While I waited for the main meal, I noticed a young guy who appeared to be unwell, leaning on the stage. Straight away I thought, ‘Swine bloody flu!’ I was really worried, being so close. So I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he felt unwell. “No, I’m fine, just tired. I’ve only had three hours sleep in the last twenty-four hours,” he explained. ‘Pull the other one’ I secretly thought, and so asked him to explain. He then told me that he had flown over from Abu Dhabi specially to attend the concert, via London by train, and was returning the next day. Then I said something very silly, ‘so you’re a fan then…’ The place was packed with devoted Phoenix fans and I was beginning to think that my earlier merch stand purchase of the latest album CD (shit, nearly bought the vinyl as well) was a pretty astute investment (remember those reviews…).

At around 9:30 a massive roar from the audience signals the appearance of Phoenix, and I damn near had a heart attack with the ferocity of the greeting. Lights, camera, action. Well, the latter two at least because the lighting was abysmal, and got worse. This was a sell-out audience of around 1,000 (I knew because the lighting was directed on them rather than the band), each paying around £14 a pop plus booze. The very least they deserve is to actually see the band they had come to watch. Thankfully, the sound improved a bit so les hommes could be heard - just.

“the finest tunes you’ll hear all year - this could be the Phoenix’s OK Computer and Kid A rolled into one.”
Q - 4 Stars ****

I don’t know what the Q person was on but what I heard was (very) mainstream pop-rock with a pretty powerful dance beat. ‘Lisztomania’ was one of the most radio-friendly songs I’ve heard from any guitar band, ever, but pretty good with it, although lyrics left a bit to be desired:

So sentimental
Not sentimental no !
Romantic not disgusting yet
Darling I’m down and lonely
When with the fortunate only
I’ve been looking for something else
Do let do let do let jugulate do let do let do
Let’s go slowly, discouraged,
Distant from other interests
On your favorite weekend ending
This love’s for gentlemen only
That’s with the fortunate only
No I gotta be someone else
These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes

Next up, ‘Long Distance Call’ and a major singalong ensued - don’t you hate it when people mouth the words? This one was a tad rockier and while I couldn’t hear Monsieur Mars too well, Monsieur le drummer was clearly heard and played a blinder.

The more mellow ‘Fences’ was my next highlight of the show when Mars revealed that his vocal range is pretty wide. ‘Girlfriend’ underlined the fact that the band has a distinctive sound led largely by Mars’ vocal style, while ‘Love Like A Sunset’ provided a level of instrumental originality and another show highlight. But the standout song of the show was the final one. ‘Rome’ was greeted with rapturous acclaim and is obviously a fan favourite.

Phoenix provided the fans with what they admired and wanted - a good performance and mostly good songs. And I have to admit I enjoyed the experience. But, it was the technical detail of the show that let us all down. Dreadful lighting and very average sound is not acceptable from any act, and especially one that can sell out a show in super-quick time. A good show, but not a great one, and as for the album I’m still listening but I do know that it won’t be my album of the year.

Set List: Lisztomania, Long Distance Call, Lasso, Run Run Run, Fences, Girlfriend, Armistice, Love Like A Sunset, Napoleon Days, Too Young, Consolation Prizes, Rome.