House Of Love - Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich, 23/7/2023

  by Nige Nudds

published: 25 / 10 / 2023

Thirty years ago, The House of Love were close to being my favourite band of the time. They evoked sounds of mild psychedelia with jangly guitars and the odd sweeping riff of which I’d always loved since college days. Tonight, the band brought all those memories back but in a live setting in the converted church, Norwich Arts Centre. Recently refurbished and updated it provided the perfect intimate setting. Old classics like ‘Shine On,’ ‘Christine’ and ‘Destroy the Heart’ were mixed seamlessly in with the new stuff such as ‘State of Grace’ and ‘Light of the Morning.’ My favourite moment was the gorgeous ‘The Girl with the Loneliest Eyes,’ truly a beautiful moment. The new band, lead singer Guy Chadwick has formed, is completely comfortable with the band’s signature tunes and they sound tight and at the same time engaging. Although older now, Chadwick has indeed not lost his charisma and still holds the audience in the palm of his hands. The encore consisted of new song ‘Melody Rose’ which wakes the audience from the previous song ‘Clouds’ where Guy sings with just his guitar and no band. They finished their set with the classic ‘I Don’t Know Why I Love You’ with its chiming and ethereal guitar sound, then closed proceedings is ‘Love in a Car,’ quite possibly one of the greatest most underrated rock songs of the late 80’s “My love in a car, we’re gonna go far/Deeper than any sea…” is such a great line. The band always understood its music as both an art and science. Lush lead guitars and chord sequences that intertwine with harmonies creates an ambience of the vivid soundscape that is ‘House of Love.’ Set List: Cruel Christine Hope Light of the Morning The Beatles and the Stones Into the Tunnel In a Room The Girl With the Loneliest Eyes Shine On Sweet Loser Crush Me Burn Down the World Destroy the Heart Se Dest A State of Grace Encore: : Clouds Melody Rose I Don't Know Why I Love You Love in a Car Photos by Nige Nudds

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