JAWS, The Rainbow, Birmingham

Playing a free, short-notice show to a room full of prize-draw winners, JAWS are making a name for themselves as the most humble band on the circuit. “There’s nothing else to say but ‘thank you,’” frontman Connor Schofield gushes to the crowd for the infinite-th time. “We were worried no one would turn up.”

From the moment JAWS take to the stage, they incite the audience into uproar. Bursts of the fire alarm, circle pits, and crowd-surfing give the room a constant sense of motion. With one guy lighting up a cigarette in the crowd, and another stealing a hat from a member of security, an air of rebellious mischief is rife – though only for as long as the songs allow it.

Opening with grungy new single ‘Bad Company’, the four-piece sound larger and louder than ever. Anthemic percussion and forceful vocals demonstrate just how far the band have come since their early days together. “Our first ever show in Birmingham was in this room,” Connor recalls. “I’d ask if you came to see us, but there was no one there.” With the same room now packed to the rafters the show takes on a bashful sense of pride.

Playing new songs from their work-in-progress of a second album, JAWS show new depths of diversity. ‘Simplicity’ bounces with infectious slacker-pop refrains, while a second track that “hasn’t really got a name yet - no it’s not called Ace Of Spades” takes a turn for the more delightfully heavy.

Placing old favourites alongside their latest material, JAWS’ set is both reminiscent and reinvigorated. From album tracks ‘Think Too Much, Feel Too Little’ and ‘Swim’, through EP hits ‘Breeze’ and ‘Stay In’, each song is met with a fervour as bright as the last. Giving further thanks, again, to the fans and to each other, JAWS drew the night to a close with favoured single ‘Gold’. Grateful though the group may be, the crowd are just as thankful to be there. With such a positive energy surrounding them, the future seems limitless.