Two short weeks ago I don’t think I would have expected to be saying the following sentence: Klaxons are back, and sounding better than ever. Both on record, and as tonight’s show at the Enmore Theatre proved, on stage, too. For the first time since they formed, and rode the 2006/7 Myths of the Near Future wave, Klaxons are sounding, looking and feeling like a real band. Not only does the new album (Surfing The Void) do them justice to this effect, but tonight they showed just how fantastic the old stuff can sound, too – just throw in three years of growth and you’ve got yourself a damn great show. In fact, I heard a fair few people murmur on the way out… “that was one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time…”
With a fantastic light show as support, the London-based four piece launched with new single “Flashover”, and immediately there was a wow-factor in the room. “Shit, this new stuff sounds amazing live!” But as the crowd didn’t know it all just yet, the band’s decision to go 50/50 (1 new, 1 old, 1 new, 1 old….) was a brilliant one. The band never lost a beat, and they never lost the crowd’s attention. But with the new tracks kicking so much arse live, that was never going to be much of a problem anyway.
“As Above, So Below” immediately followed “Flashover”, and while “Gravity’s Rainbow”, “Golden Skans” and “Magick” were highlights later in the set, they took none of the shine away from the newer tracks. “Echoes” was killer, as was “Venusia”, “Surfing The Void” and “The Same Space”. They saved the best for last though, with the epic party starter “Atlantis to Interzone” closing out the night and sounding better than ever.
DJ. Pump it up.
With only two shows in Australia this time around, and the new album only out for two weeks now, this was very much a promotional tour – so you better believe they’re only just getting started. Don’t miss Klaxons when they return this Summer for Field Day (and assorted other festivals) – this is one band worth all the hype.
