The pairing of Mystery Jets and The Holidays proved to be as idyllic a line-up as expected.
The pairing of Mystery Jets and The Holidays proved to be as idyllic a line-up as expected. Both exponents of elevating and creatively layered pop, it would be difficult for fans of either band to be unpersuaded by the other. Accompanied by an additional percussionist, The Holidays lived up to their solid reputation as a formidable live band with a highly dynamic, focused and impassioned performance. Beginning in the same fashion as their Melbourne album launch in October, the Sydney indie-pop group opened with 2 Days and charmed the audience early with their infectious fusion of soulful pop grooves, Latin/African-inspired percussion and electronic flourishes.
Moonlight Hours still sounds like an exploration into an underground exotic wonderland; thumping bass beats, bongos and funky guitar rhythms defining the euphoric journey. Latest single, Broken Bones, left fans swirling blissfully to its tantalising drones and vocal hooks, while The Holidays’ deep chemistry and strengthened musicianship was most evident in songs such as Slimeface and their quintessential show closer Golden Sky.
With its epic crescendos, Alice Springs (the opener on Mystery Jets’ third album, Serotonin) was the perfect start to the English indie-pop band’s vitalising set, as Blaine Harrison’s ethereal vocal cry of “Freedom is an illusion generated by your brain…better to have loved and lost / Than to have lived and never loved anyone” unleashed into its soaring, sky-scraping chorus. Rather than an ode to the Australian landmark, Alice Springs was inspired by looking out airplane windows, which contributed to the transcendental and majestic lilt of their sublime third album. The delightfully quirky Half In Love With Elizabeth had the crowd enraptured from the first cries of “la la la la” while Serotonin’s ’80s-invoking dance-pop was ceremonious in its delirium.
Long-time fans would be aware that Harrison remains seated for the band’s live performances as a result of having spina bifida and is unable to walk properly without crutches. It remains admirable that the singer/multi-instrumentalist is able to tour constantly despite the serious condition and remains incredibly vibrant despite being restricted in his movement. Guitarist William Rees appeared deliriously elated when he took on his occasional lead vocal duties.
Although Young Love and Two Doors Down received, expectedly, the loudest and most animated responses, there were far better – and more poignant – tracks performed from Mystery Jets’ second album, Twenty One, including the hypnotic bass-driven Hand Me Down, Hideaway and the slow-burning epic, Behind The Bunhouse. Two of the finest performances from Serotonin arrived in the uplifting trajectories of Show Me The Light and the widescreen gleam-pop of Dreaming Of Another World.
Mystery Jets’ encore highlighted the band’s distinctive characteristics: a charming sense of longing, as demonstrated by Flash A Hungry Smile ’s humorous cry of “I flash my hungry smile / And it makes you run a mile” and of course, those serenading, heart-wrenching and emotive pop nuances, as illustrated by arguably their best song, Flakes. Upon the release of their third album, Mystery Jets stated that Serotonin was borne out of a desire to write music that lifts off and soars… tonight’s triumphant performance proved that the Twickenham indie-pop group have achieved exactly that.
