Your first sell out gig is a special moment for any artist, and this was a very special show. I know it’s early in the year, I know it sounds like hyperbole (hopefully the fact I’ve acknowledged that is equivalent to attending ‘Hyperbole Anonymous’ and so my transparency will lead to you taking the forthcoming assertion seriously) but this felt like a ‘gig of the year’ vibe. I will never forget the first time I saw NOAH live.
There was great energy in the air from the get go. That unique buzz of a sell-out show in your hometown, in an intimate venue, with all the interpersonal connections. The fact everyone knows someone, chatting away in expectation, adding an extra chemisty to the tangible buzz already in the air. All complemented by two awesome support acts who are clearly part of the NOAH family, pretty much literally. First up an ole Nusic fav JOY MUMFORD taking some time out of dissertation craziness to charm The Bodega with her beautiful voice, catchy tunes and all round radiant aura. She always looks so happy it strikes you how impossible it is to not have fun in her presence, I reckon doctors should prescribe JOY MUMFORD instead of prozac.
If NOAH ‘s performance wins the Nusic ‘Goal of the Season’ award than JOEL BAKER has already wrapped up the ‘Tease of the Year’ award. The main support tonight Joel is the man who’s been driving Nusic HQ to distraction this year with his (dare we mention the C-word?) co, co, covers. And don’t even get us started on how difficult it is to get a session date with this man! Yes the covers were unique and awesome, hinting and teasing at great things but we had to wait till last month before we finally heard some original JB material. Our second time catching Mr Baker live we again have to ask why’s he’s been keeping the original material back? Because I gotta tell ya it is sooooo spot on. Like Joy you wonder if Joel should be prescribed on the NHS. An infectious energy, STELLAR voice and super catchy songs, which the scores of girls at the front were loving, and we all know where the girls go the rest of the crowd follows. For a pair of lungs like Joel’s its simply a matter of time before the national radio play starts to kick in, just maybe cut back on the girlfriend jokes a bit JB.
Next up the main event, I was smitten from the first note, they had me at ‘hello Nottingham’ to paraphrase a certain movie, the African Uncle fashion tips simply sealed the deal. Speaking of deal these guys are the real deal. They sound great, they play superbly and they’ve written a number of spectacularly vibrant tunes. NOAH dominate the stage, in a friendly, cheeky, give me a hug I love you man kinda way. Obvs the music is what matters most but it doesn’t hurt they’ve got great stage presence, genuinely funny banter and yes they’re hot too.
Indeed NOAH have it all, if for some reason they don’t make it as musicians they should run the United Nations. There’s no way the US and Iran could have a fight with NOAH ‘s energy, positivity and massive smiles in the room. So maybe we should stop being selfish and hoping NOAH are going to be another great Nottingham act, and in the interests of the planet send them off to help nurture world peace? With a name like NOAH they feel like a band destined to do more than just make pop music, maybe NOAH are here to save the world? Again.
#SpreadTheLove
@MarkDel1L
