Birmingham Indie surf pop four-piece, JAWS, bought hazy guitar echoes of nostalgia-inducing lazy summers to Belgrave Music Hall on a cold Monday night in November. JAWS have made the transition in three years from lesser-known support act for the likes of Spector and Peace, to a UK tour headliner through a collection of festival stints and numerous headline slots at hometown venue, The Birmingham Institute. Through these various performances and the release of debut album, Be Slowly, in 2014, they’ve managed to engender a great amount of support which one couldn’t fail to observe on Monday night.

They remain a band undeniably linked to the reputation of the waves of B-town (Birmingham) bands that emerged onto the musical scene in late 2012, alongside the likes of Peace and Swim Deep. As such, their performances are also intrinsically linked with the characteristic B-town collection of young fan-girls adorning the edges of the stage from the first opening of the doors in adoration of their indie pop dreamboats.

The youngest members of the audience heralded the entrance of the headliners by throwing themselves into each other continuously in an explosion of ecstasy; they drooled over the vocals of Connor Schofield and his shimmering, summery melody.

‘Toucan Surf’ and ‘Friend Like You’ from 2013’s EP Milkshake, was performed to a crowded room of eagerly awaiting fans, some of whom were longing to recapture the excitements of late nights in 2013 with a set incorporating both old hits and newer tracks such as the 2015 upbeat opener ‘What We Haven’t Got Yet’, ‘Be Slowly’, a slowed down rendition of ‘Stay In, Stay Out’, ‘Surround You’ and final track ‘Gold’ are all received enthusiastically by the crowd, cementing their status as fan favourites and the ensuing continuance of JAWS’ success.

Jessica Heath