Part three of Sparks’ 21x21 tour, during which at every gig they perform one of their albums in its entirety, and it’s time for their most commercially successful record, 1974’s Kimono My House. It’s the one with ‘This Town Aint Big Enough For the Both of Us’ and ‘Amateur Hour’, so is the crème de la crème for the Sparks connoisseur. Naturally then, they were out in force tonight to witness jovial, eternally youthful front man Russell and comically stern, stony-faced brother Ron (plus a meticulously well practiced four-piece band) run through note-perfect renditions.

And it was close to a religious experience for many devotees - the last time they moshed like this was back when Kimono My House first came out, 34 years ago. Medical staff were no doubt on red alert for excitement-induced heart problems amongst the 50+ year olds, Dad-dancing unashamedly in gay abandon. Fact is, it’s impossible not to enjoy Russell’s upbeat flamboyance and vocally superb performance, even if surrounded by out-of-tune Sparks obsessives outdoing each other to drown him out.

Playing Kimono My House in track order meant opening with money shot ‘This Town Aint Big Enough For the Both of Us’ and following it with ‘Amateur Hour’. But the hit-rate of winners on the album is remarkable, so every tune gets a hero’s welcome, with perhaps ‘Falling In Love With Myself Again’, ‘Talent Is An Asset’ and ‘In My Family’ the ones most dangerously affecting the well being of the aging moshers.

After closer ‘Equator’, a triumphant Sparks lined up to soak up the adoration of the loving disciples, many of whom are season ticket holders for the full 21 date tour. Three down, 18 to go. Let’s hope they all make it to the end.
Jake Bickerton