It’s been almost 30 years since Ian Curtis echoed “Here are the young men/Well where have they been?”
As the air raid intro of ‘Hideaway’ rings out, it’s obvious that most of them are in the crowd for Mystery Jets’ performance for the Manchester International Festival.
The reason for that is because the gigs promoters – XOX & Same Teens – have decided to only open their doors for people aged 15-19.
This lovely little stroke of genius has seen Clint Boon declare this as “the most important night for Manchester music since The Sex Pistols played at the Free Trade Hall in 1976.” Bold words indeed.
The march of the teenagers is in full effect as the band segues into ‘Half in Love with Elizabeth’.
By the time the familiar beginnings of the aptly titled ‘Young Love’ begin to blanket a rapturous audience it’s obvious that with their 2nd LP, the Erol Alkan/Stephen Street produced Twenty One, they’ve earned a greater degree of exposure to a younger demographic.
It also portrays a band that is not afraid to take the necessary measures needed to move up to the next echelon of music.
Midway through the gig, the bass of Kai Fish stands tall as ‘Hand Me Down’ is introduced. However, by the end of the song any doubters who dared believe this Twickenham based foursome weren’t an ensemble piece are silenced.
The keyboards sound like something you’d hear from a B-movie take on ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ and perfectly suite Blaine Harrison’s vocals.
Half way through the song William Rees rips into the audience with his guitar and it’s all capped off by some excellent showmanship from drummer Kapil Trivedi. The song is easily the highlight of the night and leaves the crowd breathless and reaching for the free bottles of water as the heat kicks up a notch.
‘Two Doors Down’ and ‘Behind the Bunhouse’ bring an end to the sweaty set, leaving the teenagers to seek their kicks in the form of fresh Mancunian air as they reflect on a unique gig that catered only for them.
3 1/2 out of 5
