fcukers & Confidence Man review: Limitless rave energy in Norwich

It might be a freezing cold late-November evening when Skiddle arrives in Norwich, but inside the University of East Anglia’s student union, it’s baking. Which is fitting, considering that two of the hottest names in music are in the city. 

For the local freshers - and many mixed-age outsiders - at this Wednesday night party, it’s an unmissable gig. Accordingly, the dancefloor and surrounding platforms are packed ahead of the support act’s early stage time of 7.20pm. 

Enter, fcukers. The fact that the New York trio have descended upon the LCR to support Australian party animals Confidence Man - whose latest album is their raviest and most club-focused record to date - means the crowd (many sporting sunglasses indoors) is clearly going to be up for a good time. And that’s exactly what fcukers deliver: straight from fan favourite ‘Homie Don’t Shake’, which comes early on and has people throwing their arms in the air. 

Playing all the tracks from their ‘Baggy$$’ EP, nonchalant frontwoman Shanny Wise (wearing a Bulls jersey) bounces around and sings into the mic, Jackson Walker Lewis - sporting a Gallagher haircut and 90s sports jacket - gets the piano house vibes going on the keys, and Ben Scharf’s pounding drumbeats bring a thumping energy to their live performance. 

Though chat is virtually non-existent, that’s arguably what makes fcukers so endearing and cool. While some bands would try their hardest to win people over, they flip the script. Instead, their endless bangers (including several unreleased ones) do the talking. Debut single ‘Mothers’ (which is impossible to not dance to) and underground anthem ‘Bon Bon’ expectedly receive the biggest reactions, sending the room into a state of indie rave euphoria near the show’s close. Across 40 minutes, they just make it look so easy. 

On the strength of this midweek performance, their remaining UK shows - which follow a rammed Great Escape festival session in May this year - will likely be a walk in the park.

It’s all a well-suited warm-up to Confidence Man, the night’s headline act, who have had one hell of a year. After storming Glastonbury in the summer, their reputation for wild live shows spread rapidly, and their current UK tour - in support of their third album ‘3AM (LA LA LA)’, which has been hailed by critics as the year’s best dance record - is somewhat of a victory lap. 

While this evening’s venue is intimate compared to the huge festival shows they’ve become accustomed to, the energy is just as high. The group - consisting of Janet Planet, Sugar Bones, Clarence McGuffie and Reggie Goodchild (the latter cloaked and veiled while playing keys and drums) - sure know how to work a room. Whether it’s synchronised dance routines, kaleidoscopic eye-popping visuals or flashing costumes, what unfolds is an infectiously joyous rave spectacle.  

The setlist, split into different acts and an encore, is a career-spanning feast for the eyes and ears: from the escapist dance bliss of ‘Holiday’ to their newest club bangers ‘I CAN’T LOSE YOU’ and ‘SO WHAT’, it makes for a thrilling night out. 

Wednesdays in Norfolk don’t get much better than this!

For more gigs from across the UK, head to our UK Gig Guide Inspire Me page. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.