So the cowbells and dustbin lids have been replaced by synthesisers and keyboards, but it makes no difference, the Mystery Jets have secured a place in my heart despite their change in sound.
I arrive at Plug just in the nick of time to see support band Johnny Flynn ( ♥♥♥♥ ). Having recently been on tour supporting Mystery Jets collaborator Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn bring a bluesy and folk influenced sound to Plug's smaller stage. The brother-sister dynamic of the two singers works well, and they are a joy to watch playing a variety of instruments ranging from violins to a cello. In a word, lovely.
Then the lights dim and the sirens from the intro of Hideaway can be heard. Mystery Jets ( ♥♥♥♥♥ ) appear onstage and launch into the song, which perhaps is a track that reflects the most influence from producer Erol Alkan. The dance feel to the song breaks the crowd out of the relaxed mood brought on by Johnny Flynn, and it appears Plug is filled with die hard fans mouthing along to every song.
The absence of Blaine's father Henry who previously played with the band is not felt. Mystery Jets are energetic and obviously talented young musicians, and hating to be cliché, have now come into their own on release of their new album Twenty One. Yes they've lost some of their distinct quirkiness and oddball pop noise, but the new songs are a sign of moving away from the nonsensical lyrics of "You Can't Fool Me Dennis" to more heartfelt tracks such as Half In Love With Elizabeth.
The set commences with mainly tracks from the new album, but some old stuff is played which really works the crowd up into a frenzy. Then they're offstage, but seconds later a member of the stage crew places cowbells in front of Blaine's chair, which can only mean they're going to do an encore. But only after the crowd begin to shriek "Zootime Zootime" and work themselves up to the right level of enthusiasm. And then in an audience-interaction type fashion Blaine jokingly asks the crowd to chose whether they want to hear song A or B. With B winning, they swing into crowd-pleaser Zootime, causing some intensely crazy dancing of fans at the front.
Feeling most pleased, I nip off to search for the non-existent merchandise stand with my housemate, and to our surprise spot Blaine and William chatting with fans. It meant a lot to me that they still did this after gigs, because two years ago when they were less well known and I saw them live, they did the same thing. It just goes to show how fame and success outside of England hasn't gone to their heads. After a chat with William and a quick picture, I leave feeling most fulfilled.
