Support – To Nowhere
Where – Trillians, Newcastle
When 10th April 25
Review and Photographs by Linda Mcdermott
It’s Thursday night and I’m in Trillians in Newcastle, which is a great pub that puts on live music most of the week. Tonight, there are two great grassroots bands playing and admission is free, yes free!
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of live music, in what ever form you prefer, for me it’s rock music. I’ve seen both these bands before and really enjoyed listening to them, so I was very happy that they were playing on the same bill.
First up were the five-piece band To Nowhere who are still fairly fresh to the scene but are already turning heads with their raw, yet melodic sound. From the moment they hit the stage, they had the small venue with a decent crowd of 40 people properly tuned in.
There’s something instantly recognisable about Robbie’s voice, that moves effortlessly from soft and melodic to a harsh and in your face tone that makes you listen. It’s that kind of voice you only have to hear once before you’d know it anywhere and paired with the band’s mix of gritty energy and tuneful hooks, they just work.
Band
Robbie Crown – Vocals
Alex Riffshaw – Guitar
Alex Brown – Guitar
Connor Franklin – Drums
Josh Fodden – Bass & Vocals
The whole band play their part, with tight rhythms, great drum beat and their fun interplay, you could see how much they were enjoying themselves. That kind of energy is infectious. At one point, Robbie and Alex called on the crowd to step forward and properly get into it, and to be fair, everyone did. One particular track (which sadly I didn’t catch the name of) had everyone literally jumping up and down when Robbie said ‘go,’ it’s the kind of moment you want at every gig because that’s how you know the crowd are invested in the band in front of them.
The guys played a mix of old and new songs, (though even the old songs are pretty new) They’ve already got some standout songs out there, I love ‘Bloom,’ with its gently start and backing vocals that eventually breaks free with angst, ‘Medusa,’ with its great guitar riffs pulling it along and the song they finished with ‘Alive,’ gutsy and at full throttle, it grabs you and makes you move, whether you want to or not.
To Nowhere have a bright future, already winning a place on the Trailblazer stage at the Call of the Wild Festival held at the end of May. With the new songs played tonight I can’t wait to hear their next release, so I can add it to my playlist. I know I’m going to like it as there wasn’t a song on the set I didn’t enjoy. I’m genuinely glad I stumbled across To Nowhere.
Set list
Persona
Connected
Uplift
Flood
Tied
Low
Medusa
Think Deep
Bloom
Live
Video
Bloom
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/tonowhereband
https://www.instagram.com/tonowhereband
Then came the headliners, Not Now Norman, with their unmistakable presence. Before a note was even played, Taylor-Grace made an impression, with theatrical make-up, an amazing hat, and that look in her eye that said, “are you ready?”
Taylor-Grace is a great lead singer, full of charisma, funny between songs, and able to flip into raw emotion when the music calls for it. You can tell the lyrics come from real places, with most of the songs rooted in personal experiences, her powerful and expressive voice enables her to deliver her lyrics beautifully.
Band
Taylor-Grace – Vocals
Zander Brown – Guitar/Backing vocals
Julie Plunkett – Bass
Ivy Mead – Drums
There were a few technical issues early on, especially with Zander’s guitar, but none of it phased them. These things happen, but what matters is how you carry on, and carry on they did, with style.
Taylor-Grace, Julie and Ivy totally click in with each other and are clearly enjoying the set and are especially enjoying Zander’s technical issues! But regardless of that, their sound is tight and punchy, with just the right blend of grit and melody.
If I had to pick out a couple of songs tonight I’d probably pick ‘Why Don’t You Like Me’ it’s a punchy, defiant anthem that channels frustration into pure rock energy. From the opening riff, it’s clear this song means business. The vocals are sharp and unapologetic, shifting between vulnerability and venom as the lyrics confront rejection and social judgment head-on. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to turn the volume up and take no nonsense from anyone. Then there’s ’What I Want’ it’s a fierce, unapologetic anthem packed with raw energy and attitude. With gritty guitars and powerful vocals, Not Now Norman lay it all on the line, this is a bold statement of self-worth and standing your ground. No compromises. Just power, purpose, and passion, and the band have us all singing along to the chorus.
There’s so much to really love about Not Now Norman’s sound. With two albums already under their belts, ‘It’s Not This One’ (2022) and ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ (2024) they’ve clearly put the time in, and it shows.
Set List
Reintroducing
Go Hard or Go Home
Who I Am
Houston
Feral
Why Don’t You Like Me
Bad Liar
Judas
Midnight
Mama
What I Want
Mister Know It All
Shut Your Mouth
End of the Day
Check out Not Now Norman’s web page for gig dates.
Video
Who I Am
Website
https://www.facebook.com/NotNowNorman
https://instagram.com/notnownorman?igshid=M2RkZGJiMzhjOQ==
All in all, it was one of those rare nights where both the support and the headliners smashed it in their own way. If you get the chance to see either of these bands live, do it. Whether you’re in for the raw energy and hooks of To Nowhere or the polished, emotional punch of Not Now Norman, you won’t be disappointed either way.
+ There are no comments
Add yours