Jet

Have you ever been to a gig where at the end you are ready to rush up and demand a refund from the management because you feel you were short changed?!

I had it when I went to see Jet play at the O2 ABC in Glasgow. But not for the reason you may think. You see, after they disappeared for their encore I was incensed and thought that the Aussie rockers had played a mere half hour or so then called it a night. Thankfully I checked my watch before the rant began and realised they had in fact been on for an hour. Oh well, embarrassment averted!



The ABC is not a brilliant musical venue and I feel the music is often lost in the vast club arena. It takes time to build the crowd up because they can't quite feel the music the way you can in other venues around Glasgow. And as the lads took to the stage to head straight into new song 'K.I.A' – (Killed In Action) it became more than apparent that they would have to work hard to get this gig up to the usual rowdy riotous standards we have come to expect.

I read in a known Scottish Sunday paper last week that they felt the gig deserved one star and that Jet rely too much on old songs to get a reaction and to entertain. I have to wonder if this person really watched the show, the crowd, or took into account the effort involved in trying to entertain in a cavernous club where the only thing you can see in the way of a ceiling is a giant disco ball. The sound has to travel so far up to reach the roof that no wonder there is a slight loss of atmosphere. But I do not put this down to the band, or the crowd, it is an unfortunate side effect of the venue choice.



There is no argument that old favourites from first album 'Get Born' had everyone bouncing around but that is not to take away from second album 'Shine On'and newly released 'Shaka Rock'. What gig do you go to where all the new songs are suddenly far bigger instant highlights than the old ones that made you fall in love with the band in the first place?

The boys, Nic and Chris Cester, Cam Muncey and Mark Wilson worked hard but all showed their softer side during a personal favourite of mine 'Come Around Again' and gave the then heaving crowd at the front time to stand back and relax. But you can't relax for too long when Jet are in town and 'Cold Hard Bitch' certainly had the audience lapping up every word and singing along (although you couldn't hear them singing along due to the sound issue!). I did at this point notice the lighting guy, one of the many anonymous faces that make a gig what it is. His fingers working at lightning pace in time with the music he set the mood and hats off, he worked hard!

In contrast to some bands Jet ended their show with a three song encore containing two songs from their newly released album. 'Start The Show' and 'Walk' took up prime places in a bulging set list that managed to shine without including the massive hit single 'Rollover DJ'. Although my one criticism is I would have liked them to end on the rockier 'Start The Show', as ironic as that may have been for a final song. But with the writhing guitars you have to give it up and accept that the songs are good, catchy and energetic and the band are here for the long haul.

It is a good sign that on this night the gig rushed by me in a whirling musical haze and I was left wondering where the night had gone. Time certainly does fly when you are enjoying yourself. Maybe all the disbelievers can watch the band in a more suitable venue next time and give the boys another chance. Their diehard fans need no convincing.

FUTURE GIGS

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