What a brilliant gig.

It’s not just the musicianship I’m talking about, or that bundle of emotions that pervades the entire audience when those on stage know how to capture their ears, eyes and most of all their hearts. Everything was absolutely perfect at the Forum tonight, from the choice of support band to JETs set list, which wasn’t just a random choice of old and new hits.

But let’s start from the beginning, soon after I found out this is the only venue I’ve ever heard of to ban chewing gum!

Geordie up and coming indie band Detroit Social Club warm up the Forum for JET tonight. They don’t play for long, but it was enough to showcase a dose of passion and talent which would be a shame to miss, so get some more info and give their single 'Rivers and Rainbows' a spin on Detroit Social Club's official MySpace Page:

• Detroit Social Club on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

What do they sound like? According to the band themselves, “analogue experimentation of the modern kind. Retro-Big beat-Gospel influenced-junkie folk, made in 1970s New York”. Their influences are the most diverse, and being formed of six members the creativity pot is extraordinarily rich.

Detroit Social Club’ music is captivating, the right blend of velvet and sandpaper; bass, guitars, percussions and keyboard work together in perfect harmony to create a neutral high quality canvas, where David Burn’s voice, like a magic brush, paints a Renoir with the edge of a Salvador Dali.

Next comes JET, Aussie stars of pop rock, catching our attention and our feet immediately with brilliant new single 'She’s a Genius' and what could easily be a hit, awesome 70s inspired 'La Di Da,' pushing the balance definitely towards the pop end of their repertoire. And now that they’ve got us, they shift the gear up to Rock n’ Roll speed with 'Money Mouth' and even faster 'Take it or leave it'; its guitar riff clearly shows how much fellow Aussie rockers AC/DC have influenced JET.

'Beat on Repeat' is another song from “Shaka Rock” that has to be heard live to be fully appreciated: a powerful rhythm, feline vocals, all the hearts in the Forum seem to beat in sync with the drums. Its swinging indie feel and catchy chorus takes us swiftly to bluesy 'Skin and Bones,' from second album “Shine on,” which sure didn’t rock the world like debut “Get Born” did. It does still have some underrated feel good tracks on it though, like this one. Actually, I’m liking each song so much I start wondering why people seem to only obsessively remember “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?”

And back to the set list. So far Jet opened with catchy pop, took it up a notch into Rock and Roll, slightly slowing it down towards a more bluesy atmosphere and now, just like the night follows sunset, the lights go down for ballad time. The first, 'Come Around Again” is taken from everyone’s favourite album “Get Born”; however, ballads were not what took this album high in the charts, and this one is quite forgettable. 'Look What You’ve Done' is also on “Get Born” but it’s surely a more interesting and powerful ballad, and the audience shows its approval with plenty of screaming and sing along.

And then it’s that time of the night, the first familiar notes of “that” song fill the air, teasing the crowd then giving them what they’ve been waiting for: “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” And, while I give in to the rhythm and start dancing with my camera, my earlier question (why do people tend to always remember this one) finds its answer. Every song tonight has been just great, exciting, like a variety of well chosen and executed sex games before the final act and man, if you’re good at that, you can make a woman think with every touch that it can’t get any better. But make no mistake, it will get better if you can deliver a proper orgasm at the end of it all. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is the orgasm at the end of almost an hour of teasing pleasure and in the ecstasy of the aftermath, 'Seventeen' (one of my favourites from the new album) caresses our senses a bit longer.

Major rock success 'Cold Hard Bitch' from “Get Born” and 'Rip It Up' from “Shine On” close the main act at the HMV Forum, after exactly one hour of quality Aussie pop rock. The encore is not as wisely chosen as the rest of the set, starting with 'Walk' from the latest album “Shaka Rock,” which didn’t particularly impress me on CD, but I can see an improvement in the live version; the time change is quite interesting and the chorus is catchy enough. Following suit is 'Holiday,' which is the second track on “Shine On”and is a kind of messy mix between old school rock and Oasis minded indie which doesn’t quite work out. AC/DC influenced 'Get Me Out Of Here' from “Get Born” is Jet’s goodbye to their London audience, an epic pure Rock n’ Roll closer for that final Thursday night energy injection.

I really enjoyed this show, from Nic’s amazing vocals to Jet’s music skills. From the vibe on stage to the atmosphere in the pit, from the set list to the support choice. I couldn’t find a bad thing to say, apart maybe from the second song of the encore. I’m even happy with the “no chewing-gum policy” and the Media wristbands as opposed to sticky passes.

What a brilliant gig.

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[altsounds]

Sweet work Xtina as always, sounds like an awesome gig.

[Cristina M]

Thanks Chris, it was excellent, either you liked the band or not I don't think you could find any fault that night. Well organised as well.