I did, however, turn up well in time to see the main act, who were their usual amazing selves. This is the third time I have seen them, twice before at the Portland Arms, a teeny-tiny venue in Cambridge, and the move up to a full-size venue is well deserved. The Joy Formidable are currently headlining the NME tour in the UK and this is only the beginning for them - they are going to be huge. I remember seeing them for the first time - in February 2008? with Betty & The Werewolves and It Hugs Back (a great line-up) - and they were about to go out on tour supporting Passion Pit (I think) - Christopher Laird leant over to me and said 'there is no way I'd want these guys supporting me, they are way too good' - and he was right - they deserve to be headliners and they will be playing huge venues before long.
The show on Tuesday was brilliant - all three members took the front of the stage and have amazing stage presence, all the time still looking like they are enjoying themselves. Their drummer, Matt (below) has to be the best live drummer I have EVER seen and I don't know whether it was a peculiarity of the stage set at Norwich that he was sitting up front, but he certainly deserves his place there - his immense sound draws your eyes to him and a number of people standing up front were watching him at least as much as the enigmatic and beautiful Ritzy.
The band played material from last year's mini-album, A Balloon Called Moaning and from their other singles, and the highlight of the show for me was the main set-ending Whirring, ending in a crescendo of feedback. The album is due in January - a must have - and maybe a Mercury Music Prize nominee?
Their tour continues across the UK... get tickets now!
