In what could only be described as a dream ticket for anyone who lived through the golden age of British alternative rock, Jesus Jones and EMF took to the stage at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town for a co-headlining show that defied both expectations and time itself. The inevitable comparisons between these two titans of the 90s dance-rock scene miss the point entirely – this wasn’t about who wore the crown, but rather a celebration of how two distinctly different approaches to mixing electronics with guitar music could both capture the zeitgeist of an era.
The evolution of both bands since their 90s heyday tells an interesting tale. Jesus Jones has increasingly embraced their rock foundations, with harder-edged guitars taking center stage, while EMF has delved deeper into their dance roots, creating an even more pronounced distinction between their sonic identities. This divergence was on full display throughout the night, making their pairing all the more compelling.
Jesus Jones hit the stage like a band with something to prove, fronted by the razor-sharp Mike Edwards and propelled by Iain Baker’s frenetic energy. Baker was a show unto himself, ping-ponging between his keyboards and the edge of the stage, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with every move. Their set struck that perfect balance between past and present, diving deep into “Doubt” with five career-defining tracks. “Right Here, Right Now” and “International Bright Young Thing” exploded with the same urgency that made them anthems in the first place, while newer material showed a band still at the peak of their powers. “Still Smiling,” their 2023 single, fit seamlessly alongside the classics – no small feat for a band with such a storied catalog. This wasn’t a band trading on past glories – this was Jesus Jones reminding us why they matter
The “Liquidizer” tracks showed zero rust, with “Info Freako” and “Move Mountains” packing the same punch they did at the dawn of the 90s. When they dipped into “Perverse,” especially with the tech-prophecy of “Zeroes and Ones,” you remembered why Jesus Jones were always several steps ahead of their time.
EMF, not to be outdone, arrived with their own arsenal of hits and fresh material. The band’s energy level was nothing short of astonishing, particularly during their six-song run through “Schubert Dip” material. “Unbelievable” naturally brought the house down, but it was the deeper cuts like “Children” and “Long Summer Days” that really showcased the band’s musical chops beyond their mega-hit.
Their new material from “The Beauty and the Chaos” (2024) fit seamlessly into the set. “Read the Room” and “Reach for the Lasers” suggest a band that hasn’t lost their knack for combining infectious hooks with electronic innovation. The inclusion of covers – Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer” and Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” – added a playful dimension to their set, though they made both songs entirely their own.
What sets these bands apart from many of their contemporaries isn’t just their musical evolution, but their genuine connection with fans. Both groups have built and maintained remarkably active communities, regularly engaging with their audiences through fan groups and meet-and-greets. It’s a blueprint that surprisingly few bands have followed, despite its obvious success. This commitment to community has created a self-sustaining ecosystem where longtime fans remain passionate while newcomers are welcomed with open arms – a flywheel effect that keeps both bands vital and relevant decades after their initial success.
The magic of this show was watching two distinctly different approaches collide and create something special. While Jesus Jones leaned into their politically-charged anthems with razor-sharp precision, EMF unleashed their trademark party-starting chaos – and somehow, this contrast made perfect sense. Neither band has watered down their sound over the years; if anything, they’ve doubled down on what makes them unique. This is British alternative music at its finest – smart, energetic, and utterly uncompromising. And just when you thought the night couldn’t get more electric, both bands stormed the stage for a face-melting rendition of “Info Freako,” with Jesus Jones frontman Mike Edwards grinning as he told the crowd, “People always assume EMF and us were great rivals – nothing could be further from the truth. We’ve been best friends for more than thirty years!”
For anyone questioning whether either band still “has it,” this show provided an emphatic answer: they never lost it. In fact, with both acts continuing to release vital new music while honoring their legacy, they’re proving that the best bands don’t need to choose between past and future – they can master both. In an era where the 90s are being constantly referenced by newer artists, it’s refreshing to see two of the decade’s most innovative bands still showing how it should be done.
