When Monday nights deliver good vibes and nostalgia, soundtracked by none other than the Mystery Jets, they’re at their best. And they leave you thinking, “why aren’t they all like this?”.

We had the pleasure of going down to Headingley’s The Vinyl Whistle to watch the evening performance of their in-store tour (there had been a matinee earlier in the day)*. A queue wound around the front of the shop, to the intrigue of passers by, and we were soon let in to fill the store. 

The bouncy opener ‘Seratonin’ set the band’s stall out nicely, serving one of their most glorious singles right there on a low-key silver platter. Again, cementing how iconic an opportunity it was to witness such indie greatness, after hours, in a room dedicated to selling records. 

Softer and more emotive, ‘A Hole To See the Sky Through I’ was the first track that Mystery Jets brought out from their upcoming new album — which we were all there to celebrate — and the solo was impeccable. It added a layer of complexity and shreddiness, if you will, before ‘Doomsday’, a so-called “rager”, was brought to the table. It depicted situations that derive from an end-of-the-world era.

‘Soul River’ was another new one — a ballad, though. Out already as part of the pre-album ‘Flea Joint’ EP, the number produced an opportunity for their lead guitarist to use a slide up and down the fretboard and eloquently noodle around. Always a technique I enjoy, and one that sounded just dreamy in situ. 

It was at this point an elderly gentleman out on the high street of Headingley poked his head around the door and had a little jig. Who could resist the sugary tones of catchy ‘Bubblegum’? It got my hips swaying, and a dancefloor atmosphere with the suggestion of a mosh pit was also floated tongue-in-cheek. Unsurprisingly, I haven’t been able to dislodge it from my brain since…

Obviously, the pièce de résistance was the quintessential banger ‘Two Doors Down’, the finale that so reminded everyone of how madly famous the song made the Mystery Jets members way back when. From adverts to TV series, it was a colossal part of British indie culture in the noughties, and it still firmly holds its place now. The room was pumping and faces were all the more excited to meet the guys post-gig, too. 

*With thanks to Chuff Media for the press invite and photo pass.