For 20-something adults, the sight of the mid-afternoon queue outside Shepherd’s Bush Empire is unnerving. Several hundred teenagers and tweenies with parents throng the building like a plasticated, day-glo snake, all aquiver and ready to bite.

With a hardened heart, I dress entirely in black as a ‘pre-emptive measure’, a stand against ‘the kids’. But why? Surely the under-18s deserve their chance at seeing a band they love? And yes, of course they do. I’m only here due to uk-fusion of course, so really I shouldn’t complain.

I fight the adult in me and head into the venue, up the stairs past a gaggle of teenage girls in leggings and “Klaxons are kunts” t-shirts (did you leave the house in that, young lady?). Thankfully the tickets are for the first floor balcony rather than the pit. We join families and gangs of unescorted teens as excitement builds. In front is a father and son combo looking decidedly stiff – both wear white sportswear and stand bolt upright, arms folded through out. Poor boy, imagine the repression he felt! Especially as, within sight at the front of the balcony was a trendy Dad with his daughter, swirling glow-sticks and having a whale of a time.  Also at the front are three brothers with their Mum, the youngest of whom can be no more than five years old. To add to the Boyzone feel is a trio of young ladies holding up a sign requesting that the Klaxons “Get naked!”.

When Klaxons finally take to the stage after a prolonged tea break during which the kids hang dangerously far over the balcony edge, throw lit matches into the air, smoke dope and sink a few pints, my faith is restored: drummer Stefan is wearing a Sub Pop t-shirt. Thanks, Stefan, that’s better. Launching into ‘The Bouncer’, their time spent touring is evident in their tight sound. Simon’s guitar is now more adventurous, Jamie’s bass even heavier, James’ keyboards… er, still great. This is a professional band really enjoying themselves. They get through the now familiar songs with great energy. ‘Two Receivers’ is amazing and lets me forget my surroundings for a few minutes. ‘Totem on the Timeline’ is perfectly dirty and forthcoming single ‘It’s Not Over Yet’ – sure to be a massive hit this summer.

Klaxons prove that with their sound they can fill out venues the size of Shepherd’s Bush Empire, just as they did the dingy venues where they began not so very long ago.

The kids are ecstatic. I’m happy. All in all, not a bad afternoon.

(4/5)