Live Music: The Mystery Jets @ Hifi Brisbane
Words: Clare Kempnich
Pictures: Kate Scantleton
On the back of their latest release, Serotonin, Mystery Jets were at Brisbane’s Hi-F, on January 7. The London five-piece (four-piece whilst on tour) sum up everything I love to love about the English: youthful, pop-rock sounds and adorable band members. They’ve made a bit of a name for themselves here in Australia after their dreamy song, Young Love (featuring Laura Marling) made it inside the top fifty of Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2008. This being said, I wasn’t expecting a huge crowd – as it’s been a while since we’ve really heard anything from them. Well, I was wrong. Throngs of adoring fans lined the inside of the venue, eager for what promised to be a great set.
Compared to their previous release (Twenty One), Serotonin sounds more mature, and you can tell the band have come a long way in their brief, four-year history. While playing old favourites such as the aforementioned Young Love, the band (Blaine Harrison – vocals, William Rees – guitar, Kai Fish – bass, and Kapil Trivedi – drums) gave the crowd what they really wanted by showcasing new album favourites. Highlights were songs such as Flash a Hungry Smile, Dreaming of Another World, and what I consider to be the catchiest song that doesn’t yet annoy me – After Dark. With a distinctive dance feel, and monotonous vocals that emulate those of fellow Englishmen Hot Chip, this song tells me that we have a lot left to see from Mystery Jets. There was no shortage of energy coming from neither band nor the crowd, with one of the most enthusiastic atmosphere’s I’ve ever been witness to at the West End venue.
Without wanting to come across as dissatisfied, please allow me to interlude briefly from the pleasantries. In my experience, the Hi-Fi (whilst being a venue that I willingly frequent) is not the best, sound-wise. As I have observed, there seems to be a very distinct, positive correlation between the crowd size and the depth of sound. This was an unfortunate statistic for Mystery Jets. Firstly, the gig wasn’t sold out, and secondly, it was moved from a previous time-slot, which I predict would have also affected attendance numbers. Basically, and without wanting to sound harsh, it sounded like the band were playing in a bathroom. At best, I would say a laundry, but absolutely something heavily tiled. Oh dear. I wanted so much to enjoy the gig with the rest of the fans (who, thankfully seemed either unaware or uncaring of said “sound issues”) but it was a fact I simply couldn’t ignore, and definitely took away from what could have been an unforgettable set.
Despite this, it’s clear that not only are the band passionate and talented, it seems they have a lot left to give. Having just completed an Australian tour (including Soundscape and Field Day), they head back to London for more gigs. I, however, gave made a personal commitment to see Mystery Jets again. The set had so much potential, and they themselves are brilliant performers. Let’s hope it’s not at the Hi-Fi again though. Or worse still, an actual bathroom.