Venue – Epic Studios Norwich

Massive Wagons Gig Review Norwich: High Energy, Big Hooks and a Huge Start

Massive Wagons
Epic Studios Norwich
17 April 26

Epic Studios is just a great venue. The old Anglia Television home has lost none of its charm since it became a live music and sports centre in 2012 – the ceiling, with it’s rigging and tracks for TV cameras has remained intact, so there’s always something interesting to look at when the bands aren’t playing. Add to that the friendly staff and superb lighting and you’ve got a winning formula.

Scarlet Rebels Set the Tone

It was getting nicely full of fans young and old(er) when Llanelli rockers Scarlet Rebels took to the stage a little after 8pm. They received a warm reception and launched straight into “Secret Drug” from 2024’s “Where the Colours Meet”. The melodic number was one of six from the latest album and set the scene for what proved to be a rock solid set of great songs and superb musicianship. With barely a breath between then, they were straight into “Take You Home”, Chris “CJ” Jones’ guitar lick powering the anthemic song and Wayne Doyle getting the whole audience to clap along during the breakdown.

These boys meant business, and the crowd were fully on board! “You Take My Breath Away” from the “Show Your Colours” album saw just one of several incredible solos from CJ. “It Was Beautiful” brought the energy down a little with it’s ballad-like first section before the drums and bass of Gary Doyle and Wayne “Pricey” Esmonde kicked in and the song took off. “Declining” and “Let Me In” rounded off the set, with the latter prompting an audience singalong of the refrain “Take me high, take me low, take me anywhere you wanna go….”.

What an incredible start to the night!

Andy’s Man Club Message

Anticipation was high for Lancashire good-time rockers Massive Wagons (or as Planet Rock’s Darren Reddick calls them “Mahoosive Wahoogans”), but first a representative of Andy’s Man Club took to the stage to speak about men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Everyone listened respectfully as he delivered some hard-hitting facts and figures. It brilliant that Massive Wagons are giving a platform to this group – other’s could follow suit!

https://andysmanclub.co.uk

Massive Wagons Take Over Norwich

The lights dimmed and the Sex Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant” blasted from the PA. As it reached its conclusion, the band appeared on stage and joined in with the final chord – what an entrance, and the by-now packed crowd absolutely loved it!
Without a pause they were straight into new song “Everywhere We Go”, and the energy was infectious from the off. Barry Mills was a sight to behold as he bounced around the stage, high kicking and looking like he was in an aerobics class. It made for some great photos and engaged the adoring crowd from the start. It’s a great song too, and hints at what the new music will sound like. The rest of the band were on fire, with guitarists Stevie Holl (has there ever been a happier musician?) and Adam Thistlethwaite trading riffs while the rock solid rhythm section of bassist Adam “Bowz” Bouskill and drummer Alex Thistlethwaite provided the backbeat.

The set was a glorious tour through the Massive Wagons back catalogue. “Fun While it Lasted” and “Please Stay Calm” saw the audience singing along to every word while Barry tore up the stage like a man possessed. I did love his Oscar the Grouch socks and his “Vote Hope” t-shirt too!
“Fuck the Haters” from “Triggered” saw the audience encouraged to give the middle finger – a request they obliged with gusto.
“Germ”, with its acerbic lyrics, was dedicated to Boris Johnson (“fuck that c**t!” proclaimed Barry), showing exactly where the band’s politics lie before a bluesy guitar intro signalled the start of “Hero” from 2020’s “House of Noise”.

By now the crowd were in full voice and the band were in top gear – what a start to the tour!
The bangers kept coming with classics like “The Good Die Young” and House of Noise” before “China Plates” rounded off the main set.

They returned for the inevitable encore where they expressed love and thanks between “Back to the Stack” and perfect closer “In it Together”.

The Verdict

As the audience left Epic Studios to the strains of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” it was clear we had witnessed a band on top form – and what a treat it was to be at the opening night of what promises to be a massively (excuse the pun!) successful tour!