NME Tour: Mystery Jets, We are Scientists, Arctic Monkeys, Maximo Park @ Cambridge Corn Exchange, Feb 2006

The buzz and excitement surrounding this gig was palpable and understandably so. NME had gathered all the bands that they had been hyping over the last few months and thrown them all into the mixing pot. Did it work? I think it did.

The Mystery Jets were an excellent warm up act - lively and entertaining with catchy tunes. We are Scientists had hilarious American bitchy banter and sounded superb. They were so powerful with crystal clear vocals that I just couldn't help but love them. Arctic Monkeys created one hell of a stir. People were literally desperate to see them and the mayhem that ensued in the biggest most pit I've ever seen was testament to that. I thought that they played well but there was little entertaining going on and as a result I got a bit bored about 20 minutes into the set. Luckily Maximo Park whipped up the excitement again to frenzied proportions and blinded me with their energy and showmanship. Anyone who can get that many high kicks and Elvis hips into one show deserves respect! They really made the show a live experience. It was one of those face achingly good gigs that really gets your heart pumping. For days after I was waking up with lyrics in my head and a smile on my face.