The Datsuns/The Polyphonic Spree/Interpol/The Thrills- Norwich UEA

Firstly, I'm late out of the house, due to the amount of homework i have this evening, and the unreasonably early doortime for the NME Show at the UEA (6:30pm?). When i arrive doors havent even opened, so i go around the corner to the bar, to get a drink, to cool down after almost running all the way down there. In the bar are the Datsuns and Interpol, i notice the latter first, because they are perhaps the only band on the bill tonight which i particulary like. They are sitting at opposite ends of the bar, so i'm guessing that the comradery that the NME always claims on its tour, is a lot of ****. I go to the bar and bump into my girlfriend, (who i didnt know was coming until later, as she claimed she would miss The Thrills, because she hated them anyway). Jen saw Interpol and marched over to speak to them, there was only five of them, so it was relatively low key intrusion, in my opinion. Jen introduces herself and the guys all respond very well, she talks to them like they are her best friends, and despite their foreigness to the country, they respond to and rather than just questioning them, they speak in turn. I dont really say much, I'm happy just listening to this awesome band, i say a couple of things to Daniel and he responds before we descend into the main conversation as their tour manager says something which everyone has to respond to. They eventually realize its late and they have a show to play, i laugh and Jen smiles a lot and they leave and we follow through the front enterance (not with interpol obviously) and get a middle centre position. Jen looks at me and goes "Hi" and tilts her head, and she looks really beautiful, and i feel proud of her for some reason.
The moment is broken by my Brother, who hits me in the back and asks me if any bands tonight will be any good, in his mockery, i know the answer anyway type tone. I want to kick him hard and run off, but you know that wouldnt work out well for anyone, so I Tell him that Interpol are really good and he agrees and i laugh and ask why he asked me, and he just says "Just trying to see what you think..." and hopefully i dont get to respond because Interpol come on. I love Tobey.
Interpol are brilliant, its all from THAT album, and its all the songs you want to hear live in a darkened room between your girlfriend and your big brother (no incest comments please) the light show is amazing, and every song feels like its battering you around the head with its very foundations. Obstacle 1 is just one big pounding bass line and bass drum. Say Hello is the most dramatic and fragile and out of control as you could ever want it. A lot of the people in the audience seem to be less than interested, maybe its too smart for them, maybe its just because they havent heard it a million times YET. But Interpol dont really seem to give a toss, and when their tragically short set is over, i feel warm and tired and happy and miserable, and its obvious that no other band playing tonight will scale the heights they will scale.
Tobey looks blown away as does Jen, while one of our other friends, calls them **** several times, and says that she cant wait for the Datsuns, IDIOT!
The Polyphonic Spree are on next and they are the opposite to Interpol but equally as good, just they are chirpy as hell and instead of raiding your soul they warm up your heart. Each song feels like a warm hug and Tobey and I push to the front and jump along together, even though he must be at least 6 inches taller than me. We notice that Lisa Horton from Norwich Insane Popsters Bearsuit is a member of the Spree this evening. Woo Hood Norwich Rocks!!!
As for the Datsuns, they only have one song, and its only okay when your drunk, which we arent, we are underage remember and do not condone that sort of behaviour. They play alright, but they show off way too much and dont really seem to have the substance to back up their style... so i leave early.
Ultimately Interpol are the best slice of gloom popness since Joy Divison and The Polyphonic Spree will warm you to the core...
Tobey blags us into the aftershow party, where his girlfriend is as well, and we speak to various members of different bands, i bump into Tim PS, and instead of just demanding autographs or whatever, i thank him for the great performance, ask about lisa and just talk to him about Texas, and he seems relieved, and i decide that this is a great way to talk to bands you like... We have a drink with Interpol and love them... Speak to the Datsuns and dont love that either. Tobey's girlfriend drives Jen back to Holt and we go home... It's late and I'm going to be very tired in the morning.
NEXT UP: ZWAN (Billy Corgan! YES!)