Band Night

With the stars of the circus spectacular Showdown taking a well-earned breather after performing seven shows in five days in the Adnams Spiegeltent, it was time for some live music. And so, in a feast of local musical talent, four acts were showcased on the Spiegeltent stage, with a four hour show hosted by BBC Introducing's Angelle Joseph. And, with a ticket price of just £10, this turned out to be one of the best value-for-money shows in the whole of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival programme.

The programme openers were Con & Milsky, two sisters from North Norfolk who have been writing and performing songs together for thirteen years, but claimed never to have played on a proper stage before tonight. “Look, we've got our own monitors!”, they excitedly declared as they prepared to begin their set of original songs. James Brooks provided additional Spanish guitar flourishes, and standout song for me was the lively 'Forbidden Fruit'. This was the first time I had seen them live and I absolutely adored their vocal harmonies and their entire stage presence.

Ledbyher is the stage name of bedroom producer Rachel Aisyah Diack, who grew up in Kings Lynn and is now making her own waves down in that there London. Accompanied on stage with live guitar and saxophonist, Ledbyer's set is a smooth and beguiling blend of urban rap with gentle rural influences. Another act to check out properly online once I get home.

Leo Lore is the first of two acts that I have seen and heard before, and although he is now based in South London, he comes from a well-known musical Norwich family. His influences are drawn from Motown, soul and jazz. Perched on a stool, and with his acoustic guitar there to augment a laptop backing track, Leo Lore's music provides an intriguing confluence of both old and new influences.

Fourth act (for there are no headliners – everyone at Band Night is a star in my eyes), is the awesome Pleasure Inc. - hard to define but impossible to ignore. Regular visitors to Norwich Arts Centre, Voodoo Daddy's and the Adrian Flux Waterfront, Pleasure Inc are fronted by brothers Kenny Pleasures and Jonny Silvers, and their sets are an anarchic mix of hiphop, rap and good old indie pop. Think Eminem, Beastie Boys and Blur, all jamming together on stage, and you begin to get the idea. A climactic conclusion to an amazing night of local musical talent.

Congratulations to Norfolk & Norwich Festival for asking BBC Introducing take over the hallowed boards of the Adnams Spiegeltent, and for staging this exciting and enjoyable showcase of contemporary music, and from acts with local connections. The lighting and sound were excellent (how many times have I said that about the Spiegeltent?), the audiences were supportive and appreciative, and the ticket price of just £10 ensured that everyone who wanted to could afford to attend. The best value four hours of Festival entertainment in ages. And well done to all the acts. You were all awesome.

Free live music from local acts resumes at the Festival Gardens bandstand at various times from Thursday to Sunday of this week – check out the Festival website for full details https://nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on/the-band-stand/