Revolution In The Head Space

Behind The Sun Collective at St Laurence's. Wild Paths: Day 3 Evening

I wasn't quite expecting what I got at the church of St Laurence. I had popped in and seen a local art show during the summer. The space is impressive. There's a lot of headroom, (several metres), the nave is wide and much longer than the old church of St Swithin's, home to Norwich Arts Centre. St Laurence's is a biggie. Without any furniture, other than a temporary bar, it offers an exciting opportunity for music promoters.  What I hadn't expected was two sets of gigantic speakers, possible four metres high by three metres wide, either side of the chancel, suggesting some heavy-duty noise was about to be generated. I put my ear plugs in pronto - that amount of power in a stone and flint construction could have hearing diminishing consequences.  It was a good move, because those of us who trooped down St Benedict's were about to be reminded that jazz is a very broad church. 

St. Lawrence's (this spelling is also applicable to the building), is the third largest church in the city, capable of holding a congregation of hundreds seated and many more standing. This potential capacity was not tested while I was visiting, although the strength of the windows and roof supporting columns were to be stretched by the Behind The Sun Collective's devil's own music.

This evening there were five members in the band: two guitarists, bassist, synthesiser and keyboard player, with a drummer. Four of them looked like they had travelled over on the magic bus from Glastonbury high street, the fifth, as if he had just finished teaching sixth form history lessons. Regardless of appearances, these five guys then set about the definition of jazz with a vengeance, one reminiscent of the Ozric Tentacles. Power, pace, searing guitar solos, synthesiser squeals, pulses and shrieks and pounding bass lines. They were thrilling.

Halfway through the set, a singer joined them on stage to lead them through a rich, frenetic cover of the T Rex hit single, Children of the Revolution, a song of particular pertinence in this era of fake news, alternative truths and make believe. No, we hope, we won't be fooled, as children of the / a revolution, which may or may not be coming, depending on which self-development programme, or well-being course you follow. I digress. A seven inch single of this salvaged anthem will be available soon. I can't wait to see the artwork these guys have come up with.

The main man will reveal all in due course, but I sense his West Country alternative wardrobe gives us a few clues as to the likely style. 

Surprised as I was by the high tempo, electric, amped up content of this set, I was thrilled by it too. These guys are slick and what they play is deeply textured, rich in structure and exciting. I could have listened to them all evening. The T Rex cover was a superb concept, executed superbly. This was another highly enjoyable guest spot in this festival, in a top quality venue. 

After Behind The Sun Collective squeezed in an extra tune, I made my way up the steps to Swan Lane and Space Studio.  No jazz option next, but I had an absolute must-see act to catch in D H Temple.  What this might entail, I wasn't exactly sure either. 

Spencer Ide

16/10/2025