Friday night at the Arts Centre, Norwich and the body heat from inside the hall stands in stark contrast to the freezing temperatures outside. Killamonjambo and friends have filled the venue to near capacity and there is an excited urgency in the air.

It’s easy to be apprehensive of local music these days. The permeation of Myspace culture brings issues of over saturation. Pro-Tools production is more accessible than ever, and it’s feasible for a sloppy live band to sound like a tight, well-oiled machine on record. Shelling out to see a local, unsigned act has become a risk. It is therefore refreshing to see, not only the talent and innovation of the bands on Killamonjambo’s bill, but the enthusiasm of their audience.

J.P, a four piece alt/folk troop kick off the proceedings a little after eight o’ clock. Their rootsy, melancholic quality seems disparate from the musical styling of the headliners and is indicative of the diversity of acts that is to follow.

Their warmly received set over, and Ed Sheeran takes to the stage. A young singer/songwriter with a wealth of experience already under his belt, he performs with ease. Heartfelt and introspective numbers display a maturity beyond his seventeen years and his impressive use of a loop pedal provides a rich backing to passionate vocals.

The Moo makes their presence known with a raw energy to which the bovine association of their name does not allude. Vintage punk clashes with contemporary synths as front man Lewi displays a hyperactive charisma to which the audience enthusiastically responds. A tight backing from the rest of the band results in an enjoyable set.

As The Moo exit, one has to wonder if Killamonjambo have shot themselves in the foot with the choice of such a high calibre supporting bill. Doubts are quickly quashed by the raucous reception from the audience upon the band’s entry. The reaction is justified, for the next forty-five minutes of infectiously upbeat ska/funk are a blast. Killamonjambo perform with a vigour that encourages maximum crowd participation. The audience dances, skanks and sings along with an unashamed enjoyment seldom seen at a local level.

The flat, slightly disappointing production of Killamonjambo’s EP does nothing to exhibit the full-bodied bombast of the band’s live show. Horns and guitars work in synchronicity with a tight, rehearsed rhythm section while dual vocals sing and scat with fluid ease. An inspired cover of Dizzee Rascall’s Fix Up, Look Sharp display’s the band’s talent for adaptation and sits comfortably alongside originals such as Changed My Mind and Rip My Feet Away. Their set seems over all too quickly and clearly leaves a vocal audience wanting more.

Along with their impressive support acts, Killamonjambo display the potential of unsigned music in the Norwich area. A shining example to other up-and-coming acts, their powerhouse performance clearly demonstrates that there are local bands who can cut the mustard in the live arena and are most definitely worth paying to see.

Words > Alec Plowman