Music > Live Reviews

Inspiral Carpets/Shed Seven @ UEA

18/12/15

It’s been a while since the Inspirals last graced a stage in Norwich, so tonight has been on the wish list for quite some time and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

With the unmistakable sound of Clint Boon’s keyboard pumping away it was an instant positive mood filler as they hit the stage with lead singer Stephen Holt pogoing around the stage space hopper style throughout. Kicking off proceedings with Joe and then blasting their way through another eleven songs including She Comes In The Fall, Two Worlds Collide, This Is How It Feels, Dragging Me Down, I Want You and Saturn 5 which was dedicated to astronaut Tim Peake (apparently he’s a big fan of the band)and then the John Cooper Clarke inspired single Let You Down. The resplendent Boon was as ever in great form throughout with constant banter with the sell-out crowd. Some new tracks have been written, but there are unfortunately no real plans to do any headline shows anytime soon.

Wow! What a band to have as a warm up act. It was truly a great pleasure to have the Oldham soul train back in the City. And so onto the Shed’s!

The theme tune from The High Chaparral momentarily played as the band walk on to begin their set. Kicking off proceedings with She Left Me On Friday, lead singer Rick Witter leapt straight into his wiry dad-dancing to mad applause. He is a great frontman and had some quite brilliant banter with the crowd throughout the performance. He would make a great game show host one day. Tonight the band, with a full brass section pulled out all of the stops, playing to their biggest crowd since they reformed back in 2007. There is no doubting their fine track record of hit singles and it was just one big singalong throughout for the largely tanked up crowd that lip sync the words! Unfortunately nights like these can bring out the worst in some people! The greatest hits set list contained all the usual favourites On Standby, Going For Gold, Speakeasy, Where Have You Been Tonight, the bongo beating Dolphin and for the encore, Chasing Rainbows.  

The show was certainly a Maximum High for many tonight, but I doubt that many will even remember where they were this evening when they wake up in the morning.