Viva La Underdog! - Micko & The Mellotronics New Single Plus other Norwich Music News
Viva La Underdog! Micko & The Mellotronics
If you missed the release of the third album Trinity by 21st Century social-docu-pop-songster Micko Mellotronico and his band Micko & The Mellotronics earlier this year, take a moment to enjoy his latest single from the album.
Released tomorrow, Friday 16th October, the single is accompanied by a typically quirky video. Viva Le Underdog is Micko’s take on the most unlikely cover star of modern days, a glove puppet called Sooty. This TV character known to children of the 60s / 70s / 80s and early 90s had a look of permanent surprise, which anyone would if you had to go on TV with someone’s hand up your backside. But that surprised look means a lot to Micko. It is the bewilderment felt by us all at what complexity Life brings us, particularly how Life impacts on the innocent minds of children. The Sooty look is the expression of an innocent child, the essence of innocence, he explained in an interview earlier this year.
The album Trinity is all about the unrelenting loss of innocence that equates to what is called ‘growing up’, but could be seen as the erosion of delight, joy and play which is innate to healthy children.
Viva La Underdog is Micko & The Mellotronics punching up, shouting out for innocence and appreciation of the joys of childhood, which we would all do well to hold onto as life chips away at dreams, ideals and love of humanity. Consider also the Pink Floyd line, Hey! Teacher, leave those kids alone, in this context.
The single is available from Friday 16th October on all streaming platforms. If you are lucky you might be able to still buy copies of the excellent CD Trinity too. Try Resident Records in the North Lanes, Brighton, or Rough Trade shops around the UK, or order from your favourite local independent music store.
The Undertones: 50th Anniversary Tour Kicks Off
I will have more on The Undertones, after this band of heroes play tonight's show in Norwich, the start of their 50th Anniversary tour. Believe it, believe it not, but there are still people who have not heard of the band, nor heard their debut hit Teenage Kicks. This is when others have already nominated Teenage Kicks to be played as exit music at their funeral service! Which is something that I am yet to be convinced is an entirely ideal selection. Not from a fussy protocol perspective, but surely the song is about being young and trying to catch the eye of a young woman and is not in any context a good fit when the lid has been screwed down on your coffin.
On the other hand, The Undertones do what they do whatever people think, so if you want to play Teenage Kicks at your funeral, well, it's your funeral!
The Undertones 50th Anniversary Tour, during which they will be playing some new songs, is as follows:
15 Norwich - Epic Special Guests The Beat featuring Ranking Roger Jr Tickets
16 Leeds - Project House Special Guests The Beat featuring Ranking Roger Jr Tickets
17 Birmingham - O2 Institute Special Guests The Beat featuring Ranking Roger Jr Tickets
22 Sunderland - Fire Station Special Guests The Men They Couldn’t Hang Tickets
23 Sheffield - Foundry Special Guests The Men They Couldn’t Hang Tickets
24 Manchester O2 Ritz Special Guests The Men They Couldn’t Hang Tickets
November 2026
05 Cork - Cyprus Avenue Tickets
06 Waterford - Bank Lane Tickets
07 Dublin - 3Olympia Tickets
12 Torquay - Arena Special Guest Jim Bob Tickets
13 Cardiff - Tramshed Special Guest Jim Bob Tickets
14 Bristol - Electric Special Guest Jim Bob Tickets
20 Southampton - The 1865 Special Guests Ruts DC Tickets
21 Brighton - Chalk Special Guests Ruts DC Tickets
22 London - Electric Ballroom Special Guests Ruts DC + Tom Robinson Tickets
December 2026
03 Limerick - Dolan’s Warehouse Tickets
04 Galway - Roisin Dubh Sold Out
05 Kilkenny - Set Theatre Tickets
19 Belfast - Limelight Tickets
20 Belfast - Limelight Tickets
January 2027
09 Minehead - My Generation Weekend Tickets
February 2027
19 Derry - Millennium Forum Special guests Skids Tickets
20 Derry - Millennium Forum Special guests Skids Tickets
26 Bremen, Germany - Kulturzentrum Schlachthof Tickets
27 Sneek , Netherlands Bolwerk Tickets
March 2027
16 Paris - Alhambra Tickets
19 Barcelona - Paral.lel 62 Tickets
20 Madrid - Mon Tickets
21 Valencia - 16 Toneladas Tickets
23 Santiago de Compostela - Capitol Tickets
July 2027
Some Norwich Shows October / November, 2026
It is a crazy busy time here in Norwich. Norwich Arts Centre always has some excellent music lined up, with Voodoo Daddy's Showroom and The Holloway providing the latest up and coming sounds. If it is the music of your youth you yearn, Epic Studio always has a line up of well-established names to check out for the older music lover. Of course, UEA Lower Common Room 'The LCR' aims its shows at the latest crop of undergraduates, while the Waterfront aims at a wider audience.
Thursday, 15th October 2026 Epic Studio: The Undertones & Ranking Roger
Still tickets available here and on the door.
Sunday, 18th October 2026 Yalm in the Royal Arcade: Gilad Atzmon's Organology
Saturday, 24th October 2026 Epic Studio: Transvision Vamp have made a poptastic return to the stage after years doing other things.
Friday 30th October, 2026 Voodoo Daddy's Showroom: Pet Needs - this lot are simply nuts! Love them. Tickets here.
Saturday 7th November, 2026 Voodoo Daddy's Showroom: Canned Pineapple - a great rock-pop band. Loads of energy and catchy tunes. This band delivers a great show. Tickets here
Sunday 8th November 2026 The Waterfront: Joshua Idehen (This will sell out). Here is the fabulous video made for the single release Mum Does The Washing.
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