Three’s a crowd (pleasing combo)

Peter, Bjorn and John at the Spitz, 5th August 2006

Recipe for a good night out- Take Rod, Jane and Freddy (seventies kids TV icons); add a sprinkling of Abba-esque harmonizing, a pinch of Concretes style Nordic modernism; plus a good dash of Buzzcocks impetuousness, and what do you get? Peter, Bjorn and John!

Tonight is a sixties nostalgia fest with bells on. Literally! The polo-shirted, espadrille-bedecked frontman (Peter I presume, they weren’t wearing nametags) with his harmonica, maracas, and versatile vocal chords, is like a modern-day Davy Jones in waiting (waiting for a makeover my nefarious alter-ego whispers in my ear). And I haven’t even touched on the fantabulousa whistling chorus which the current single ‘Young folks’ requires. Bring back One Man and His Dog that’s what I say. (With pipes like that he could shepherd for Sweden. Here boy!).

The whole thing leaves a vestigial smile on my face for the rest of the evening. It’s my idea of fun. There’s nothing like a twee Scandinavian in espadrilles to silence your inner demons and change your mood. Like orange squash and honey; Kiora for the mind. Yes, I’m happy as the proverbial Larry at the Peter, Bjorn and John gig. With my Magners, my mates, and my newly-acquired pretty, girlie fan, which vodkaslut purchased for me on her Spanish hols and just everyone in the sweaty, intemperate nightclub wants, nay, covets (one day I’ll go to foreign climes and find my Shangri-la, oh yes). Fair to say, I'm loving it, 'to The Max.'

One thing though- what was that creepy/quaint Owl mask that was sitting on the drums? And what was the weird, fat-Pete-imitating photographer doing STANDING ON THE STAGE? Get out the way and let the young-uns and the older, wiser, ‘last chance to have fun’ types, enjoy the evening. There’s publicity and then there’s living in the moment. I know which I think is more important and the band needs to sort out their priorities too. Fans or paparazzi? It should be an easy choice. GSG.