Norwich’s live music scene is thriving, and NEW NOISE! is at the forefront of championing young original talent. A monthly initiative in collaboration with Access Creative College Norwich, Norfolk Music Hub, Play Produce Promote, and Pica Pica Promo, NEW NOISE! provides a platform for emerging musicians aged 14-25 to showcase their work across all genres. The artists featured are hand-picked by industry professionals, ensuring a high standard of creativity and originality. 

On the 10th of December, I had the chance to experience one of NEW NOISE’s live nights at Voodoo’s Showroom (who also do incredible pizza!). The lineup featured Narcolepsy, The All Tomorrows, Seasonz, and Chest. From the moment I stepped into the venue, it was clear that this event was something special. The atmosphere was intimate yet high-energy and the anticipation was palpable. The audience was a diverse mix of all ages and backgrounds, cementing the fact that great music transcends demographics. 

Chest, an Indie band hailing from Norwich, took to the stage as the headliner, and I have to say – it was my favourite performance of the night! The band’s vocalist, Joel, exuded infectious energy, completely immersing himself in the music and feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. A raw, genuine enthusiasm for performing can be difficult to find in live performances nowadays but this was certainly Chest’s strong point. Chest are a band to watch out for, their songs are both anthemic and introspective, with dynamic builds that explode into euphoric choruses. Their stage presence was nothing short of magnetic, and the synergy between band members made for an electrifying performance that left a lasting impression. 

Narcolepsy, consisting of NUA students, kicked off the night with a striking performance. Their set brought a refreshing sound that immediately drew my attention. Their ability to blend dynamic instrumentals with powerful vocals created a hypnotic effect, setting the perfect tone for the evening. 

Next up was Seasonz, an artist from East London, who cited London-based rap collective DBE (D-Block Europe) as one of his influences. His fusion of melodic rap and atmospheric beats provided an interesting contrast to the last act, keeping the audience engaged with polished sound and confident stage presence. 

NEW NOISE! is doing something truly special for Norwich’s music scene, offering a much needed platform for young, original artists to share their work with a wider audience. The event not only highlights incredible local talent but also fosters a real sense of community. If you’re passionate about discovering new music and supporting upcoming artists, I highly recommend catching one of these nights. You never know, you might just witness the rise of the next big act! 

Check out @newnoisenorfolk and @picapicapromo on Instagram for more information! 

Photo Credit: New Noise