CityLife

The Mystery Jets

 

LAST night I saw the future, and, you know what, Noel Gallagher is going to hate it.

My evening consisted of two gigs: The Mystery Jets at Manchester Academy followed by Oasis headlining the Electric Proms.

From what I saw of Oasis on the telly, they looked to be back to their best, revelling in the self-conscious spotlight afforded them by the BBC and all it's Radio 1 worthies.

Yet, what really caught my eye was the lager-inspired chant of "Who are ya" directed by fans in the bear-pit toward Bond-star Daniel Craig, who Noel happened to point out in the auidence.

This vision bore comparison with a storming gig played by the very promising Mystery Jets, yet their version of the football terraces includes an '80s inspired barn dance... complete with glitter.

I say football terraces because this Twickenham-based four-piece seem to have perfected the art of including a chant in every song, which made for some hearty audience participation.

I say '80s because the effette lead singer, Blaine Harrison, combines the charisma, charm and singing voice of Morrissey and Robert Smith.

Electronica

The music also has elements of '80s synth and electronica, but with a bass and backbeat that gives it a depth and vitality that The Smiths and The Cure never mustered.

In short, it is music you can listen to and dance to - a heady blend indeed.

An already electric atmosphere in the sold out Academy 2 was cranked up a notch when guitarist Will Rees took offence at a moshing skinhead who, he believed, was terrorising his art school audience.

Said skinhead was singled out for a few choice words before Will raised his guitar, seemingly readying himself for an attack.

The irony of a young man dressed in a sequin top offering to knock a skinhead's block off was not lost on me.

Despite their appearance, the Mystery Jets do have previous. This summer's performance at Leeds Festival was cut short by four songs after Will and bassist Kai Fish startled a brawl with the stage manager, the sight of which induced a mini crowd riot.

Now, in my book, every good musical era is not complete without a note of tension.

The Noughties are yet to inspire a true rivallry of musical cultures, but with Oasis preparing to go into battle next summer, you can give imagine the Gallaghers' response to a gang of young lads with floppy fringes dressed in sequin tops trying to usurp them.

Could the battle lines be being drawn? Forget Brighton Beach, I hear Heaton Park is nice in June.

What did you think? Have your say.
 

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