FROM the moment Jamie T takes to the stage, the O2 Academy erupts; beers are pelted across the room before the first strum of a guitar, arms are thrown in the air and the noise reaches fever pitch as the man from Wimbledon is greeted by the sold-out crowd like a returning hero. For many here, that’s exactly what he is; a guy who soundtracked an indie generation while amassing a cult-like following over ten years thanks to his quick-witted anthems and tales of rebellious youth.
He arrives in Glasgow having just released his latest album Trick, easily his most accomplished and varied record to date. It is one of its leading tracks ‘Power Over Men’ that is chosen to kick things off; and when its jerky rhythms and crooning refrains are greeted like the sounds of an old favourite, you immediately start to realise this is going to be a special gig.
Offering a balanced set which showcases all four albums, it’s a gig which highlights Jamie T’s versatility as an artist and performer more than anything. The sheer commitment to match him word for word on the old album tracks such as ‘Salvador’, ‘368’ and ‘The Man’s Machine’ show just how much those early records Panic Prevention and Kings and Queens still mean to people; so many years later, these songs continue to have the same effect on a crowd. From frantic rapping verses and poppy singalongs, he then has the ability to slow things down with a dark, brooding take on ‘Don’t You Find’ and a hypnotic solo effort of ‘The Prophet’ from third album Carry On The Grudge; keeping the crowd completely captivated in the process.
When placed beside the old, the newer material exhibits just how much Jamie T has developed musically in recent years. Building on the sonic experimentations of its predecessor, Trick takes the best parts of these previous offerings and brings them together to great effect; each track offering something different while sounding even bigger live in the hands of his backing band. Its live highlights include the rumbling atmospherics of ‘Solomon Eagle’ and the emotive ballad ‘Sign of the Times’ before a rollicking version of ‘Tinfoil Boy’; the latter emerging from its grime-inspired basslines with brutal intensity and dramatic lighting.
Naturally though it is the popular anthems of old that still resonate the most with people and Treays isn’t afraid to bring the big guns out one after the other as the gig rushes to a riotous finale. With the biggest reactions of the night reserved for ‘Sheila’ and ‘Sticks and Stones’, complete chaos then ensues for the encore rendition of ‘Zombie’; at which point, it is almost impossible to hear anything above the crowd.
It’s a triumphant return to Glasgow for Jamie T which showcases the perfect balance between youthful nostalgia and bold new material. Whether rapping furiously, standing on his own with a guitar or showing his skills as a wordsmith, it is particularly pleasing to see him look more self-assured and confident than ever; reinforcing his cult-like status as a performer, songwriter, raconteur and indie hero. The sweat-soaked crowd can leave the venue knowing that they have just witnessed an artist who is completely and utterly at the top of his game.
