Mystery Jets @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – Live Review

Review by: Lauren Sherritt

The afternoon of Friday January 7, 2011, had been a classically humid one for Brisbane. Undoubtedly much unlike the weather English pop-rock group Mystery Jets are accustomed to finding at home in Eel Pie Island, the heavens opened on the evening that they were set to play the city’s Hi-Fi Bar with local support Tin Can Radio. Not even off-putting weather, however, could dampen the splendid performance they gave, the memory of the night burnt into fans’ consciousness for a long time to come.

Brisbane’s Hi-Fi Bar was only sparsely occupied as Tin Can Radio took to the stage. Merry and casual, they took their time setting up, waiting while the drummer’s girlfriend rushed in with a forgotten cymbal. Regardless of the meagre crowd, the five bought out their characteristic liveliness and played a short but ferocious set that in the end had the audience on their feet and clapping along.

Tin Can Radio mix trumpet and saxophone with heavy drums to create a big sound, which unfortunately that night slightly overpowered the lyrics of lead singer Tom Wearne. It was the trademark long locks of the band however that really stole the show as the boys moved with ferocious energy, hair flicking and flying around the stage. Dedicating one song to their recently deceased pet chicken Henrietta, the band put on a very entertaining set which led nicely into Mystery Jets’ breathtaking performance.

A short while later and the venue still wasn’t packed, perhaps an earlier date change resulting in a smaller crowd. For the audience conditions were perfect, room to move easily available for watching a band bound to make you want to dance. While the curtains were drawn, those there waited eagerly for the main act to begin, expectations high for the English group.

From the very beginning there was no way Mystery Jets were going to disappoint. Opening with ‘Alice Springs’, the dramatic first track off new album ‘Serotonin’, they set the standard high and only proceeded to exceed it. Playing a mix of songs from their latest album with a fair offering of tracks from the previous two as well, the band’s sound was spot on. Following up with their second offering, a heartbreaking yet electrifying version of ‘Half In Love With Elizabeth’, the band proved that their recordings were only a scant substitute for their live performance.

In the quiet moments between songs lead singer Blaine Harrison and guitarist Will Rees reminisced with the crowd about their experience that day feeding kangaroos as countless in the audience swooned over the charming pair. Spending the evening sitting while he sang because of a spinal condition, Harrison exuded waves of energy while Rees’ charisma and dance moves won over the crowd.

Rees took over the vocals for a version of ‘Young Love’ that had the crowd going wild, and the band had the crowd cheering and singing along again with popular hit ‘Two Doors Down’. Finishing their main set with riveting number ‘Behind the Bunhouse’, all of the members looked exhausted as they thanked the audience and left the stage after a full hour of playing no less than thirteen songs. Returning with beers in hand after insistent calls for an encore from the crowd, they still superbly played through ‘Lorna Doone’ and ‘Flash a Hungry Smile’ before finishing the night with the stunning single ‘Flakes’.

Blown away, the crowd wandered out of the Hi-Fi and back on to the streets of West End, a feeling of slight disbelief at the extraordinary show they had just seen permeating the air. Truly a magnificent live act, Mystery Jets are music brilliance personified. Not a band to be looked over in the slightest, no doubt there are many Brisbane fans already eagerly awaiting their next visit to the country, keen for a repeat of such a display of talent and generosity.

Artists: Tin Can Radio, Mystery Jets
Venue: The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
Date: January 7th 2011