Photo: Wenn
Eagles of Death Metal saunter onto the stage at the 02 Forum, Kentish Town. “Gimme that flag!” Jesse Hughes calls out. A fan throws it on stage and the band hold it up: a French flag with a simple word adorned onto it: LOVE.
It’s been long awaited for the band to come back to the UK and the room is full of love and adoration as they launch into ‘I Only Want You’. The band are slick and they ooze coolness. They represent the fun, sexy, hedonistic lifestyle of good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
“We’re gonna get our dicks out and have a good time!” shouts Hughes, before launching into ‘So Easy’ swinging his mic and knee knocking – Elvis eat your heart out. Hughes is out to please tonight. He acknowledges everything that is thrown at him including artwork and a denim vest with ‘Bowie’ embroidered onto it. He wears a huge gold cape for ‘Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M)’. It’s an animated performance and done with an amazing sense of humour as the crowd religiously chant “Don’t you know who I am!”
“There’s more love than Led Zeppelin could ever sing about!” Jesse exclaims blowing kisses to the crowd. ‘I Love You All The Time’ brings a smile to everyone’s face as the band dance with the tri-coloured flag. It would be easy to be sombre with the shadow of the Paris attacks lingering, but the atmosphere is one of unity, positivity and love. It feels like a victory.
The encore is packed full with Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Motörhead covers. They end with ‘I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’. Tonight is a triumph, it’s slick, it’s scuzzy and it’s pure unadulterated fun.
