The chill-ridden, windy evening of October 7th marked the return of Scottish indie rockers We Were Promised Jetpacks to Columbus. It was the groups return to town and second stop in the state this year after a large response at the Columbus Arts Festival in the summer. Several fans, that stood in the large pavilion downtown yelled welcome back as they took over Skully’s Music Diner. It was a crowd of loud, excited, dedicated fans from the area and beyond, some getting a second 2022 helping of Jetpack powered fuel. One mega-hardcore fan made it known mid-show that he came from Hawaii to see them, earning several stage-handed keepsakes including stage towels The evening began with Arizona’s Breakup Shoes warming up the stage for later blastoff.
Breakup Shoes warmed up the evening with some new Arizona-based tunes. They’re just four sweet western boys from Phoenix making sweet tunes for sweet ears, playing tunes from new record Narratives.
The crowd was a bit reserved and quiet at first but they quickly broke the ice with a funny library joke starting things out bluesy, jamming under the warm California sun and surf with “Brian Wilson is My Dad.”
A short and sweet two minutes came and went with “How it Goes,” while “I am Terrified of Heights” had a more whimsical, dreamy opening as notes jangled through the speakers and air. Like flying in the sky, then having the sudden sensation of dropping altitude.
“Nicotine Dream” dragged and vaped its way into the ears and lungs like a cloud of smoke. “Unrequited Love,” was soft, subtle with suitable emotional aquatic angst in guitars. “Monotony,” was inspired by the day to day drudgery of whatever job you’re forced to go to. “IDK” ended things upbeat and happy.
The atmosphere wasn’t as grandiose as their last visit to town but was indoors, with all adults present and a cool club vibe, minus the grassy knoll and surrounding booths and bridge. The setting provided a more natural reaction for fans, casual and oldschool to participate and act as desired. The stage was also graced by fellow Scotsman and Frightened Rabbit alumni Andy Monaghan manning guitar and keyboard.
The Edinburgh based band almost went mosh pit metal straightaway, with the heavy opening jam of “Circles and Squares” calming midway to a nice head-bopping pace as vocalist/guitarist Adam Thompson warmed up the mic.
First new tune “Nothing Ever Changes” carried the nights first retro-‘80s vibe, harkening back to the loudest decade’s new wave and early goth sounds. Debut material came early as time passed by mid-paced and mellow on “Moving Clocks Run Slow.” Sneaking in a little reggae flavor at the end.
“Blood, Sweat, Tears” got a nice reaction and some crowd boogie. “Fat Chance” offered more new material to vibe on. Unravelling got its shining moment during “Peaks and Troughs.” “Hanging In” represented the first of dual The More I Sleep the Less I Dream tunes.
“Roll Up Your Sleeves” prepped everyone for the colder months coming. “If It Happens” carried the continued, calm, cool retro-vibe keeping feet and bodies moving. “The More I Sleep the Less I Dream” carried the vibes of a cool, atmospheric soothing nightmare. “Quiet Little Voices” carried a very energetic jumpy vibe.
“Repeating Patterns” was arguably the heaviest tune of the night with trippy, acid rock vibes.. “Pear Tree” shook out a garage rock rawness with dark vibes as drums started the end of the evening, playing fast and steady blasting out “Short Bursts.”
Images and words by Mike Ritchie
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