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Kira Mac/Jayler –

Waterfront Studio, Norwich, Sunday 5th May 2024

One week prior to this gig I was not overwhelmed with excitement, but I took the time to watch and listen to some videos and was very impressed by both songs and image. I was immediately sure that Kira Mac would be photogenic and if nothing else I would get some great photos.

Set List: Acid Rain/No Woman/When You Go/The Getaway/Lovemaker/The Rinsk.

On the day of the show, I checked out JAYLER and wow, these 19-year-olds (Lead Singer, James Bartholmew is only 18) really looked like the real deal. Yes, they are Led Zeppelin derivative and influenced but judging by their image they could be a great watch.

It's show time, nearly, as I was about to use the facilities, I came across 4 young men who clearly judging by their dress sense were JAYLER, I exchanged a few words telling them who I was and who I was working for. How long before you go on, I asked, 8 minutes was my answer. Blimey I better be quick!

As I made my way to the front JAYLER were just getting on the stage. Here we go! From opener, ‘Acid Rain’ it was clear that the youthful exuberance would win over the crowd. James Bartholmew was clearly relishing impersonating Robert Plant. But boy was he skinny, he had the poses, the hair and more importantly the voice. Blues Rock presented with an early 70’s vibe transported you back to that time.

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 2

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 2

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 1

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 1

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 4

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 3

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 5

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 6

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 7

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 8

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 9

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 11

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 10

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 13

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 16

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 15

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 14

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 12

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 17

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 18

Guitarist, Tyler Arrowsmith and Bassist, Ricky Hodgkiss provided the shapes and sounds, Drummer, Ed Evans used his sticks to great effect, breaking one, though he was difficult to see at the back, which is often the case in the Studio. Then ‘No Woman’ began with a deep howl as James told us a story of a girl who is 5ft 3, (‘I never knew the things she could do for me’)! The song has a chugging rhythm similar to that early AC/DC sound with Bon Scott.

As each song passed JAYLER got more confident and expressive. Once James relinquished his guitar, he really got into the Plant moves. Tyler Arrowsmith fired out the riffs with great precision though the use of a violin bow did cause a mixture of reactions, from amazing never seen anybody do that before, to a simple jaw dropping wow! The man next to me to scoffed ‘Oh my god know’! I thought it was great fun, though it was short lived.

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 19

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 19

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 20

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 21

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 26

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 25

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 23

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 24

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 22

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 31

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 30

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 29

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 27

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 28

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 36

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 35

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 34

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 34

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Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 32

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 33

Jayler - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 24 - Photograph 33

Ricky was holding it together his bass bobbing and weaving and was having fun judging by his expressions. By the final song, ‘The Rinsk’ the boys had won over the Waterfront crowd and had demonstrated that a great career lays ahead of them. Oh, to be a teenager with such potential.

You will be hearing a lot more from these Midlanders that’s for sure.

Set List: Save Your Whiskey/Deadman Walking/Chaos Is Calling/Playing The Game/No Way Out/Scorned, Imagine/Back For More/Free Falling/Nothing/You Oughta Know/Hit Me Again/Going To Stay/Mississippi Swinging/Farewell/Climbing/ Downfall/One Way Ticket.

With the audience well warmed up by the support there was an air of palpable excitement brewing ready for headliner, Kira Mac.

As good as JAYLER were, Kira Mac took us to another level with one of the best gigs I have ever witnessed. Immediately Kira took to the microphone you could tell she had two massive assets…her voice and her smile! As the show developed, I was transfixed by the two big personalities that were on her left and right, in the shape of Guitarist Alex Novakovic & the new bassist whose name currently escapes me.

Her between song banter was amongst the best I have ever heard, though when she said coming to Norfolk was like going to Middle Earth one man exclaimed ‘that’s a bit harsh’. Harsh it may have been as Norfolk is the centre of the universe, though that isn’t geographically correct either as we are in the East!

‘Save Your Whiskey’ was the launch pad for the nights exhilarating show. From this point it was more than obvious that we were going to have a night of riotous fun. Having taken the time to watch 5 or 6 YouTube videos helped my enjoyment immensely. But I think even if I had not been familiar with these it would not have altered my opinion.

Kira held us all in the palm of her hands from start to finish, which was nice. Her persona was enigmatic and friendly, tonight we were all friends and spending magical time together. ‘Dead Man Walking’ was up next and is built round a bass heavy riff which pounds your senses, Kira delivers it with assured venom and anger, (I don’t want to be in his shoes)!

Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 -  Photograph 1

Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 1

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 2

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 6

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 8

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 11

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 9

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 12

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 10

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 13

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 15

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 17

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 16

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 14

Guitarist, Alex Novakovic reels off the licks from stage left and has a cool rock god image, to the right and that new Bassist, who bobs, bounces and throws some great poses, frequently getting close to Kira for some great shots. Drummer, Max Rhead looked slightly out of place, being described by Kira as someone they had just picked up off the street!

‘No Way Out’ keeps things heavy and electrifyingly thrilling, ‘Scorned’ comes with a warning, for us men in attendance, (‘hell has no fury like a woman scorned’) even during this punchy song that smile keeps coming as does the stunning musicianship.

With the Waterfront rocking relentlessly a stool arrives on stage for what proves to be a lengthy acoustic set, apart from the first song which she plays alone she is joined by Alex Novakovic, that Kira says is for Norwich only, watching clips from elsewhere this might not have been entirely true.

From my point of view there was a fear that momentum could be lost, it wasn’t. What we got was a scintillating, epic show-stopping section where Kira’s voice, smile just engulfed those of us lucky enough to witness it.

Sure, she is easy on the eye, sexy and sensual but none of that would matter without the quality of songs. That is not forgetting Alex Novakovic's acoustic playing which created an aura of calm and brilliance. Kira has come along way since the blind audition and her cover of Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’ on 'The Voice', but dressed in black, with boots and leather trousers she manages to retain a girl next door image.

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 18

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 19

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 20

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 23

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 21

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 25

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 24

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 26

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 27

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 29

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 30

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 31

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 28

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 34

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 33

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 32

During this part of the show, it is announced that it is Kira’s mum’s birthday an impromptu ‘Happy Birthday’ to Lesley is sung and a bunch of flowers is passed from the stage via the packed audience to mum who is at the merchandise desk, this exemplifies the family feel.

Alanis Morrisette’s ‘You Oughta Know’ not just gets us Rocking again, it also legitimately gives us the opportunity, especially the ladies to say F*CK! From here to the end the show blister and burns through to the stunning ‘Mississippi Swinging’ with it’s countrified Southern Blues, this woman can sing anything, it pulsates, heads dance and we sing. To say I am enthralled and entranced would be an understatement!

​​It’s encore time, we are all riveted and I haven’t yet mentioned how good she is on the acoustic guitar! Proceedings come to a close with ‘One Way Ticket’ which powers us home in glorious fashion, (‘We’ve Got A One way Ticket, Down, Down, We Go’).

Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 -  Photograph 35

Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 35

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 36

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 37

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 38

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 39

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 42

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 44

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 43

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 41

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 40

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 45

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 46

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 48

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 49

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Kira Mac - Waterfront Studio, Norwich 05 05 2024 - Photograph 47

It might be over but Kira invites us to meet her and her mum at the merchandise desk. Simply phenomenal, I will be seeing her again and again. Gig of the year by a mile!

By Paul Mace

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