Jet Manchester Ritz
16th July 2018
Get-Re-Born Tour
Its been almost 10 years since I last seen these guys play live ,personal struggles seen the band drift apart for a while in 2012.
Now with the anniversary of the album 'Get Born' their smash hit debut album, and with 'Nic Cester's first solo album 'Sugar Rush' also released a week later, it seems relevant to bring the band together again after playing successful sold out shows in Australia it's time to get back on the road again... even if its only a whistle stop short tour (only 2 dates in UK including London Forum the day after this show).
'Chris' has been doing his thing lately with 'Dr Peppers Jaded Hearts Club Band' with former neighbour in Lake Como Italy and 'Muse' 'Axeman-Frontman' 'Matt Bellamy' amongst the members of 'The Beatles' Supergroup Tribute (see London Royal Albert Hall Review from March for More on this).
I bumped into 'Chris' and 'Cam' literally on the street as they pulled up in a car, I did ask 'Chris' if there would be any more 'Dr Peppers' gigs he said "No idea about that we'll see" he also asked if they had played the venue before and seemed surprised that they had but almost 10 yrs ago, 'Cam' said he thought he recognised it.
After the band Soundchecked they actually all came out together and we chatted and had photos taken no one was in the queue so it was chilled and relaxed .
Doors opened at 7pm, support came from a London/Aussie band called 'Temples' who sounded like a younger version of 'Jet' meets 'Kula Shaker' Chilled Indie Group who had a small following watching them tonight, they played a sweaty set and wowed the almost Sold Out crowd.
The band came on around 8.45pm and pretty much ripped the roof off instantly with 'Last Chance', 'Nic' to some people was unrecognisable with his overgrown beard and long hair, 'Chris' still with his Multicolored Blue Purple and Green hair in charge on the drums.
The especially loud 'Shes A Genius' from 'Shaka Rock' album seen the audience liven up from the start and with 'Get What You Need' and 'Rollover DJ' ,'Jet' single handedly took the venue with not much effort at all no words were needed yet.
I think Nic was overwhelmed by the crowds response he then played 'Look What You've Done' my fav slowie from 'Get Born', 'Nic' decides to join the crowd having security lift him in the air to sing to the crowd not far along from me .
The crowd gets moshy as 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' starts its such an anthem , the crowd go crazy, the geezer behind me thinks hes doing me a favour by putting his hand on the barrier either side he tells me "Sorry love trying to protect you the best I can here" I tell him back "Don't worry I'm used to it I don't need protecting from anything Thanks he obviously hadn't been to see Chase & Status or Download Festival in 2015 that was a killer .
Meanwhile back on stage it's 'Money Where Your Mouth Is' and 'Get Me Out Of Here' up another level for 'Take It Or Leave It', we're in squashed and sweaty state now as they continue full speed with their sound, we hadn't even gone into an encore and the setlist was already phenominal more from 'Get Born' 'Cold Hard Bitch' and then they leave us chanting for more.
The crowd chanting fast paced "Jet,Jet,Jet,Jet......." one fan even yells out during one of 'Nics' speeches saying its good to be back "And don't leave us again that long we've had years of shit music without yer" I don't agree with that he's obviously been as pissed up as now most times, to not notice talented bands but yes its been a long while I've missed then playing live a lot.
Nic has his acoustic guitar now for 'Shine On' and 'Come Around Again' back to the electric guitar for 'Bring It All Back',the crowd in full voice again during the chorus atmosphere is amazing they ended how they began LOUD!! with 'Rip It Up'.
I do hope it's not too long before they play the UK again they always were my second favourite band at that era,the band don't stop to bow just clap and wave to us and like true rock icons they disappeared again leaving the crowd gasping for more.
Next Time 'Summer Vibes' in 'Oxfordshire' ...
Queens Of The Stoneage & Friends
Finsbury Park
London
30.06.2018
Last year these guys toured the UK and for the
second time running I missed them because I
was somewhere else in the country at another
gig, it just didn't work out with my schedule.
So when 'QOTSA' announced they would be
curating their own festival here in London and
it had some pretty cool special guests in the line
up, I jumped at the chance to get back
Downtown.
1st up on main stage 'Black Honey' yes it is the
'Brighton' 4 piece again only singer 'Izzy
Baxter' is' here in disguise shes dressed in Blue
Denim Country Bumpkin look, with Cowgirl
hat and Bright Blue hair, kicking things off
with the new single 'Only Hurt The Ones I
Love' and then another catchy song 'Dig' all
from the Upcoming new album , they closed
their sun drenched set with 'Hello Today'.
It's a Beautiful day all over the UK we are in a
Heatwave, theres been no rain for weeks ,No..
and we're in process of regrasping the 'World
Cup' in footballing history ,Yes we are still
talking about Great Britain.
Everytime this band play they get more fans
and the crowd applauded them on, it was a
good show as I said to you last year 'Ones To
Watch'.
Up next 2 Girls from LA 'Deap Vally' 'Lindsey'
on vocals and 'Julie' on the drums beginning
with song 'Little Baby Beauty Queen', I
remember seeing the girls in festivals in 2014
thinking they're going to do well and they are it
seems, think along the lines of L7/Hole and
you've got a receipe for updating the 'Riot Girl'
philosophy.
Lindsey in Mustard Coloured Catsuit and red
striped face paint on her cheeks demands
eveyones attention with with outlandish rock
chic skills, and drummer 'Julie' goes wild
without even leaving her drumkit with her
stand out wild curly hair Pink and Black
streaks, I remember their raw energy how it
captivated me last time, good choice for the bill
Next up one of 'Dr Peppers Jaded Hearts Club
Band' ,'Miles Kane' hailing from 'Liverpool'
well 'Birkenhead' his vocals mirror early
'Beatles' he has his third album out in July
'Coup De Grace', he walks on stage confident
and shirtless, beginning with 'Inhaler' from
'Colour In The Trap' debut album and
'Rearrange',he has progressed with his live
act so much that its amazing to see a crowd of
newer fans reacting to him in sheer Mania,last
time I seen him was '2013' in his superb 'Union
Jack' jacket I remember then the crowd
almost broke the barrier when he got onstage.
Another great song 'Who We Are' with a sing
along chorus see's the crowd singing and
dancing along specially on my left side we've
started a girly cheerleading squad for him in
this superb summer atmosphere, 'Miles' teases
the crowd with the opening bars of 'Donna
Summer's Hot Stuff and then full pelt into a
funky 'Kane' style indie style spin on the
song,got to see him again his show is
fantastic!!
Oh my god can it get better than that?? and yes
it can enter ..Sweden's 'The Hives' up next a
bizarre sight of a ninja in a black suit with only
eyeholes on show, readying their stage
equipment and another on the right hand side
not quite part of the band, but part of the act.
I've long been a fan of the band 'The Hives'
since '2004-2005' I have loved their total 'Rock
N Roll' abandon in the videos, it works
amazingly well on stage, I was enthralled when
they were on the bill. The band zip on stage in
their 'Black & White' suits and kick things off
with 'Come On!!!' followed by single from the
3rd album 'Walk Idiot Walk' from
'Tyranasaurus Hives', it's back to the old skool
for me as 'Howlin Mad Pelle' is off the stage
already and storming down the centre of the
crowd with his mic lead following him for
'Main Offender', He was then everywhere to
right and then back over to us on the left not
too close yet... perhaps whipping us up into
frenzy as he rejoins the band for '"Die
Alright'.
Then he's off again over to us this time
everyone grabs him as he passes I get a high
five I thought Wow waited 13 yrs to see them
again the pace of the show is eclectic there is
some funny banter when 'Pelle' changes the
subject "So Brexit..", the crowd boo "What it
wasn't my idea to put an ocean between us "
then the most amazing thing during 'Hate To
Say I Told You So' as 'Howlin Mad Pelle' walks
straight towards me puts his hand on my left
shoulder turns round and sits backwards on
the barrier leaving me trying to hoist his legs
up , He's a tall guy ...everyone else to the right
had no idea what he was doing such the
entertainer that he is, he wanders off
again ...this has got to be the craziest thing that
has happened to me at a show .
'Tick Tick Boom' starts up and he's soon off
again down the centre of the crowd mic lead
running free telling everyone that he is the
king and the crowd have to kneel to the king
(it wasn't said in a arrogant manner he was
funny), so we all try to crouch down low til the
band tell us to jump people are actually
obeying all around ,but I'm mindful not to lose
my place on the front, we all leap to our feet the
crowd gets tight after that, it seems they love
us back too and they bowed and thanked us .
The stage is cleared again with inflatable props
for 'Run The Jewels' 2 hands in a scissors
stone gesture, for the trio of rappers and djs
from 'Brooklyn' USA, they arrive in front of
mainly "Rock" crowd not their fan base
obviously so they worked hard to get people
involved and used speeches about Feminism
and Political themes to unite us they did a good
job and it didn't incite rowdiness however the
next act did raise those levels a bit higher in
that respect.
'Iggy' is on stage , also shirtless in the
heatwave wearing khaki trousers he is only 5
ft something but he is 'The Godfather Of Punk'
and at 71 Yes.. he shows no sign of slowing
down either he begins with 'I Wanna Be Your
Dog' by his ex band 'The Stooges' his sound
remains true to his 'Stooges' identity which is
commendable, caution tape is wrapped round
across the middle section by security cutting
the sides off not a problem for 'Iggy' as tears
through it and runs down the crowd like a
escaped animal and across the platforms to
greet his eager fans.
He sings 'The Passenger', the crowd are going
wild, leaving the stage staff to quickly rush to
unravel it before he runs out of cord as he
decides "I'm over this place guys". He moves
over to the stage and steps down again onto his
left in front of me he walks right past me the
least I can do is greet him with my High Fives
so I do he's a legend !!
Back onto the stage dancing as 'Lust For Life'
starts up another song from the 'Trainspotting'
Franchise its clear he's crossed the
generations by the young faces in the crowd
it's insane now its getting squashy again since
he arrived, later on more 'Stooges ' classics
'Search & Destroy' and he ended things with
what else a 'David Bowie' cover 'Jean Genie',
he was very polite and gracious to the crowd,
he rewarded us by picking up the mic stand
and smashing it to the ground managing only to
bend it in the middle he smiles at the crowd
and lthen he reluctantly leaves what a
performer .
It's almost time for the main act, what an
amazing day so far and , it was overwhelming
to think we are nearly at the end,stage set up
and ready with the props and lighting poles
positioned all around the main stage, it's still
only 8.15pm not even dark, and the strains of
'Singing In The Rain' by Gene Kelly and some
music from A Clockwork Orange welcome the
band onto the stage 'Josh Homme' arrives over
to the right hand side he takes one look and the
sellout crowd and picks up his Green coloured
guitar to begin 'The Lost Art Of Keeping A
Secret'.
Oh my god this is the song that got me into the
band in the first place, the crowd go ballistic
I've suddenly I've got no air to breathe
I'm singing along and already badly squashed
up there were people pushing from both sides
where there was no push room, its goes up a
notch again for 'Go With The Flow' (oh have
mercy) I'm actually out of my depth now as my
bones are momentarily crushed against the
barrier but this band are so awesome I'm
happy to die for them.
I'm actually on tip toes now this'll be good for
my already over muscley calves I think but the
cramp in the morning will be on another
scale!!as I'm frantically holding on for dear life
the ride has begun as 'Sick Sick Sick' which is
now my theme tune for survival as I manage to
push my bag in front to prevent my ribs
getting further crushed , my only saving grace
here was there were not continuous crowd
surfers, ironically the next track was 'Feet
Don't Fail Me' from Villians ...Haha.
'Josh' is working his best 'Bowiesque' vocals on
this and other track from that pivotal album,
the poles on stage now are lit in Orange, Red,
and Green reminding me of a nod to 'Origin Of
Symmetry' artwork how they were placed,
next song from 'Like Clockwork' 'My God
Is The Sun' followed by classic 'In The Fade'
and then 'No One Knows' and my fav track
from 'Like Clockwork'.. 'Smooth Sailing'.
Later on 'Josh' communicates with the crowd
during my all time fav 'QOTSA' song 'Make It
Wit Chu', he gets the guys to sing the chorus
and then the girls to sing the chorus and then
all of us together, he smiles over to us and he
introduces everyone by name in the band, the
crowd make a song up for drummer 'Dean'
which 'Josh' likes so he lets us sing it "Deanno
Deanno" it amuses him.
He goes on to tell us that it's the Bass
Guitarists birthday so we sing "Happy
Birthday" to him he seems moved by the
gesture. It makes me forget how much
excruciating pain I was in it was certainly
worth it even though I didn't get many good
photos I could not move and keep the camera
on my phone still I was lucky to get these shots
so sorry they're shitty but hey.. I had a great
time.
The encore was amazing as the crowd yelled
More ..More..!! the band return for title track
'Songs For The Deaf' and then 'Songs For The
Dead', 'Josh' kicks out at the lit poles in a
burst of rock spirited wild abandon, I'm in
awe,what a band so glad I finally got to see
them play live,heaven knows when they will
return to the U.K. this is the end of 'Villians'
Tour in the UK now except for 'Eden
Sessions' in 'Cornwall' but my advice is see
them because they are magnificent dudes.
Lmi xo
