Were one resplendent on a grassy knoll, snoozing or conversing joyfully about the joys of spring, Air would be the perfect soundtrack to one’s thoughts: the music to your musings. However, this not being outside or in the summer or in 1998 means Air have a difficult task. Some warbling through a vocoder in-between songs just isn’t going to cut it.  | | Air (pic: Ben Page) |
The sheer volume of conversation in the room is incredible, which surely reflects the inherent problem of a gig in which, essentially, there isn’t much to see on stage and there isn’t all that much to listen to either. Given the kind of music being played (i.e. music to canoodle to) staring with slack jaw and doing side-to-side dancing seems faintly inappropriate; you get the feeling the band might be better off behind a screen while the crowd chat amongst themselves. Judging by the response of a significant chunk of the fans, they fell in love with Moon Safari all those years ago and have clung on to its ambient flotsam for dear life in the tumult of the following years.  | | Air (pic: Ben Page) |
Air, it seems, aren’t impressed with these nostalgic tendencies as a plonking Kelly Watch The Stars and Sexy Boy demonstrate, the latter dragging its heels with a clumping bassline. A mosh pit materialises against the odds at some moments, especially during the more prog takes from 10,000 Hz Legend, but largely, the vibe is to simply to use this as a chance to catch up with friends’ news. There is, however, nothing wrong with the music, regardless of how politely tracks from the new album are received. Air are competent and entertaining, and have a captivating back catalogue, especially on the tender tones of The Virgin Suicides soundtrack. But the prospect of paying the best part of 20 quid to stand in a hall and listen to the kind of music that’s far better coming out of your stereo as you lay on your sofa isn’t exactly an appetising one. Air make soundtracks and soundscapes to dream and relax to. The beery gig is just somehow inappropriate for these polished professionals; out of context somehow, but it’s a heartfelt effort nevertheless. | 
