As a firm favourite of the some of the country’s most famous bands, it is to be expected that a certain hype would surround The Rascals. With Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys calling their praises from every angle and a musical family background (Kane being the cousin of James Skelly, The Coral), The Rascals have gained recognition on a prestigious scale, particularly thanks to Miles Kane’s side project, The Last Shadow Puppets with best friend Alex Turner. With the album The Age of The Understatement reaching number one in the UK album charts in its first week of release, the side project awarded Kane with the MOJO Breakthrough Artist and the Q Best New Act awards in 2008, not to mention a shortlisting for the Mercury album of the year award.

The Rascals reflect this success in their confident gig at the Norwich Arts Centre. After performances from Norwich’s own The Interpreters, who resemble an edgier Kooks, the crowd patiently wait in agreement with second support, Ringo Jancsi, that ‘its not everyday that a band like The Rascals comes to Norwich’. Kane has a powerful stage presence, a presence that corresponds with the crowd’s reaction of excitement and exhilaration for the band. Opening with songs, Out of Dreams, Freakbeat Phantom, and I’ll Give You Sympathy, the whole venue became entranced at The Rascals eerie guitars and James Bond style tunes.

Unlike the adolescent traits of the supports, The Rascals offer a performance of class, style and poise reflecting the wide gathering of different generations in the audience. Kane has clearly learnt from his experiences of success, understanding that not only does a band need character, a set list of compelling songs and the occasional famous best friend; they also need to have distinction. A characteristic highly depicted in this quality Arts Centre performance.

www.therascals.co.uk