Newcomers Lovestruck are slightly nervous as they take to the stage. It’s only later that we learn that this is their first-ever live show, and so it’s entirely forgivable that the lads on guitar and bass spend much of the set focusing on their instruments.
Despite the first-show jitters, the lead singer interacts well with the crowd. She clearly has a powerful voice and, as the set progresses, her energy becomes infectious and the tunes are catchy. The band’s own songs go down just as well as their covers. There are all the fundamentals here for a great act and I’m sure as Lovestruck get more shows under their belt, they’ll gain a bit of swagger to go with their glam rock. All in all, it’s a fantastic first set and I look forward to seeing more from them.
Next, Beau Anderson takes to the stage. (Beau appears to be the name of the frontman and his band. Or, as he puts it, “I am Beau Anderson, you are Beau Anderson, we are Beau Anderson.”)
Beau’s sound is bombastic and unusual – perhaps even unique – a combination of bouncy, stomping riffs that I can only describe as “Muse by way of Gojira.” These are overlaid with more indie-pop-style vocals a la the Libertines or, at times, Maroon 5. The resulting effect is surprisingly heavy and dangerously catchy. The slick musicianship on display and potential earworm tracks like “Fix It” seem destined for larger venues than the basement of the Banshee Labyrinth. Covers of Iggy Pop and Arctic Monkeys seal the deal: this gig feels like a secret set from a much bigger band.
As a metalhead, I’m happy to be able to headbang, but it’s also nice to be able to sing and dance a bit. Judging by the movement in the room, I’m not the only one.
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It’s disappointing when the room begins to empty just before the start of Not Now Norman’s set and the crowd is sparse when Taylor-Grace – in a quite frankly incredible red and black outfit that is part circus ringmaster, part giant red bird and somehow entirely cool – begins to belt out the first song.
It’s not long before the basement fills up again as audience members are lured away from the bar upstairs by the punky rock-and-roll on show down here.
If you’ve never seen Not Now Norman live (and until now, I hadn’t), you’re in for a treat. Their show is, in a word, fun. Taylor-Grace oozes charisma as she dances centre stage, literally drawing the crowd closer and leading sing-alongs for tracks like “What I Want” and “Judas.”
“I have a terrible taste in men,” she admits and her dad, Zander, on guitar, nods knowingly. She may have a terrible taste in men, but it makes for great lyrical material on tracks like “Shut Your Mouth.” The crowd whoop and cheer as she shares an anecdote about taking revenge on an abusive ex through her music. It’s powerful and in the wrong hands a moment like this could kill the energy for the rest of the set, but Taylor-Grace is so open, sincere and funny that she’s got the whole room on her side.
Closing off with “End of the Day,” we have one more chance to be wowed by Not Now Norman and then the show’s over. We’re all shuffling back up the winding Labyrinth stairs, every one of us with a grin on our faces and really, what more can you want from a night of rock ‘n’ roll?
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Pics by Euan Osbourne (ECO Pixels UK)
