Band Night NNF 2024

BBC Introducing Norfolk and Suffolk have been an integral part of the Norwich and Norfolk Festival from the very beginning. They’ve championed and supported undiscovered, unsigned and under-the-radar acts for decades across the counties, bringing the magic and music to our eyes and most importantly ears. Shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming artists from our regions they’ve brought an eclectic mix with them for this wonderful Band Night situated in the quite glorious surroundings of Festival Gardens.

Opening the night is a truly delightful young man going by the name W3ST. He’s a UK/Namibian artist who has found himself knuckling down in Norfolk and writing songs that reflect his life to date. His music is a fusion of Afro Beats and melodic Rap with a lovely hint of 90s New Jack Swing added into the melting pot. Being first up on stage isn’t always an easy task but W3ST takes to it like a dream and pulls the audience into the venue from their deckchairs outside. With songs like "Pray For Me' and ‘Kunenduge (No Manners)’ it is clear to see W3ST has a very bright future ahead of him. Anyone who gives a shout out to their mum deserves the highest of praise.

Up next, we have and RNB singer whose voice filled the tent with sheer power and unbridled joy. Isamya brings a touch of old-fashioned soul and collides it with modern, fresh energy.Her songs are reflective about who she is and who she wants to be. Latest single 'Lemonade' a song written about making the most of what life throws at you, will appeal to young and old. She road tests some new songs which goes down wonderfully with the captive audience and the remix version of her previous single 'Feel' sets a real groove and gets everyone moving.

Kitty Perrin is a staple of BBC Introducing and tonight she absolutely shines with her wonderful band. Having recently been on a hugely successful tour, Kitty returns to Norwich with a building, bright catalogue of melodic goodness and song writing that is getting better and better. Despite confessing she was feeling a little nervous her performance was incredibly assured. Her band-mates have clearly honed their sound and there is a striding confidence in their delivery. Songs like the brilliant new release 'Death Metal' (written about the struggles of love within the confides of mental health and listening to the Death Metal genre) and 'First Love' really show the sheer power and talent on display. The future is absolutely in Kitty’s hands.

Our final instalment of the night is the quite mesmerising Floral Image who have a stellar career ahead of them. The band’s demos were originally championed by BBC Introducing back in 2020 and since then have grown and grown, finally seeing the release of their debut EP So Synthesised in April of last year. Songs from said EP fill the Speigeltent with euphoric sounds and huge riffs aplenty. Their ferocious noise puts the audience into a hedonistic transcendent state of mind. These songs demand to be heard on the biggest of stages possible. The driving rock and huge synths absolutely nail down the 70s sound with a modern slant with nods to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Floral Image’s charm and energy shines through consistently and with songs like the brilliant 'Gallipoli' that just builds and builds into blissful delight and the equally powerful 'Babe & The Devil' the future belongs to them.They have the audience in the palm of their collective hands. it is now time for the rest of the world to catch up.

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