Word and photos by Mark Stimpson
Glaswegian indie rock trio The Fratellis came to Norwich last night to celebrate the release of their sixth studio album, Half Drunk Under A Full Moon. Released a year ago this tour has been a long time
coming.
The evening kicked off with support from local band Red Wine Talk. Judging from the cheers as they walked on stage they had brought along a small army of fans. Lead singer Ed is a real showman and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. They’ve recently signed a record deal and are on the rise. Go see them if you can.
During the break there were impromptu chants of Chelsea Dagger as the audience grew impatient. The near capacity crowd went wild at the familiar sound of Jacques Offenbach’s Can Can. For brief
moment I was expending Bad Manners to walk on stage but then there was a huge cheer as Jon, Mince and Barry walk on stage. Tonight, the trio are joined by a trumpet and sax brass section and a trio of backing singers smartly dressed in black tails and dickie bows. Sporting his customary hat, Jon cuts an imposing figure. Opening with Henrietta their first track from their first album they instantly filled the room with the intangible energy that they are renowned for.
As the evening progresses, we are treated to banger after banger of both old and new tracks. For me the standout songs for me are Henrietta, Whistle For The Choir, Vince the Loveable Stoner, Flathead, Ole Black N Blue Eyes and of course Chelsea Dagger. Completely unexpected is a brilliant cover of
Baccara’s Yes Sir I Can Boogie which has the audience singing along. The set ends with Baby Fratelli and We Need Medicine. As the band leave the stage, the audience chant Chelsea Dagger.
The encore saw Jon alone gave us a solo performance of Lay Your Body Down. Next up is the song that the crowd had been waiting for, and as the first chords of Chelsea Dagger rang out, the venue
was transformed into a mass of jumping bodies, arms thrust in the air and everyone singing at the top of their voices. The evening ends with a cover of Dion’s Runaround Sue, The Fratellis had delivered a solid performance, proving that they are at the top of their game.
Set List
Henrietta
Baby Don’t You Lie to Me!
Impostors (Little by Little)
Whistle for the Choir
Living in the Dark
Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (Baccara cover)
Vince the Loveable Stoner
Stand Up Tragedy
Creepin’ Up the Backstairs
Jeannie Nitro
Ole Black ‘n’ Blue Eyes
Six Days In June
Flathead
Too Much Wine
Baby Fratelli
We Need Medicine
Encore:
Lay Your Body Down
Chelsea Dagger
Runaround Sue (Dion cover)
All photos in this review are copyrighted to the Photographer and should not be used without permission
