Stars rate Klaxons

London quintet showcase new album to Mark Ronson, Erol Alkan and Mystery Jets

04 February 2009 - Super producer Mark Ronson was in the crowd to watch Klaxons play a surprise gig at London’s Madam Jojo's’ last night (3 Feb).

The band were dressed in mini shorts, garters, ripped tights and tutus, and played a 40 minute set debuting a handful of new songs taken from their nearly completed second album.

It follows the huge success of 2007’s Mercury Prize-winning, Myths OF The Near Future.

Ronson, who has worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Kaiser Chiefs, laughingly told 6 Music that their next album is one he’s had nothing to do with: “I’ve heard it and they are a truly special band. There’s something really unique about the sound, the melodies, the lyrics, what they do and yeah - they wouldn’t let me near it.”

As for what he thought of the gig, Ronson was impressed.

“I thought it was amazing,” he said, after the show. “I loved seeing them play the first record and all the new songs, I know they were nervous but I thought it was a great show. Obviously they had home field advantage, a lot of friends there, but it was great.”

The latest batch of songs include more guitar-based tracks and a move away from the new rave sound to sci-fi punk funk.

Klaxons also played their older hits Magick and Atlantis To Interzone.

‘They pulled it off’

Another big name producer and DJ, Erol Alkan, was there and gave 6 Music his response to the new tracks.

“I really enjoyed it, I thought it was great,” he explained. “It was great to hear the new songs live because I think they are a really good live band.

“It’s exciting watching the album develop and second albums are always pretty interesting propositions, so I’m looking forward to it.”

"I’ve heard it and they are a truly special band."
Mark Ronson

He was joined by guitarist William Rees from the Mystery Jets, who thought they triumphed despite it being a tough gig.

“I think it’s very hard for bands doing gigs like this, especially when they are premiering new material. This is a club that holds two, three hundred people. The sound system isn’t great and it is a kind of uphill struggle but in the face of that adversity, they pulled it off.”

Erol and William agreed that there was one song in particular that stuck out.

“I was listening out for melodies and they’ve got some really good melodies,” said William. “The second song they did, Imaginary, was really, really good.

“I love the Klaxons. To me they are like the last great London band… They are one of those bands that came into London and shook things up.”

To which Erol added: “They are four superheroes in tights.”

The fans verdict

On the whole it seems the crowd was impressed by their on stage presence.

“It was kind of a change of direction I suppose, it was more noisy, less dancey.”

“The new material, I couldn’t really understand what was going on to be honest.”

“I think the new stuff, if they bring it out this year, it’s going to be huge, but they have to bring it out this year otherwise they’re going to disappear into obscurity.”

The gig was part of a White Heat night and according to fans, Klaxons worked the intimate setting of Madam Jojo’s.

“The atmosphere was just incredible. It really brought it to life. Everyone in the crowd was loving it.”

“They try, anyway. They try hard, but they satisfy. They’re not the best but they satisfy. It’s good fun.”

“What was going on tonight was energy, more than the sun.”

“Today they had those nice dresses on, slightly different to nu rave, a slightly transsexual vibe going on.”

“Unrefined, raw power, primal, sexual energy coming out of their ears.”

See below for the set list:

Magick
Moonhead
As Above So Below
Imaginary
Golden Skans
Silver Forest
Gravity's Rainbow
Valley Of The Calm Trees
Atlantis To Interzone

Georgie Rogers