We Were Promised Jetpacks - Live at The Lexington
Words by Sophie Eggleton
Scottish indie and rock is currently undergoing a resurgence. There’s the pained melancholy of Glasvegas, the hyperactive vocals of the View and lesser known Viviens and Unicorn Kid to name a few - so I was interested to see how the Caledonion tongued We were Promised Jetpacks would compare.
Support band Nacionals’ opening spot meant performing to a dauntingly sparse space scattered with pre-lubricated viewers, who have more than likely only just escaped the stresses of the office. They had some well put together songs and played a tight set but slightly lacked in presence and energy, something that I’m sure will come, aided by a more eager audience. The next act, the Citadels whose confident front man Stef fergson wouldn’t stand for a muted and rigid audience used various expletive shout outs to persuade us to dance, or display other up-for-it and appreciate bodily gestures. I can’t help but cringe on initial realizations of flautists in bands , but it worked, adding pep to their version of alternative power pop, as did the fetching Lucy’s harmonizing vocals and keyboards. But the standout pre Jetpack act for me was East Strike West. I had heard previously the vocalist voice compared to Keanes Tom Chaplin (albeit with more gusto) but I recognized a similarity to At The Drive in/Mars Volta’s Texan Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose hairstyle also seemed to inspire frontman Jordon. In the tender moments his voice also had a haunting Thom Yorkescque quality which interspersed between the empathic choruses, crescendos and Mogwai-esque guitaring, which all made for atmospheric powerhouse impact.
By now the venue is finally tightly packed and the chatter starting to reach epic levels as the crowd anticipate the arrival of much heralded Glasgow-based, Edinburgh-formed and magnificently named We Were Promised Jetpacks.
Opening their set is ‘Keeping warm’, slightly shaky pitch wise at the beginning, but we can forgive that and its quickly resolved. The over 8 minute long song is beautifully sensitive and captivating, the 4 minute instrumental the perfect ease into what will end up a relentless and storming set.
One of the nights highlights ‘Quiet little voices’ vocals reminds me of last Orange unsigned act winner Tom Riley with a hint of Idlewilds Roddy Woomble. This sounds like an obvious hit, and seemingly unaware of their talents and multitude of winning songs, or just revealing their endearing Scottish self deprecation Adam Thompson announces it as ‘their only decent song’. Its urgent hypnotic beat, sing a long ‘oh oh oh’ chorus feature is a sure crowd pleaser and sure to wow at their upcoming T in the Park performance.
The drummer has a field day during ‘Moving Clocks Run Slow’, which has a distinctly Bloc Party feel, a band they profess to emulating before experiencing and being inspired by the sounds of fellow Scots and label mates Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad.
Their 8 song set list ends with ‘Short Bursts’ and although strictly long enough, particularly with the length of some of their tracks and their early stage of career, it finished all too quickly, but perhaps thats just testament to the strength of the band, leaving us wanting more. The rip rawing tirade may have benefited from the tone down appeal of album track ‘A Half Built House’, just to add some light to the shade - but that is probably just nit picking on my part, the crowd don’t seem to have an issue with the bands song choices. The closing number receives enthusiastic applause and cheers, despite a slightly conservative crowd participation throughout the night.There are mumblings of praise, and admissions of surprise (that they lived up the hype) weaving throughout the satisfied and finely packed crowd. It feels like they are on the cusp of the bigger leagues and If they continue their loose but gutsy live performance they are definitely one to watch for the future, I urge you to see them while you have the chance to experience them in these sweaty intimate venues.
Their debut album, These Four Walls, due to be released at the end of this month.
Posted Mon, June 29, 2009