The Virginmarys with support from IDestroy

Norwich Waterfront

Friday, June 5

Sitting still and using minimal electricity isn’t often an option for pissed off punkas IDestroy. For a band who’ve supported heavyweights like Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes and the mighty Skindred, charging around stage, causing chaos is standard. The room is already full, and all eyes are glued to singer/guitarist Bec Jevons and bassist Nic Wilton-Baker, who are possibly stapled to their seats to stop them moving. More likely, though, the duo are weighed down by the force of their more gut-wrenching songs like ‘Headphones’ and ‘Juice’ (which make you wanna hit out) and ‘Tell Your Friends That You Love Them’ (which hits nerves). IDestroy may not be fully plugged in but they still serve surge after surge of vocal voltage and vulnerability, choppy riffs and big bold basslines.

The most powerful album The Virginmarys have written – musically and emotionally – is 2024’s ‘The House Beyond the Fires’. As well as being a collection of tracks that are as sad as they are spikey, and punk as they are poignant, it’s also a tribute. Reworking its songs into piano-lead soundscapes, soft drums and gentle guitars, under the name ‘Beyond the House of Fires’, not only gives the album more life – it gives it a new one. Transforming from a duo to a trio (with Gareth Price on guitar) to tour the alt version actually defies the laws of physics (or gravity, or something like that) and somehow manages to make The Virginmarys quieter. Their gigs are usually a cloudburst of acid rain, with Ally Dickaty spitting venomous lyrics which veer into heartbreaking, and Danny Dolan splitting sticks and skins. But tonight feels like a cleansing shower of silken keys and tender guitars. Danny’s drumming sounds like rolls of thunder in the distance, getting ready to roar when the storm reaches, but never quite breaking. Because the boys’ well-known capacity for musical carnage isn’t what this show is about. The re-worked songs from the new album become beautiful and intimate – especially with Ally on keys. As always, Danny’s eyes are constantly on his partner in crime – wide, considered and waiting for his cues, not death staring and gearing up for his next tirade, as is his trademark in their regular full throttle rock show. Perched on a stool, Gareth’s presence is quiet but his playing is just gorgeous – especially the cinematic guitar in ‘You’re a Killer’. The re-imagining of ‘White Knuckle Riding’ is lush with swirling keys and sorrowful lyrics, which are so crisp and audible. This is a relaxing and reflective, stripped back show which is so charged with rich yet raw emotions that there’s a lot of tears in the room. Tonight The Virginmarys don’t have to shout to be heard.