Jesus Jones at Esher Theatre (16.11.2024) with No Imlay supporting.
A first visit to Esher (it’s just out of southwest Greater London boundaries) to see a band, in the small, 300 capacity theatre, just off the high street, next to and dwarfed by Elmbridge Borough Council Offices, with a handy large car park.
It’s a lovely little place with a small but smart and well-staffed bar… but how on earth do a once chart topping band decide to wind up their 35th anniversary, world tour here? I have scratched around a bit but the band are originally from Wiltshire and I haven’t come up with anything. Maybe some of them live round here? Anyone know?
The theatre dates back to 1936 and it was refurbished and reopened in September 2021. Toyah’s played here and Bobby Davro heads the panto cast this season.
There’s a bank of about 10 rows of seats to the back and the rest of this high ceiling room is standing this evening – handy for a sit down and save a grey-haired gig goer’s legs for the main band eh. The capacity reduces to 250 when all seated. There must be about 200 here tonight – there’s plenty of room – and there is a certain Jesus Jones look about them. I could have done with a ponytail. At least I didn’t have a haircut this week.
(Here tonight with a friend Keith, rediscovered in last few years, from school, when I bumped into him at the Vive Le Rock awards event in Shepherd’s Bush.)
The bar is congested and the room slow to fill during the oddly named support band, No Imlay. They said who they were which made me wonder if I was already going deaf. I looked on the small merch stand off the front right of the room in a cubby hole – no clues. Friend Keith went and asked them afterwards. It was No Imlay. Really? I looked up later to find that a key band member left at some point called Simon Imlay so they changed their name to No Imlay. Well, well, well. The possibilities are endless for similar band naming traditions.
No Imlay enjoyed their slot – experienced and relaxed – as did those in the room. An easy rocking listen with some good guitar sounds (and smart guitars) that wouldn’t be out of place in a Nashville bar.
So, Jesus Jones: formed in 1988, two US top five singles in 1990 and a UK number one album in 1991 – Doubt. Two years later and a number six UK album, Perverse, and nothing else came close, either side of the Atlantic. Six albums in total. Such amazing and rapid heights and then they were gone, it seemed. They kept going though, with the same line up, aside from drummer, Gen, leaving and returning.
I bought Doubt when it hit the charts in 1991 – looking for something different and off the back of their hit single (it reached no. 7 in the UK), International Bright Young Thing. (YouTube Top of the Pops link.) That album is all I know, so I’m not entirely sure what to expect tonight. There are only a handful of living bands left that I have bought material by and that I haven’t seen live. Jesus Jones are one of them.
A chap comes on to repeat the fire safety warning that he gave before the support band, pointing to the way we came in and to another route out behind a side curtain. This has ever happened at a gig? Should I be worried? Pyrotechnics?
I am instantly surprised when Jesus Jones come on, as to what a guitar-look they have, when the term techno indie rock is what springs to mind – all those weird electronic noises and beats in their singles. Two guitars and a bassist up front, with lead singer Mike Edwards always with his guitar.
The keyboards and electronic sounds are important mind – Iain Baker is mid-stage and side on, described also as ‘programmer’ and at the laptop between songs and writhing over the keyboard during them. He’s intense and enjoying himself immensely. We are among 200 people and the band are all playing it like they’re doing Wembley. Impressive and grateful commitment.
The ‘real’ Jesus Jones fans in the centre are leaping about. I’m more reserved and on the edge, but it’s very danceable stuff – ankles and knees will suffer tomorrow.
One nice small venue feature was a member of the bar staff diving between legs to collect discarded plastic glasses. A mop was out earlier. Safety first eh.
I do find I am waiting for the Doubt tracks a bit, and there’s a good handful of them and all a great experience – so pleased I eventually made it to see them. Right Here, Right Now… you must know that one. Another signature Jesus Jones track and later Real, Real, Real and Who, Where, Why. Great tunes that I feel I am unpacking after many years. (Setlist link)
I enjoyed the set as a whole but no Doubt as to my top picks.
The band seem to enjoy this end of tour evening as do this nostalgic gang of fans and the inquisitive extras like me. Who’s next for Esher Theatre – it’s one to keep an eye on for more surprises maybe?
Gigs with Ivan 