JEDWARD
YORK GRAND OPERA HOUSE
As I scanned the room to discover that the average age of the audience was somewhere around 12 (if you exclude the weary looking chaperones), I suddenly felt every one of my 19 years. But from the moment Jedward stepped on stage, a (double) vision in spray-on gold trousers, I decided to cast aside my reservations and embrace what was clearly going to be a memorable evening. Backflips, cartwheels and perhaps slightly too much self-groping were all regular features of the evening’s performance, much to the delight of the audience. It seems that now, finally freed from the shackles of Brian Friedman’s choreography, the boys actually have some pretty impressive dance moves. Though their vocals may have taken a back seat to flamboyant Busted-style jumps, it’s hard to argue that this did anything but enhance the show.The set list constituted a fabulous collection of top pop tunes, of course including their unforgettable number 2 hit ‘Under Pressure (Ice, Ice Baby)’. I feared the audience may have turned when the duo broke into Bay City Roller’s 1975 classic ‘Bye, Bye, Baby’ but thankfully this pre-2000 error was swiftly rectified by a return to form with their own take on the Jonas Brothers’ ‘SOS’. A spontaneous acapella version of the Pokémon theme tune reminded me of the impulsive joy of live music. Unfortunately, attempts at audience participation fell pretty flat due to the majority still being in utero at the height of Pokémon fame – pity.After 2 hours of (slightly surreal) unadulterated fun, including a scheduled snack break I headed home tired, uplifted and seriously regretting not investing in that cardboard Jedward quiff… maybe next time.
HELEN O’BRIEN
MYSTERY JETS
FIBBERS
The atmosphere that greets Mystery Jets is understandably electric. This is a group that is renowned for full throttle live shows and have just released Serotonin, widely hailed as their best album, packed full of glistening pop gems. Fibbers fills up quickly, crammed with pallid indie types and the anticipation is palpable. When the group hit the stage they show no signs of disappointing, launching straight into ‘Alice Springs’ that immediately engages an admittedly compliant crowd. The band look exactly as expected, skinny, pale and shaggy haired, with front man Blaine Harrison perched on a stool and wrapped around the microphone like a gangly ginger spider. Between song banter is scarce as they launch straight into a dazzling role call of infectious sing-along. The new material goes down surprisingly well. Title track ‘Serotonin’ wins over any fair-weather fans who haven’t yet bought the new album (or spotify-ied it) with its unstoppable chorus that makes a mood enhancing endorphin sound like a hot girls name, whilst ‘Flash a Hungry Smile’ and single ‘Show Me the Light’ get similarly warm reactions. Support Act Count and Sinden prove to be worth their salt when they are invited onstage for dance collaboration ‘After Dark’, in which Guitarist, William Rees, firmly reasserts his position as joint front man. However, it is the standouts from previous albums that really hit the spot. ‘Girl Next Door’ and ‘Young Love’ (minus Laura Marling) are both brilliantly energetic with bassist, Kai Fish, and guitarist, William Rhys, reaching into the enamoured crowd. The only problem is that it is all way too short lived. The set is sustained for seven or eight strong songs (finishing with a lovely, unexpectedly downbeat ‘Flakes’) but is over way too soon and demands for an encore soon proved to be wasted as the roadies immediately get to work on the stage. It’s all a little unsatisfying, even disappointing and, although it is followed by a DJ set from Count and Sinden, the night quickly begins to wind down. It’s all a bit of a shame, putting a damper on what could have been an excellent evening.
RACHEL PRONGER
THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND
FIBBERS
I’ll have to be honest. I am not the greatest fan of The Sunshine Underground, having very little knowledge extending past their debut album, Raise The Alarm. However, I haven’t been to a good gig for while now and reliably informed by my friend that I wouldn’t be let down, I grudgingly tagged along with her to see the boys from Leeds take to the stage. Trying to squeeze my way through to the front of the jammed crowd was not one of my finest ideas as I ended up crushed right up against one of the giant amps but despite the relentless ringing that my ears had to endure they were in store for a very special treat. The band took to the stage and the atmosphere in the venue suddenly became electric and the rapport between lead singer, Craig Wellington, and the buzzing crowd was instantly apparent. After a little chit chat with us and a few screams from drummer, Matthew Gwilt, the band explode into their indie-funk sound which got us all dancing and bopping away and within a minutes of the set I could feel the tickles of sweat make their way down my forehead informing me that this was going to be a top gig. I was actually very surprised and delighted to hear how heavy on the guitar the band is live in comparison to their recorded albums and then they continued to keep me guessing with their live rendition of their classic ‘Borders’. Dedicated to a girl whose name was mumbled, and therefore it was instantly declared by the girl next to me to be dedicated just for her, it started with slow melodic rift with just Craig playing getting the crowd bellowing the lyrics out loud. Then breaking into the penultimate chorus, the song picked up its tempo with the rest of the band joining in at which point I feared for the structural integrity of the roof because the crowd were jumping so high. The Sunshine Underground gave me the perfect pre-Christmas present with a cracker of a gig which after being told how wonderful they were; left the crowd in high elf-esteem.
CHRIS CRADDOCK
FRIGHTENED RABBIT
THE COCKPIT, LEEDS
Frightened Rabbit are undeniably Britain’s most underrated band. Despite having two critically acclaimed albums, energetic and crowd pleasing live shows and a knack for writing witty but often oddly moving lyrics, mass success has still somehow eluded them. This gig proved yet another illustration why this should not be the case. The Cockpit was packed with people wrapped in thick coats and scarves, huddled together for heat against the cold outside, like a beer infused March of the Penguins, but after a stellar set from supports Sky Larkin, the Frightened Rabbit emerged to blow away the last of the cold. Coming at the end of the band’s tour in support of their third album Winter of Mixed Drinks the gig included all highlights of their latest album, such as the folky ‘Swim’ and the buoyant ‘Nothing Like You’ but it was still the crowd-pleasing hits of ‘Midnight Organ Fight’ that truly shone. Fans danced enthusiastically to the song ‘Old Fashioned’ which seemed a perfect remedy to a snowy winter day whilst closing song ‘Keep Yourself Warm’ sparked with energy. Speaking between songs lead singer Scott Hutchinson drifted between being hilarious and touching particularly in explaining the inspiration behind the song ‘I Feel Better’ in his attempt to win his ex back by flying to New York armed with an Ikea toy snake. The same emotion could be heard in the band’s set itself, especially a haunting acoustic rendition of ‘Poke’ where Hutchinson played alone at the front of the stage without a microphone and the audience sang along. From anthemic to intimate, roaring distorted guitar to bouncing folk riffs, Frightened Rabbit genuinely prove themselves to be a band that just keeps giving and if their reception in Leeds is anything to go by, one who are on their way to earning the larger fanbase they deserve.
CHRIS HOGG