Wild Paths Pre-Party - The Empty Threats

Wild Paths gets underway properly on Thursday, with a programme that features over 150 acts performing in fifteen venues across the city.

Edwyn Collins

What a truly great performer and beautiful man Collins is as he bows out, for good, from playing live.

Meryl Streek

Quite the most extraordinary performance that I have seen at the Waterfront Studio.

Billy Nomates

A slickly delivered show, and a long-overdue return to Norwich for Billy Nomates

John Cooper Clarke

His masterly command of the stage and his considerable charisma hides it well, but he has been trotting out the same gags, the same asides and - of course - the same poems for at least fifteen years. How big a problem that represents is largely down to the affection in which he is held.

Josie Long - Now Is The Time Of Monsters

Yes, there was prepared stuff about grinding her teeth, a throwaway reference to Charlie Kirk, and a criticism of the status quo (situation, not band) but nothing compared to the comedy gold of the UPS distribution centre in Tamworth.

Ideal

It was all a bit bonkers, the surreal queasiness of the TV show trumped by the need to make an audience laugh out loud. And in fairness, laugh they did.

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway blockbuster Hamilton brings the founding fathers to Norwich in a revolutionary performance.

Rock'n'Roll Circus

Rock N Roll Circus is coming to town for three packed days of live music &entertainment – and here is All You Need to Know.

Norwich Castle Keep

Simply stunning and superb in equal measure

THE CASTLE: REBUILDING HISTORY -Literally a look behind the door

Get a feel for the amazing work that has gone on.....

Wild Paths 2025 14th - 18th October

Kids in Glass Houses discuss their new album

Kids in Glass Houses guitarist Iain Mahanty joined me for a quick call just days before the release of the group’s comeback album Pink Flamingo.

The Howlers

Gabby Rivers - Rework Taylor Swift 8th June

Barish - Rework Taylor Swift 8th June

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy

From the rainforests of Ghana, Alogte Oho brightens the rainy skies of Norwich with his enthusiastic Sounds of Joy.

Corto.alto

This electric jazz performance had me shocked with how good it was.

BBC Singers

Stunning semi-improvised sections made for a compelling listening experience, enhanced by some stunning solo singing.

Toast + Songs of the Bulbul

However many N&N shows you see, at least one Toast session should be part of the mix, especially if you can top it off with a Song of the Bulbul.

When Rivers Meet

King King - Waterfront Norwich - 10th March

Afternoon Tea - That's Right Afternoon Tea

What the hell is Outline up to you may well say.......... Well we got an invite so why not go along, thought we would send our Jessica along

Brix and Bones

I usually try to surmise at the end of a review, but let’s put our cards on the table: what is to follow is an attempt to do justice to one of the most exciting, most exceptional meals I’ve had in a long time.

Danomey Kitchen @ The Stanley

A month in but Danomey kitchen are serving beautiful plates with a whole heap of great tastes.

Blue's Kitchen @ The Rosebery

Blue's kitchen made their name with their impressive lockdown takeaways, now this was my chance to go out, into the real world, and try it ........

Feast - Eliza Delf and the Wilderness

Here is a collection of songs to feast on, a taster menu of all that Eliza and her pals offer, one artfully window dressed in poignant lyricism, of love and longing and loss.

COMPULSION - COMFORTER & THE FUTURE IS MEDIUM

Two arguably unrecognised classics get the rerelease treatment and are well worth checking out.

Kitewing

Support local talent. Buy this album. And watch Kitewing soar.

Brown Horse - Reservoir

It’s a brilliant debut with all the flavours and buzz of that very special gig.

Best of 2023

Our volunteer writers and photographers are STARS. Not only do they trudge along to all kinds of shows and gigs in Norwich, they also take the time to write reviews and take photos so y’all can pretend you were there. Here are some of their personal picks on music and more in the year of 2023!

Baque Luar - NNF 2024

Baque Luar is all about the beat, and that is what their first visit to Norwich will be remembered for, long after this year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival has ended.

Apartment House NNF 2024

The musicians’ performance was very respectful of the original album and largely managed to recreate its dark, chilling, chaotic quality while being able to add subtle touches of their personality

An Accident/ A life

Viewed as pure spectacle, this was the kind of grandstanding show not seen at the festival for years, thankfully forestalling what had been a shrinking theatrical component. The bigger question, however, is whether that spectacle served the show's strong autobiographical content.

Laura Misch - NNF 2024

Another wonderfully atmospheric music evening within the Adnams Spiegeltent.