Creeper brought their intimate 12 Days of Night Tour to Epic Studios in Norwich for a night to remember.
Opening the night was the British duo, Zetra. I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed their music both live and prior to the show, but I can’t say I was hugely engaged with their live performance. The lighting was minimal, aside from some red strip lights on the floor which created a spooky, dingy ambience and looked cool when it hit their faces.
I understand the mysterious kind of vibe, but I found the lack of crowd interaction caused a huge disconnect. I noticed a bit of confusion when they left the stage at the end without saying anything.
I’d gladly sit and listen to their music at home; however, I wouldn’t actively attend another one of their live shows. For me personally, crowd interaction, personality, and signs of appreciation are crucial.
Zetra @ Epic Studios, Norwich. Photos – Kayleigh Francis
As the lights dimmed, we enjoyed ‘The Time Warp’ while waiting for Creeper to emerge onto the stage, and as the iconic song reached its end, the screams from the crowd were ear-piercing, and out came the vampire cult that I’d heard so much about.
Going straight into ‘Cry To Heaven’ from their latest album ‘Sanguivore’ the energy was immediately there, the band were jumping around and having a great time from the very second they started playing, and the enthusiasm was certainly reciprocated by the crowd.
Creeper @ Epic Studios, Norwich. Photos – Kayleigh Francis
Prior to this show, I hadn’t listened to much of Creeper‘s music, the odd song here and there, so this whole performance was new to me. When they went into ‘The Ballad Of Spook & Mercy’, I INSTANTLY got Nick Cave vibes, along the lines of The Lyre of Orpheus and Where The Wild Roses Grow, and I was absolutely there for it. It was probably my personal favourite song of the night.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the evening was frontman Will Gould’s constant outpouring of love and appreciation towards the crowd. From heartfelt speeches between songs to spontaneous interactions with fans, it was clear that Creeper viewed their live show as more than just a performance – it was a shared experience with their devoted fanbase, a cult almost?
Creeper @ Epic Studios, Norwich. Photos – Kayleigh Francis
During the explosive performance of ‘Annabelle’, the energy in the room reached its peak. The crowd was jumping so much, that I could feel the ground shaking. It was a moment of pure euphoria, with the band and fans feeding off each other’s energy. But amidst the high-energy anthems, Creeper also took a moment to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Before launching into ‘I Choose to Live’, they dedicated the song to anyone who might be struggling right now. During a brief pause in the song, a fan in the crowd loudly sang the next line, catching Gould completely off guard, after a laugh. he joked, “Didn’t they film Jeremy Kyle here?” before seamlessly picking up where he left off, much to the amusement of the audience.
Overall, Creeper’s live show was an unforgettable experience. With their infectious energy, genuine connection with their fans, and moments of heartfelt sincerity, they proved why they’re one of the most exciting bands in the scene today. If you ever have the chance to see them live, don’t miss it.