So for all the “local rival” banter, all the criticisms and rivalry, you can’t help but feel, as a music fan, very grateful that someone, is still putting shows on somewhere in this area in a venue that is yet to be attacked by the council or by the snobby nearby civilians. Yes, Ipswich is disgusting, but at least it is currently more successful than Norwich as an exhibitor of loud, energetic and above all heavy music in the East of England right now. And it makes me feel very glad that I’m getting the chance to see one of my favourite new UK bands here, without ugly sound limiters looking like leeches on the wall of a music venue, draining the life and soul of the place, and to an equally passionate crowd from all over the East Anglia region.

Even if the sound equipment is rubbish (the band who were bringing the full backline had to pull out days before the show) Gallows still manage to sound fantastic (or perhaps it’s the excellent interaction with the crowd bouncing off everywhere in the room). Their blend of rhythmic, thrashy punk rock, played with startling aplomb and pleasing liveliness is quite simply played to perfection here, particularly on crowd favourite ‘Will Somebody Shoot That Fucking Snake’. Gallows in their live performance do just hold on to your neck and will not let go until they’ve drained all your energy just from watching them.

What’s most impressive is that they are an incredibly tight band – which for all the obscure rhythms this band drop in, is no easy task – they only continue to prove why this band are to be taken notice of as one of the best young British bands as the set goes on. Overall a very impressing and pleasing performance that has made me very excited and very hungry for more.

Words:Adam Turner-Heffer