There are few gigs in the life of a band that stand out as truly special, but for The Magic Gang, The Boston Music Room in Kentish Town may just be one of them. With a sense of anticipation permeating the air under the glow of the flickering lights, and a small army of die-hard fans brimming with excitement, the 200-or-so capacity venue is home to one such gig on Friday 10th July. Fans and band alike bellow lyrics – probably, giving the neighbours a bit of a headache – throughout an evening that both band and fans will surely remember for a long time to come.
Following stellar sets from Breathe Panel and the positively irrepressible The Big Moon, it’s difficult to comprehend the amount of noise the crowd is able to summon when Jack, Kristian, Angus and Paeris stroll into view; the sense of ecstasy is almost overwhelming. What’s more, this is a feeling that is clearly reciprocated and matched by the band. Just as ecstatic to be there as the crowd, their uncontrolled grins and apparent amazement at the dedication of the crowd singing their words back to them adds another layer of charm to the gig, as the chemistry between artist and audience is blatant and undeniable.
They put on a hell of a show, too. Jack’s signature happy-go-lucky dancing style and undeniable swagger, Kristian’s effortless guitar solos and Angus’ inimitable enthusiasm all blend with the music perfectly, and evoke absolute and unconditional adoration from the crowd. Starting with ‘You Don’t Want Me’, the band blast out crowd pleasing classics as well as unreleased material, with ‘No Fun’ drawing yet more raucous applause from the crowd, and ‘Jasmine’ getting the same enthusiastic reception – much to the confusion of Angus, who wonders “How can you know these songs? They’re not even released!”
Mention has to be given here to the support acts, with Breathe Panel and The Big Moon providing the perfect cocktail of sparkling, indie gloss and unhinged, organised chaos to compliment The Magic Gang’s indie rock. Special praise must go to The Big Moon, whose appearance onstage towards the end of ‘Shallow’ inspired the consequent stage-invasion-and-diving frenzy, and whose stock of unruly, grunge enthused tunes are seeing them become one of the country’s brightest up-and-coming stars.
If it’s possible to have a better night out on Friday than this for £10, neither The Magic Gang nor the bellowing mass of fans packed into this small North London venue seem to care. Jack and co. don’t seem to mind one bit being swarmed up on stage by the masses as everyone follows the The Big Moon’s example and piles on, just in time for an unapologetically ramshackle chorus of ‘Shallow’. And, to be honest, as this little North London venue bellows into the night, it’s hard to imagine a night out that could mean so much to so many people, and that will be remembered for such a long time to come as this one undoubtedly will.
Check out The Indiependent’s photos from the gig here
Words by Ben Kitto