The first of a triple header of three nights and three gigs. I finally got to a gig with Jimmy Simmonds! A late lunchtime train saw us arrive in Norwich just before 3pm. A few beers in The Bell, one in The Murderers before heading to The Champion. A quick check of Google Maps indicated I’d again got confused with my map reading skills so a taxi to the vicinity of Epic Studios was needed. Another beer in another pub (Ribs of Beef) before settling down at an Indian for a spot of tea finishing on time to get to the studios for the support.
Epic Studios was originally home to the Anglia TV network that produced classic ITV shows such as ‘Sale of the Century’; Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ and ‘The Chief’. The studios have also hosted many popular chat shows including: ‘Trisha’, ‘Loose Women’, ‘The Wright Stuff’, ‘Frank Skinner’s Opinionated’ and ‘Knightmare’ game show and provided sets for the award-winning children’s drama series ‘The Secret of Eel Island’
As a venue for music I thought it was spot on. Standing only which was just about bearable for my aging bones but even at the back of the room I could still see the stage and the sound was impeccable. After the support finished it was time for CAST. Not too dissimilar to the gig we saw earlier in the year (CAST 1) and with LOVE IS THE CALL being my most played album of the year every single song was known. Lots of singing and attempts at dancing and before we knew it the gig was over.
A taxi back to the station before last train home soundtracked by the best of Paul Heaton which is Jim and my next gig together.
Top day, top company and top music.
Five from the debut album ALL CHANGE
Four from album two. MOTHER NATURE CALLS
A standalone single
Eight from the latest release LOVE IS THE CALL (blooming spelling mistake on the set list!)
Faraway
Alright
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