Review & Photography by John Rawstron

Holly Henderson

Before I attended the gig at The Waterfront in Norwich. I hadn’t heard much about Holly Henderson, so done some research on her and as soon as I saw various videos of her singing, I just new that she was going to be perfect as an modern Indie act, to support the iconic Brit-Pop era band “Dodgy”.

Holly kicked off her set with “Back after sunrise”. A beautifully written song, which everyone in attendance enjoyed. She followed up with other tracks including “Red Balloon” and “The Planes”. every song she sang and what her band performed was outstanding. Holly finished off her set with her upcoming single “Got a Job (But the money ain’t there)”, which was not only one of the most standout songs, that I have ever heard, but made me wish that she had a longer set. Holly Henderson is an unbelievable talent that deserves much more recognition.

Opening for Britpop favourites Dodgy at Norwich’s iconic The Waterfront is no easy task, but Holly Henderson rose to the occasion with a confident and engaging performance that quickly won over the early crowd.

Taking to the stage armed with a commanding voice and a collection of well-crafted songs, Henderson delivered a set that blended emotional depth with impressive musicianship. Her songwriting demonstrated a maturity beyond her years, weaving personal narratives with universally relatable themes that resonated throughout the venue.

The intimate surroundings of The Waterfront proved an ideal setting for her performance, allowing the subtleties of her vocals and lyrics to shine. Between songs, her relaxed interaction with the audience helped create a welcoming atmosphere, demonstrating a performer comfortable in her craft and increasingly at home on larger stages.

While the evening ultimately belonged to Dodgy, Henderson’s set served as a reminder of the strength of emerging talent on the UK live circuit. Her performance provided a perfect complement to the headline act, offering a thoughtful and memorable opening that set the tone for the night ahead.

For many in attendance, Holly Henderson may have been an unfamiliar name before the show. By the end of her set, she had undoubtedly earned a host of new admirers and further cemented her reputation as an artist well worth watching.

Dodgy

Dodgy at The Waterfront, Norwich – Gig Review by John Rawstron

After Holly Henderson left the stage, the crowd already in full force, was eager for Dodgy to take to the stage. After a short break Dodgy entered the stage to some of the loudest cheers that I have heard in a long-time. Dodgy kicked off their set with the title track of their Tour and new album “Hello Beautiful”. They followed up with tracks from across their 7 studio albums.

When it came to their latest single from the album “Summer Forever”, they played this song twice in their set, due to the love of the track from the crowd. Throughout their set, there was light hearted banter from the band, as well as some explicits from the drummer, which everyone enjoyed. Towards the end of the set, there was no need for an introduction of the upcoming song. As soon as the catchy intro started, everyone was ready to singalong at the top of their voices to the cult classic anthem “Good Enough”

return to The Waterfront felt like a warm handshake from the Britpop era—familiar, generous, and surprisingly fresh. From the moment the band walked on, the room buzzed with that Norwich mix of diehards and curious newcomers. The sound was punchy without being harsh; vocals sat cleanly on top, guitars chimed with that trademark sunburst jangle, and the rhythm section kept everything buoyant.

They leaned into the crowd-pleasers early, with a run of hooks that had the front rows singing along, then paced the set smartly with deeper cuts and a few newer tunes that slotted in more confidently than nostalgia acts usually manage. The standout moments were the harmonies—tight, unforced, and genuinely uplifting—and the between-song banter, which kept things loose and personal without dragging.

The venue did its bit too: The Waterfront’s intimacy amplified the communal feel, and sightlines were solid even from mid-floor. A brief lull mid-set was redeemed by a strong closing stretch and an encore that sent everyone out grinning. If you came for pure feel-good choruses, you got them; if you wanted musicianship, Dodgy delivered that as well, with tasteful solos and crisp dynamics rather than overindulgence.

In a live landscape crowded with reunion tours, this show felt alive rather than archival. Dodgy reminded Norwich why their songs still land: melody first, hearts open, and just enough bite to keep the sugar from sticking. A warmly memorable night.