NORMANDIE RETURN TO LONDON FOR SOLD-OUT INTIMATE SHOW
AT ELECTRIC BALLROOM.

★★★★★ (5/5)

NORMANDIE PERFORMING AT LONDON’S ELECTRIC BALLROOM
PHOTOCREDIT: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

It’s very rare for an underground venue to fill up in central London at 7.30pm, yet here we were. As the lights dimmed and the first band went on stage, I could not believe it when I saw the Electric Ballroom filled to the brim with people, attending Normandie’s second leg of the Dopamine Tour announced along with their new album last year.

The first supporting band, Self Deception, is an electronic/dance-rock quartet from Sweden. With crazy outfits including graffiti styled jackets, leopard print overalls, cowboy hats AND a polar bear hat, they hit the stage and started their set with a rock and upbeat song. A theme of this gig was that an automated voice told us at all times what to do, and it was highlight when we were told to follow the band on all socials, only for them to play one of their new songs – released only a week ago – called Hysteria. It was a very energetic set, with a lot of Slayer-style riffs woven into intricate guitar breakdowns and electro synth beats, which made the crowd dance along early on.

I thoroughly enjoyed their set, as I almost crashed into their bassist in the photopit trying to avoid the balloons that were released into the venue. Another highlight song – and sadly the last one of their set – was Fight Fire with Gasoline, a song that has already made it into a playlist or two of mine.

Second band on stage shortly after was As December Falls, a band that is female-fronted, and, as per their words, has no label and no management. Yet, they are a band that seems to be touring and thoroughly enjoying their time on the stage. Opening their set with upbeat and dancey songs More to it and Join the Club, they made everyone jump along to their guitars and rhythm. If I may say so myself, I felt like I was at a gig in 2006, seeing Paramore before they got famous. It was a very nostalgic moment and I really enjoyed the band’s interaction with the crowd. In the middle of the set, we suddenly heard war sirens and ‘Hello this is the captain speaking’, commanding us to ‘open this pit up’. And you know what? We did. The audience went wild for it, not once but twice accompanied by guitar breakdowns and rock melody.

The vocals were also very impressive, especially as the singer finished off her note in a back-breaking back-bend. I also really enjoyed listening to their song Ride, not as jumpy as its predecessors in the set, but a great one to end on a high nevertheless.

Last but not least, the long-anticipated Normandie hit the stage just before 9.30pm. As a disclaimer, I need to shout to the light guy for this because, yes backlight is really atmospheric, but seeing black silhouettes makes really bad photos. Anyway, the band was brilliant. The audience screamed their lungs out when one by one they entered the stage and yellow smiley balloons with the word Dopamine on them also flooded the venue. As the song Serotonin came one, we were graced by giant confetti throwers and intense melodies.

The packed venue swung to every single melody the band played, as they announced that this was their biggest headline show in London. Having started playing the much smaller and humble Boston Music Room, they have now released their new album and headlines a tour of much bigger scale, but it did not feel like the band was ever a small one. The participation of the crowd was insane, proving that they already have a loyal fanbase established. As I moved around the room, I could see absolutely each and every person singing along to their songs, whether they were slower or faster and more upbeat. Highlights were of course Overdrive – where the audience jumped and danced as commanded, Sorry – a ballad, that still sounded energetic and intense and, Renegade. Even a few songs that would not make the cut normally (as the band said), had made it into the setlist and the crowd seemed happy about it. Collide and Flowers to the Grave were among the fan favourites. I could literally see every person there enjoying this gig and the energy of the band was contagious.

The set did not end there. Normandie played four encore songs, with my personal favourite White Flag being left last to close off a wonderful set. It was so good, I listened to the songs again on my way back home and I really hope to catch them again playing live soon.