Mystery Jets, The Holidays @The Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne(5/01/2011)

Mon 10th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Walking into Melbourne’s Hi-Fi Bar a mere half an hour after doors opened and another half hour before the support began, one would’ve been surprised at the healthy crowd.

The Holidays wandered on stage one at a time in front of a crowd that is as full at it will get for tonight. Given their recent jump into popularity, the Sydney band carried high expectations. Carrying a set undoubtedly suited more to a summer festival than the (literally) underground venue, the five piece played an incredibly tight set of pop. With stomping bassist Al Kortt and huge drummer Andrew Kerridge laying the backings of the band’s likeable sound, the addition of fifth member David Zucker on percussion is worthy; particularly towards the end of their set, when the sound mix finally evens out and each member can be heard. Airing album cuts like Moonlight Hour, Conga and set closer Golden Sky, singer Simon Jones clearly has faith in his music, and with the album receiving rave reviews and a packed Hi-Fi Bar on hand, he has every right to be.

After a short break, Mystery Jets arrived on stage very differently to The Holidays. Lead singer Blaine Harrison hops on stage, crutches under arms, a casualty of his spina bifida condition that worsened after last July’s Fuji Rock. Seated between bassist Kai Fish and guitarist William Rees, Harrison leads the band through a set driven by material from their last two albums.

Opening with Alice Springs from their most recent effort, Serotonin, the dancefloor ignited. It’s pleasantly surprising throughout the night how familiar- or at least, accepting- the crowd are with Serotonin songs, given its relative lack of critical and commercial success. Yet it’s still (unsurprisingly) the well-known cuts of Twenty One that get the best reception, with Half In Love With Elizabeth the first case in point. The catchy ‘do do do do’ induces a huge sing-a-long and bad dancing from everyone in sight.

The breathy vocals of Serotonin are aired next, garnering another welcome reaction. Hits like Young Love and Two Doors Down follow later in the set. Both are introduced by a backing track, which seemed slightly unnecessary- especially given the band could’ve easily played the parts themselves. Though this didn’t deter from the wild reaction of the crowd to both songs. With Laura Marling finishing off her third album, Harrison filled for Laura Marling’s verse capably in Young Love, though the addition of a guest female vocalist would’ve made for something really special.

As well as the best bits of_ Twenty One,_ the Jets also played a song they recently featured in; The Count & Sinden’s After Dark. Although not charting in Australia, the song hit #4 in the UK charts and given the crowd’s reception, could well have charted that high on this side of the equator.

Another new song-old song combo is taken in, with The Girl Is Gone quickly followed by Hand Me Down. The latter is introduced as a song that will be unfamiliar to many, despite being one of the best-written songs to feature on Twenty One.

Leaving the stage for a slightly longer break than many would have expected, the band return for a two song encore, capped off with Flakes. An excellent choice to round out the show; the song showcasing Harrison’s impressive voice and the catchy nature of almost all of his band’s songs.

Check out photos from the gig here