Preview: Norwich Sound & Vision 2016

Words originally for Vapour Trail Blog

From Live at Leeds to Dot to Dot to Brighton's world renowned Great Escape, multi-venue festivals are the blockbuster weekends that so many of us wait for patiently for most of the year. Often overlooked is Norwich Sound & Vision Festival, by far the best of its kind the East of England, and improving with every edition. A host of new artists have been freshly announced for this year's weekend, which takes place in October, so without further ado, here are our top 10 picks from the line-up.

Black Foxxes

Touring with the likes of Nothing But Thieves and Milk Teeth helped put these Exeter rockers on the map this year, but it's not like they needed it; their raw songs come with a raucous energy, and their upcoming debut album 'I'm Not Well' stands as one of the most anticipated of 2016.

InHeaven

These indie newcomers mix classic and glam rock elements into a deliciously retro signature sound that have landed them praise from DIY, Huw Stephens and more. As part of a huge debut headline tour slated for September/October they're stopping off to give Norwich a taste of the sweet stuff.

Let's Eat Grandma

This year, Norwich's own Let's Eat Grandma shot to the top of universal buzz lists with their phenomenally obscure debut album 'I Gemini'. As a Sound & Vision regular for the past few years, this will be their victory lap on home turf, to what will undoubtedly be a crowd of their oldest and biggest fans. They've also just been announced for In The Woods Festival - tickets are still available.

Cabbage
YAK and Blossoms are fans of this Manchester five-piece, who make sloppy alt rock with a hilarious twist. If their latest single 'Dinner Lady' is anything to go by, it could be said that they don't take themselves too seriously, and their live show has been described as similar. With a huge tour supporting Blossoms lined up for the Autumn, this will be a rare opportunity to catch them in a tiny venue before they inevitably shoot to bigger things.

Yonaka

Their name means 'the dead of night' in Japanese, which they suit perfectly. Heralding from Brighton, this quartet have had love from Radio 1 and DIY, but are biding their time release wise with an EP expected very soon. Read our interview with them from last month where they talk pop music, producers, and wanting to perform with Skepta.

Hannah Lou Clark

Another local act finding success across the country is this singer/songwriter, whose dusky guitar numbers brim with golden melodies. She has Spring King Tarek's approval, who's worked with her in the studio, and after a fantastic performance at LeeFest last month, ours too! Head here to read the rest of our LeeFest verdict. 

Bad Breeding
High octane alt-rock is this outfit's game. They're angry and brash, and returning to Sound & Vision after supporting Childhood two years ago, expect a touch of madness to be delivered. They also tour the UK throughout October, with all the details here.

Purson

Heading up the bill are these London psychedelics, whose latest record 'Desire's Magic Theatre' arrived in April to widespread acclaim. Rosalie Cunningham fronts the outfit, her bewitching vocals intertwining with folk and proggy elements that make up their curious songs. For a taste of the seventies with a modern twist, look no further than these guys.

Plastic Mermaids

Science dictates that species inhabiting islands can often evolve in unusual ways to unique and sometimes wacky conclusions. Hailing from the Isle of Wight, this downbeat quintet may not have been totally isolated when they made 'Alaska', but the track's wispy elegance still comes streets ahead from most acts doing similar things. Candid songwriting and abstract synth mastery puts Plastic Mermaids solidly in our top ten acts to see at Sound & Vision.

Teen Brains

Founded in Suffolk and now based in London, Teen Brains are another S&V familiar heading back this year an established act, rather than just some local kids who play guitar. They got a taste of the touring life last year when they hit the road supporting Turnover, and next month release their second (and much looked forward to) EP, 'Translucent'. Clash recently premiered its title track, a wash of shoegaze goodness with nods to Hookworms and DIIV. 

Norwich Sound & Vision takes place Thursday 13th - Saturday 15th October. The full programme contains three days of live music, plus conferences and talks with industry figures too. Tickets/wristbands are on sale now.

www.norwichsoundandvision.co.uk