Bombay Bicycle Club, Camden Assembly, London: a celebratory, sentimental homecoming

On stage, Jack tells the audience in disbelief that opening act Tight Lines (chosen via video submission in an online ‘battle of the bands’) attended the exact same school - a complete coincidence. “This is all about the next generation of bands,” declares the frontman, who’s speaking at 100 miles an hour this evening. “You’ve got to help us out, because we’re going through some emotions tonight,” he admits. “We’re usually a very emotionally reclusive band, and we just want to say we are super grateful to be here.”

Strictly playing EPs, demos and early singles, it’s a pleasant surprise to see Jamie bouncing on the bass for ‘How Are You’, trading six-string duties with Ed, before reverting back to their usual roles. The Spacey Jane-esque ‘Open House’ is met with a roar from the crowd, who step up to the plate when a red-faced Jack forgets some lyrics. [It was released in 2007, after all; who can blame him? - Ed]. That aside, he’s flawless as they whip out these golden oldies, and you can’t wipe the smile off either his face or Jamie’s - especially when it comes to bouncy duo ‘The Hill’ and ‘Pedestal’, which are especially slick and well-rehearsed.

Dressed in buttoned-up shirts and with significantly less hair than their last Barfly visit (save for Ed’s long locks), Bombay still headbang their way through ‘Maybe More’ like the teenagers they once were. “I need to strike a balance between being authentic to our teenage selves and being an embarrassing dad,” jokes Jack, who is visibly overwhelmed as the memories flood back to him, like “finding an old diary under your bed”. Lurking by the stage – because there’s no wings at The Camden Assembly – is school friend Jose Carbajo, whose synth action on ‘Magnet’ briefly cuts through with a drum‘n’bass-y heaviness.

Now, here come the hits. Phones fly out to capture ‘Evening / Morning’, after its drum intro is heckled with some whoops and fan clamours to “bring back MySpace!”, and ‘What If’ is monstrously euphoric; finally, the band try to hide on the staircase, before returning for a triumphant encore of ‘Always Like This’. “Thanks to The Barfly for having us!” says Jack, refusing to call the venue by its new name, as he completely submits to the moment and pretends it’s still 2008. For all the memories that are doubtless racing through his mind, though, tonight’s time machine will surely create new history for the lucky few in the room, as Bombay Bicycle Club’s first chapter is re-told to a new generation.

Tags: Bombay Bicycle Club, Reviews, Live Reviews