Jamie T. @ Brixton Academy 05/02/10

After last night's big show and great mixed audience tonight is a different set up. Brixton plays host to a delayed Jamie T gig. I hadn't thought about what the fans might be like but it's a lads night, lots of young men in Topman attire, Hackett polos, collars turned up, checked shirts all round. Some even smoke during the gig, as if their beer swilling loutish behaviour isn't enough, they are smoking in doors.

Funny how something which a few years ago seemed completely normal is now shocking. I must be coming over all prudish here, perhaps I was a little tired, but after a gig at which I expected a boisterous crowd and was pleasantly surprised to not be carried around tonight seems a little excessive. A case in point is the prick behind me, after a hail of beer is thrown over, he decides to wipe his hands on my coat, I can feel someone touching me and turn to see some bloke wiping his hands on me. His mate laughs heartily.

That's not to take away from the performance. Jamie T eventually appears to great applause and starts with “Emily's Heart” almost as if getting one of the weaker songs out of the way. Third song in “Salvador” really kicks things up, the crowd roar along. The song is a lot faster live than on the album, it sneers and pumps you up. “You up for a night out?” he asks. Yes we are, some more than others. Three gigs in a week and it kicks up on the third.

Jamie is clearly having fun on stage, perhaps it's the privilege of playing at Brixton Academy or perhaps it is finally being able to play gigs postponed due to illness. It is my first time seeing him, perhaps he is always this energetic. If so, great, a lot of bands appear on stage sing, nod, mumble some thanks and go off in the night, I like my bands to give me something on stage. Jamie T runs around, he jumps up onto the speaker stack, during the encore he jumps off and rolls across the stage still singing all the while. His back up band the Pacemakers are tight and really keep the songs going all funky base and crisp chords.

The set is a mix of old songs, pre-Panic Prevention, including "Northern Line" and newer ones from Kings and Queens. He starts singing “Sheila” and is unhappy with the audience's response so starts again. He ends the first set with “If You've Got The Money”. All songs are sung with joy and a cheeky grin.

He finishes with “Sticks and Stones” it is amazing live, the audience go ballistic, there are flailing limbs down at the front. It was a good gig, and, to quote an older member of the audience, “He's good but I don't like his fans much”. I agree.