Live Review Mystery Jets, The Garage, London 26th September 2017

It’s been a big year for retrospectives; but finally, we’ve found ourselves in the middle of a ‘Jetrospective’. One night for each of Mystery Jets’ albums. After ‘Twenty One’ won out in our September issue, so it was its night we made our way to.

Tonight’s show, like the rest of the five dates, is completely sold out, and the bustling London crowd who ignite the moment they take to the stage are a testament to that. Cracking straight on with ‘Hideaway’, the running order doesn’t quite match up to that of the immortalised list - though that becomes clear why later on. Second up is ‘MJ’, a track, that hasn’t been aired since 2008 and there are no signs of dusty old cogs, it sounds fresh, and with the same energised attack its recorded counterpart holds.

Tonight, it’s easy to remember why Mystery Jets have stuck around - it’s always a good time when they’re present. A celebration for one of their most beloved albums is a place it’s impossible to have any bad feelings at.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without friends along now, would it? Not only does ex-bassist Kai Fish join in the festivities, but Laura Marling herself steps onto the stage to lend a hand with ‘Young Love’, and it feels like we’re shot straight back to 2008. Even more so when ‘Two Doors Down’ hits toward the end of the set, and when it does, it hits hard. Those ’80s feelings that captured us nearly a decade ago hold even more resonance now, in a near future that needs a bit more cheer.

For the encore, which kicks off with the live debut of the album’s hidden titular track, a few fan favourites are also thrown in for good measure, including ‘Serotonin’ and the finale one-two of ‘Bombay Blue’ into ‘Bubblegum’.

Ultimately, tonight all boiled down to one thing; retrospect, the crowd enthusiastically reminiscing.