extending that softer lyrical vein of Roddy's songwriting, My Secret Is My Silence won rave reviews across both the rock and folk press. He was also a key instigator behind the acclaimed 2007 album Ballads of the Book, bring-ing together leading Scottish poets and musicians to collaborate on new songs.
The new album, recorded on the isle of Mull and produced by John McCusker will be released this spring. Support from Leah Abramson
t Further listening: www.roddywoomble.com
DOVE & BOWEEVIL
Norwich Arts Centre, March 30
Norfolk is currently a hot bed for blues talent what with the award winning Oli Brown and the proliferation of local original blues talent such as Ron Sayer, Sol Philcox and Norwich-based duo Dove and Boweevil.
Made up of Lauren Dove and Mark 'Boweevil' Howes who emerged from local funk band Mondatta Funk, they have earned a fine reputation over the past three years.
Dove and Boweevil have earned a fine reputation over the last three years as a 'refreshing' acoustic blues and soul act who are soon to be releasing their debut album Getting Somewhere.
Drawing inspiration from the vast landscapes of Norfolk as well as their travels of the USA where they performed last year, the album contains the soaring tones of Lauren Dove on vocals and the earthy sound of Mark 'Boweevil' Howes on slide and acoustic guitar.
Their music blends hollerin' original blues with gospel-influenced ballads and Stax soul guitar rhythms. There will be
cabaret seating available, New Orleans-style cocktails and a secret showing of their own documentary, as well as support from Lisa Ambrose.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/doveandboweevil
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
Waterfront, March 31
Stiff Little Fingers return to the Waterfront celebrating their 34th year.
Prior to becoming Stiff Little Fingers, Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Gordon Blair and Brian Faloon, Drums, were playing in a Deep Purple cover band, Highway Star. However formed in 1977, the Belfast band are true punk originals with singles that have included the punk classic Alternative Ulster.
Like many punk outfits they struggled to find a new sound once punk evolved into new wave. Their Now Then album of 1982 alienated many of SLF's punk followers with its pop sound, and despite some glowing critical re-views, never got the recognition it deserved. The band split the following year.
Reformed and still fronted by the iconic Burns, their music continues to combine the energy of punk with infec-tious hooks and a delivery that rings of honesty and commitment.
The band were due to be joined for this date by Spear Of Destiny but sadly they will now no longer be playing. Support instead comes from Lost In Plastic.
t Further listening: www.slf.com
PENDULUM
UEA, March 31
Fresh from being announced as the surprise headline act to open this year's Bestival on the Isle of Wright, Pendu-lum's spin-off career as DJs brings them to the UEA.
Plenty of bands have tried to meld rock and dance, but barely a handful have managed to create music that blends different forms so seamlessly. The Australian band's last album Immersion hit number one in the UK charts and a new and much anticipated record in the works.
The Prodigy, Reprazent and Justice have trodden similar paths, but they didn't consummate their marriage of styles with an album whose title nods to a rock touchstone — Pendulum's second album, In Silico, is an acknowledgment of Nirvana's In Utero — and which emphasises its makers' attempts to fuse human input with machine.
One of the biggest electronic bands in the world, the drum'n'bass rock act put on amazing live shows whether they are doing a full live set or merely spinning the discs as here. They will no doubt be spinning some top drawer filthy beats, scorching riffs and heavy sub action. Expect an energising and electric set.
t Further listening: www.pendulum.com
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
MARCH 25
Lost? (pop-punk) — B2
The Dark Decadence Tour: feat. Hardcore Superstar + more (metal) — Waterfront
Tendahooks (rock) — Brickmakers
Whole Lotta Hair rock) — King Edward VII
Tattooed Cow (rock) — Blueberry
The Cream Horns (rock/blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
The Fuzz (indie) — Beluga
Them Harvey Boys (bluegrass) — Brewery Tap
Honeydripper (R&B) — Wild Man
Siren (rock) — Lakenham Cock
3 Up 2 Down — Trowel & hammer
Johnny Jump (R&B) — Silver Road Cottage
Barry Lee (pop/easy) — Fiveways
Centre Stage (open mic) — Ten Bells
MARCH 26
Courtney Pine (jazz) — Playhouse
Roddy Woomble (rock/indie) — Arts Centre
Dirty DC (rock) — Brickmakers
Dirty Little Habit (rock) — King Edward VII
Money Shot (rock) — Blueberry
Outhablues (blues) — The Stanley
Storm (rock) — Boundary
Metal Lust (metal) — B2
Honeydripper (R&B) — Eaton Cottage
Daffy & The Alien (rock) — The Leopard
National Image (indie/rock) — Golden Star
Red Hot Rockers (rock'n'roll) — Sprowston Sports & Social
San (rock) — Angel Gardens
Barry Lee (pop/easy) — Heath House
Take Two — Lakenham Cock
MARCH 27
Japanese Relief Fund Alldayer (local bands) — Marquee
Fourplay (rock/4pm) — Boundary
Ladybird & The Larks (folk/pop) — Brewery Tap
Floating Greyhounds (rock) — Lakenham Cock
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
The Gas Hill Mob — Silver Road Cottage
Jade (acoustic/3pm) — Blueberry
MARCH 28
Sepectro: feat. Machinedrum (electronic) — Arts Centre
Jazz N Jam (open mic) — Blueberry
Sessions (open mic) — Brickmakers
MARCH 29
Eastern Straynotes (swing/jazz) — Arts Centre
Blind Lemons Band (soul) — Brickmakers
Open Mic — Steam Packet
MARCH 30
Dove & Boweevil + Lisa Ambrose (folk/indie) — Arts Centre
Don't Spook The Horse (Neil Young tribute) — Olives Bar
Lee Vasey & Friends — Trowel & Hammer
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
MARCH 31
Stiff Little Fingers (punk) — Waterfront
Pendulum (DJ set) — UEA
Sugar Rush (rock/indie)— Brickmakers
8th Time Luckie (metal) — Marquee
Albert Cooper's Jazz Life: feat. Chris Cooper Trio (jazz) — Rumsey Wells
Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Steve Key (country) — Royal British Legion
Laurence & Guests (acoustic) — B2
Honeydripper (R&B) — Walnut Tree Shades
Crusin' For A Blusin' (blues) — The Rose
Club Acoustica — Brewery Tap
Tom Paley (banjo) — Olives Bar
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