Trifter

Of all the cities in Britain, one in particular is beginning to stand out when you consider the idea of a vibrant and upcoming music scene: Norwich. It may primarily be famous for its six-fingered, carrot-crunching residents and an atrocious football team, but Norwich has an exciting and expanding arts scene, with music undeniably at its core.

Norwich’s bands and artists, the parents of their own brand of brilliant, brilliant music, are enough on their own to place the city firmly on the musical world map. Notable artists include pop-punk stars The Kabeedies, an indie-pop outfit who have toured the whole of Europe and played everywhere from London’s Hyde Park to Glastonbury since getting together just a few years ago, the magnificent Vanilla Kick who have quickly become BBC favourites through their own special blend of alternative indie rock, and Alex Sheppard – a pioneer of anti-folk who has done everything from get drunk with Carl Barat to perform acapella at last year’s Latitude Festival.

These artists are just one aspect of what makes the live music scene in Norwich so utterly delectable. The other significant part is the number of wonderful live music venues on offer. The renowned UEA LCR and Waterfront venues, run by students of the University of East Anglia, have housed everyone from Good Charlotte to Kate Nash to Calvin Harris to Dizzee Rascal in recent years. More impressive still, Norwich Arts Centre played host to Nirvana, Damien Rice and Tori Amos on their very first UK tours. It’s with this notable heritage that Norwich ends up on the tour listings of every major upcoming band. Smaller but incredibly well-established venues such as B2 / The Brickmakers, the Queen Charlotte and Take 5 boast reputations for showcasing some of the best of Norwich’s homegrown music.

Other aspects of the industry have also flourished in recent years. Norwich’s award-winning community radio station, Future Radio, is recognised as one of the best in the country, while independent listings magazine Outline is undoubtedly the most widely read and best known music publication in East Anglia. Both Future Radio and Outline balance an interest in the diverse and varied local musical community with an appreciation, respect and avid interest in the wider music industry.

The latest and most interesting addition to Norwich’s music scene has been the emergence of a nationwide music company based in the city. Jigsaw House only began this August, but looks let to make a huge name for itself in Norwich and beyond – they’re an artist-oriented company with a genuine passion for the music, and they offer everything from complete marketing to social networking and public relations to copywriting and management. It will be very interesting to see if Jigsaw House stands to develop the Norwich music scene even further in time, and truly establishes Norwich for everything it deserves.