Wargasm, Karen Dió and Tropic Gold
The Waterfront, Norwich
9/11/2024
You get venues that feel friendly when you enter. The Waterfront is like that. It’s unremarkable on the outside but once inside it has an air of warmth (even though the actual temperature isn’t), it’s welcoming. That makes the job of opening acts such as Tropic Gold that much easier. The alt rockers have plenty of fizz and frontman Jacob Parris leads like his life depends on it. We get rock, metalcore and even pop in the mix which adds depth. This set only enhances an already fast growing reputation as ones to watch.
There are quite a few people unsure of what to expect when they see the name Karen Dió as support. What we get is a treat. This Brazilian artist has a hard rock voice to die for. She can play guitar like an absolute star too. And she changes things up musically from one song to the next. We get rock, punk, metal and copious amounts of verve. Above all else you know you are seeing a class act from first note to last. Let’s hope Dió doesn’t leave it too long to grace our shores again.
Before we launch into the Wargasm review’s inevitable focus on the dynamic duo we need to heap no small amount of praise on the other three musicians on stage tonight. They are fantastic, not simply for their playing but also the mad enthusiasm that they carry with them. They help to make the whole show crackle with excitement. And then of course we have Sam and Milkie igniting everything they come near. Their energy levels are superhuman making this whole set something truly special. The Norwich crowd are whipped up into a frenzy for over an hour, captivated by a magical performance. Harpy appears for ‘ Bang Ya Head’, who needs Fred anyway? ‘Do It So Good’ is anthemic. It’s like being at one of those defining moments in live music that you read about. The Ramones at CBGBs, Motorhead slaying The Marquee Club, and now we have, at least for some, Wargasm at The Waterfront.
Review and photos by Gary Trueman