Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

As someone who has been away from Norfolk for a while, the Queen Charlotte on Norwich's Dereham Road is a relatively new venue.

It's not one of the best known, but it's one of the nicest small venues I've come across. There's a good atmosphere shot through with a passion for music.

The line-up featured a headliner from New York, Levy, who have supported Ash among others, with local warm-up acts Arcadia Lake and the exceedingly lively Ray Brower.

Arcadia Lake

Arcadia Lake showed off their clever instrumentals, unusual but catchy rhythms, and a subtle beauty reminiscent of their namesake, Arcadia Lake in Oklahoma.

Think Radiohead, Mogwai, with Tom McRae on vocals and an underlying influence of Jethro Tull and you are part of the way there.

They are very talented players, with their strengths lying in the soothing sounds they so clearly love. Some people in the audience seemed really bemused, but this musicians' band can go far in their field.

Ray Brower impressed with their set

Ray Brower

Next were the popular Ray Brower, who have gained a following in Norwich and it's easy to see why.

Their classic rock, which has strains of the Dead 60s and a touch of the psychedelic era, is perfect sing-a-long goodness which had the less self-conscious crowd members dancing along with them.

Please release a CD, guys, my sound system needs you!

Levy

Then came Levy, the perfect band for a summer festival. Melodic, poppy with more than a little influence of U2 - they are a cracking combination for people to dance to, and their stage antics made me laugh.

The smaller venues are obviously the most intimate, and in this case also provided a nearby bar for the guitarist to take a break during a chorus, get two beers, and dance back on stage to make a flawless entry into his solo. Fantastic stuff.

Levy artistically wield their guitars!

Delve behind the frivolity on stage however, and you have thoughtful, brooding lyrics that reveal the juxtaposition of happiness and sadness.

Disguising the words with an upbeat sound just adds to the confusion. A metaphor for life, it seems.

This band could hit the upper echelons of the UK charts if more people knew about them, and I hope they're able to get shows at bigger venues around the country.

They would be a great addition to any summer festival where their music would shine out - even on a January night the warmth of James Levy's voice and music brings sunshine. An excellent band with a bright future.

And as for Ray Brower, I think I have a new favourite band.

Levy, Ray Brower and Arcardia Lake played the Norwich Arts Centre on Friday, 25 January, 2008.