Jesus Jones - Try to take you back to the 90's

***1/2

A concert of two parts!!!

Jesus Jones ***1/2 are a band that I used to listen to a lot in the 90's, but I actually have not seen them live since they toured with The Wonder Stuff back in 2013. I have to say I was disappointed with them then, so was hoping tonight was going to be a lot better. I think this is why it has taken me so long to come back and see them, but everyone deserves another chance... and they are a band I really loved. They have so many great songs in their back catelogue from 'Devil that I Know','Right Here, Right Now', 'International bright young Thing','Zeroes and Ones' to possibly my favourite 'Info Freako'. So I was looking forward to their London show with Utah Saints at the 229, which I have to say is not one of my favourite venues. The stage is far too high, and you end up spending half the show looking up the band members nosterals. Saying this the people that run it are really friendly, and in a way I like the feel of 229. It almost feels like you are back at a old school disco, and this is the hall in the school.

I have to say tonight seems to be a night of two parts, the first part which seems to be low volume with the band struggling. To the amazing second part which seems to kick in with a bang, the last six songs are worth the ticket price on their own. But it is really annoying it took them so long to get going, when they can clearly produce the goods. I would prefer a shorter set like this, than a long set. They start to be at their best when they kick in with 'Who?, Where?, Why?', which is one of the highlights of the bands set. The crowd got so happy with the set going up temp that they join in, singing every lyric like the show is going to end soon.

But no it's not we are delighted to get a great version of 'International bright young Thing', and the fantastic 'Idiot Stare', not to mention a three song encore which includes the hits 'Real, Real, Real' and my favourite 'Info Freako'... which ends the set off nicely. They have so many good songs, and as a fan I want to hear them in their full glory. So I think this is why I was so annoyed by the sound being so low for the majority of the show, when you spend your money these days. You really want to be able to hear the songs properly, especially when everyone is struggling after Covid-19 and Lockdowns. So if you spend out, you want what you have paid. Saying this it was great to hear, so many songs that I have loved for so many years.

One of the things that really annoys me is that their is no interaction much with the crowd and guitarist Jerry De Borg who spends most of the set with his back to the crowd, looking to the side of the stage in a bad mood. The audience have paid for a show, and that means being able to see and have interaction with the band. In contrast keyboardist Iain Baker is quite brilliant, even if a little over the top at times. But I would rather that, than being ignored and treated like I don't count. Iain jumps around the stage and really puts on a show, and makes you feel like you are back at the show in the 90's. And this what we really want from a Jesus Jones show.

For me I have always wondered why in the bands live show, they don't get a second guitar player to boost up their sound, well you will say they do and yes! they do... because Mike Edwards plays guitar for all the songs. But I think this is because I would like Mike, to come off the guitar at points and be like is in the music videos. I used to think they were so cool in music videos, and they never really did quite get this right in their live show. Which would have been so easy to sort, he could maybe play guitar for half the songs and then the other half just do vocals. I also liked when he had the dreads, and wore extensions in his hair of different colours. I have a great picture on my wall, when he had blue extensions and he just looked too cool. Remember people hear what they see, and there is not enough at times to see during the show.

Jesus Jones - Setlist
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Zeroes and Ones
Two and Two
Are you Satisfied?
Bring it on Down
Magazine
Never Enough
Song 13
Stripped
Right Here, Right Now
What would you Know?
The Devil you Know
Move Mountains
Who? Where? Why?
International bright young Thing
Idiot Stare
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Where are all the Dreams?
Real, Real, Real
Info Freako

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'Who?, Why?, Where?' Below...