There’s an old joke that goes “what’s the best thing to come out of Norfolk? The A11!” Tonight though I am here to witness the re-emergence of something else good coming out of Norfolk, the country-tinged blues rock of Bad Touch. They have been around on the circuit for a while, I think I first encountered them well over 10 years ago, and with at least 5 albums under their collective belts their popularity has ebbed and flowed like the tides that erode their home county’s coastline over those years. I don’t think I’ve seen them yet post-covid, so tonight I’m looking forward to getting re-acquainted with them. Enough poetic imagery though, we have bands to watch! 

Openers Electric Black are not a new name to me, but I am struggling to recall them before they hit the stage. My friends assure me I have seen them before but I don’t recall, which means either I haven’t or they weren’t very memorable. Tonight however they are in good form, storming through a short but sweet blues-rock set that changes pace and keeps the crowd on their toes nicely. There weren’t any stand-out songs (for me) but there was brash, confident trucker rock with diverse influences so that was OK by me. This seems to be a band at the start of their musical journey, and based on tonight’s performance they will do OK. Oh and the singer had rockstar boots – bonus! 

The Karma Effect are also a bluesy rock band, but it’s a much lighter hue of blue. In fact I think they actually play the turquoises – the base is blues but it’s an upbeat and sparkly blue rather than a slow and deep one. The retro piano/organ sound is well up in the mix tonight and combines beautifully with some sharp guitar, funky bass and screaming vocals. The sound is timeless, vintage but with a modern twist. There’s enough bounce in the beat to engage my dancing feet, and this is a band that brings the sunshine to a gloomy venue.

They have a new album “Promised Land” out in early May, so the set is a mix of new songs and old favourites. One of the most impressive things about this band is the quality of the vocals, both lead from frontman Henry and backing from keyboard wizard Seb, and tonight they weave a rich tapestry of sound. The comparisons are obvious, with Henry’s vocals being very much in the style of Mr Plant, but at the same time they have a modern outlook and just a hint of swagger that makes them perpetually endearing. They garner a great crowd response, and indeed I am a little worried on behalf of headliners Bad Touch by the end of the set – could we see a headliner blown off stage tonight? That was a really strong performance so anything is possible! 

Bad Touch have long been favourites of mine but due to minor issues like a global pandemic and the aforementioned A11 it’s been a few years since I last saw them. They have recently changed drummers and Brad (formerly from Piston) has replaced George, but unfortunately due to personal circs he can’t make tonight so we have a stand-in Joe who rips through the whole set not just flawlessly but with added cowbell. Plunk. I’m delighted to find that they still play the same Southern-tinged country rock that I remember, with opening song (and tour name) ‘Bitter Sweet Satisfaction’ crashing in like a tropical thunderstorm.  

If you are a fan of bands like the Black Crowes or Blackfoot then Bad Touch will be right up your street. There are big choruses laid over wailing guitars and chugging bass lines, and it all comes together in a groovy vibe that gets your feet moving and your head nodding. Highlights were old favourite ‘Good On Me’ (the jeans song) and a soul-stirring mellow guitar duet that put me in mind of Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac. Don’t let that laid-back part of the set fool you though, because Bad Touch can (and do) still rock out with the best of them. This is music that carries you along for the ride, and while my (small) niggle might be that they don’t play much from their first two albums these days they have such a wealth of well-crafted songs to draw on that it doesn’t really matter.

Towards the end of the set there is a blinding version of Alannis Morrisette’s ‘Hand In My Pocket’ that they combine with a riff that sounds like Aerosmith’s ‘Sweet Emotion’ and yet again we all get to sing along and be part of it. That marks the end of the main set but of course it’s not the end of the show. Singer Stevie grabs an acoustic guitar and takes his moment in the spotlight, channelling his inner Bret Michaels with ‘Nothing Wrong’, an acoustic ballad guaranteed to shatter the coldest heart into tiny pieces. It’s then time to up the tempo again for show closer (and probably their best-known tune) ‘99%’. It’s official, the boys are back in town and the A11 is looking more inviting by the minute. Welcome home Bad Touch! 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Bad Touch, The Karma Effect, Electric Black