Live Review: Hawkwind – UEA, Norwich
27th August 2025
Support: Hanterhir
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
Finally coming to the end of festival season, we are getting back out there to local shows, and what a great way to start the second half of the year. The trusty UEA is the venue for this evening, no matter how many times I visit this place I still love the fact we get so many great artists passing through here.
First up tonight is Cornish born Hanterhir; a band that don’t really take themselves too seriously,hHaving previously entered competitions as a fourteen piece band that included a toy guitar player. Genre wise, imagine putting a blender in a blender: we have folk, pysch, prog, punk and rock all mixed in, and it's a thoroughly enjoyable set.
Not only was it performed very well, but they were just up there having fun and engaging with everyone that has come out early. Who would of thought that a mix of keyboards, acoustic guitar, saxophone solos and violins could be mashed together so well. It works, its fun and they are an absolutely great band. If you are wanting to try something new music wise, give them a go, they are listed on Spotify and will open your mind to some new music. In both English and Cornish!
Main act for tonight is the legendary Hawkwind, still going strong after such a very long time. My first gig in Norfolk was Hawkwind, just down the road at the Waterfront. My dad, who is extremely annoyed that I am here tonight, saw them years ago at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on their Space Ritual tour in 1973/4.
It is safe to say that they know what they are doing, it has been 55 years since their first release and this tour is in support of their 2025 release 'There is No Space For Us'. That is their thirty sixth album, which seems actually ridiculous.
It is no secret that these guys are getting on in life, with Dave Brock recently turning 84, I wasn’t sure what to expect performance wise. It was pleasantly surprising though, and whilst it wasn’t a particularly energetic performance, I seem to remember they never were. Their performance has always been about the whole experience, the lighting, the lasers, the incredible sounds that they produce. All of this is exactly what avid fans of Hawkwind know and expect. Non of the crowd are disappointed as they delivered exactly what they are known for.
You wouldn’t think that a band of this age would still be able to perform as well as they do, but they absolutely nailed it. The space rock genre is always one that I enjoy, I have no idea why, and when I think of the genre, I think Hawkwind. That’s probably some of my up bringing having an effect on that.
Their latest album fits them perfectly, they still have the same sound that works so well, they are still having the time of their lives and bringing some amazing noises to fans of all ages. People attending younger than me (and not just accompanying their parents) all the way up to people older than my parents. They propelled space rock to where it is today, and they are still on top form.
Sadly this is the last night of their UK tour, and they sent it off with a treat. 'Silver Machine' being played for what looks like the first time on the tour (checking through Setlist.fm we couldn’t see any other mentions of it being played).
If I get a chance to see them again, I will be doing, as sadly the Space Rock genre is not really picked up by newer bands these days, Although check out Henge, they are a bit close.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
