Live Review: Henge - Arts Centre, Norwich
23rd January 2025
Support: Mr Vast
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
A lovely throw back for me tonight, Norwich Arts Centre is somewhere that I often would visit in my younger years, and I love that they are still putting on live music. It is an old church that's had it various modern upgrades. Not much different to how I remember it, but still brilliant non the less.
So first up Mr Vast. Honestly was not sure what to expect here, and still was taken back. For anyone that has not heard of them, this is a two piece group, that is described as “The Monty Python of Electronic Music”, which to be fair, that is pretty accurate. It is an absolutely hilarious and entertaining set that doesn’t seem to make sense, although I am sure they know what they are doing.
I feel like it is more performance art than anything, however the music is fun, upbeat and made for a good time. Featuring samples from a fair few hit songs but with a certainly interesting twist on them. It is strange and confusing, yet every one in the crowd is loving it. Certainly a great choice of artist to open up for Henge!
Now onto headliners Henge who are in keeping with the strange theme. Having only heard of them when I got asked if I wanted to pop along and review the show. I searched them on youtube, heard about twenty seconds of “Ascending” and decided it would be stupid not to go along.
When originally explaining to people who Henge were, I think I likened it to Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, with more drugs involved. Seeing them live though, I want to add to that; Hawkwind, War of The Worlds, Pendulum, all in a blender, and I imagine it would come out sounding a bit like this.
Tonight is the first show of their 2025 headline tour which sees them touring both UK and Europe, marking the occasion with a sold out show is always a good sign! If you have not heard of Henge before they are space travellers that have graced our planet since 2015, bringing their “Cosmic Dross“ with them. A great mix of, funk, electronic and rock that really is an absolutely unique sound. Elements of all those genres are sprinkled throughout their set, and all of it is nailed perfectly.
There is so many changes even in just one song, really catchy guitar riffs, laced with what feels like drum and bass influenced backing. Then we have the synth aspect. It really is a struggle to explain it on paper and do it justice. As with a lot of these smaller type bands, they look as though they genuinely love what they do and appreciate all of the people that come to see them.
Sadly, I did not get a peak at the set list, But please for the love of god, head to Spotify and check them out. They deserve a much bigger following than they currently have. Also, take a look at the link below, this shows the rest of their upcoming tour. If you have not heard of them and fancy a night of really fun music, a night with Henge will not disappoint.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
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