2016 brings about another year for great rock gigs at the Waterfront venue, and tonight was no different. Headlining the evening was bluesy rock band The Temperance Movement, with support from The Sheepdogs.
The venue was packed to the brim for the sold-out show, long before the music was due to begin. Crowds congregated from the barriers on looking at the stage, to the back walls and exits, ready for the return of the UK-based band.
The sole support for the night and the tour came from Canadian rock and roll band, The Sheepdogs. They opened the night strongly, with immaculate vocals that almost sounded as if they were a recorded track and not live. It’s clear to see that the crowd appreciated them too, ending each song to resounding applause, cheers and whistles; something that isn’t usually all that common with a support band. The band also brought an element of comedy to the stage, joking between songs, enticing the crowd. The Sheepdogs distinguished themselves from others by bringing something different, a trombone in songs, which went down a storm with the crowd, who were fully engaged in the set. The band closed, thanking the crowd and declaring they will make a return to Norwich. “Hope to see you again when we come back!” the crowd cheered as the band exited the stage and began to pack up their equipment. The lights faded to black, and the wait began for the tour headliners, The Temperance Movement.
The stage was carpeted in a traditional Aztec carpet, on top of which began to fill with smoke. The lights faded to black, and the room rose with resounding cheers. The room lit purple as black silhouette figures of the band members could be seen through the dense smoke. The band opened with ‘Three Bulleits’, which was met with intense, loud cheers and screams. It’s from here on in that the cheers only progressed throughout the band’s set.
The Temperance Movement are a British Blues rock band formed in 2011, however came across as a band that had been performing together for centuries. They were polished and clean in all aspects of their performance, going down a storm with the crowd. “Are you alright Norwich? It’s good to be back here” the band proclaimed to the committed fan-built audience. Their stage presence separated them from other bands similar to them. They put 110% into their performance and did not disappoint on a visual entertainment perspective as well as instrumentally. By the third song, the crowd were all clapping along and continued to get involved throughout the whole set. The tambourine was out, and everybody was having a blast. The venue was packed for the band and stayed so until the very end.
There’s no doubt this band provide talent in their sound and in their performance. This gig provided a great night out for both the committed fans and those who are generally interested in this genre of music. I would thoroughly recommend seeing this band on tour.
Words – Mollie Maddox
Photography – Kayleigh Warren
