Jeffrey Lewis and The Junkyard: 29/08/2009, Norwich Arts Centre

by Miss Lady Lee via Flickr

It could only be a bunch of arty Americans who are both daring and stupid enough to play a show on the Saturday night of Britain’s biggest bank holiday, which also happens to every year coincide with two of the biggest events of the festival season – Reading and Leeds. And it’s only Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard who, despite all that, have the ability to successfully fill Norwich Arts Centre for an evening of anti-folk goodness.

The evening’s support acts provided an ample warm up for perhaps the most diverse array of Norfolkians to ever gather in the same place. Opening the show was solo singer-songwriter Lucky James Boyce, followed by Tiger MCs. These two local acts fitted strangely well with the New York anti-folk stars headlining – Jack Lewis And The Fishermen 3 and Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard.

The Lewis boys’ energetic, exciting and totally unique performance style and musical attitude created a fantastic atmosphere. The mood captured and engaged a group of people utterly mesmerised by the brilliant minds of America’s finest, and despite the notable length of the show, there wasn’t one point where there wasn’t a smile on my face simply for the quality of the performances.

Kitsch touches like the Lewis brothers painting the 7″ vinyl covers at the merchandise stand added to the overall effect of the show. Photo opportunities and chats with fans also made for an extra happy audience who were totally hooked in.

Jeffrey Lewis truly is a creative genius, and this one of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time. Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard are a fantastic band and superb performers – make sure you take some time out from the mundane activities of everyday life to check these guys out when they next play near you!