It was a full-on ‘90s Brit legends night at West London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, with three bands who made their mark during the decade proving they’ve still got plenty of spark left. Throw in a few special guests and a crowd that was up for it from the first note, and you’ve got one of those nights that remind you just how much fun live music can be.
EMF @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Bis kicked things off with their trademark burst of sugar-rush indie energy. The Glasgow trio exploded onto the stage with Action And Drama, Amanda MacKinnon – AKA Manda Rin’s – synths driving the tempo as the band tore through their opening number. Lucky Night from their recent album Music For Animations sounded every bit the pop hit it should have been — a perfect anthem for fending off unwanted advances, delivered with a wink and a smile.
Steven “Sci-Fi Steven” Clark let rip on Kiss And Tell, its frenetic dance beat and Helen Love-style guitars sending early arrivals into a frenzy. Fan favourite Stress followed, John “John Disco” Clark bounding across the stage as the crowd bounced with him. By the time Kandy Pop hit, the venue was one big dancefloor of nostalgic joy. Even the heartbreak in Sound Of A Heartbreak couldn’t dampen spirits — it somehow sounded like the most fun you could ever have while being dumped. They closed their set with the infectious Eurodisco, thanking everyone for turning up early to catch them.
Next up were Jesus Jones, taking to the stage over thirty years after they first made waves on the indie-dance crossover scene. They opened with Move Mountains, setting the tone with driving guitars and a palpable sense of purpose. Guitarist Gary Thatcher prowled the back of the stage, practically glued to his amps, while frontman Mike Edwards remained the picture of sardonic cool, offering wry observations between songs.
Zeroes And Ones sounded as sharp and relevant as ever, Iain Baker hammering at his keyboards like a man possessed. Never Enough came with Edwards’ pointed musings on the super-rich, asking the crowd, “Do you wanna be happy?” before launching into Animal Instinct, a new song that sits comfortably alongside their classics. Bring It On Down brought a more melancholic edge, as guitarists Jerry De Borg and Thatcher locked into a fierce duel.
The Doubt era got a strong showing, with Two And Two and the anthemic International Bright Young Thing taking the crowd straight back to 1991. Where Are All The Dreams, from their 2018 album Passages, was more reflective — though Baker did his best to turn it into a warehouse rave from behind the keys. The Devil You Know hit hard thanks to Simon Matthews’ crisp drumming, and of course Right Here, Right Now brought the house down with the biggest cheer of their set.
Real, Real, Real reminded everyone why Jesus Jones were one of the most inventive bands of their time, and Who? Where? Why? carried a weary but witty tour-life charm. They finished with a storming Idiot Stare before closing on Info Freako — a wild, punk-dance hybrid that still sounds thrillingly unhinged after all these years.
After a short break, EMF hit the stage — now a four-piece due to Derry Brownson’s absence while he recovers from illness — and instantly lifted the mood with The Day The Music Died from their recent record The Beauty And The Chaos. The Empire erupted in joy as I Believe saw frontman James Atkin bounding across the stage, his energy infecting the entire room. Lies brought huge riffs from guitarist Ian Dench, while Hands In The Air, a new track from their upcoming EP, had the crowd doing exactly that, celebrating the band’s enduring message of inclusivity and togetherness.
Drummer Aid Todd kicked off a Reach For The Lasers rave medley, seamlessly blending Everybody Dance Now, Pump Up The Jam, Breathe, and even Blue Monday — a euphoric mash-up that turned the Empire into a full-blown club for ten glorious minutes.
James dedicated Children to Derry, wishing him a speedy recovery, before the nostalgic glow of Long Summer Days reminded us all of carefree times past. Then came the first surprise of the night — Utah Saints joined the band for a bouncy, communal rendition of Unbelievable, sending energy levels sky-high.
Returning to a four-piece, EMF delivered a punchy cover of I’m A Believer, giving the Neil Diamond-penned Monkees’ classic a dance-rock twist. They were soon joined once again by Bis and Ecce Shnak for a chaotic, joy-filled version of LGBTQ+ that had everyone on stage — and in the crowd — bouncing together in wonderful mayhem.
Just when it seemed the night was over, the Cinderford Town Crier appeared to deliver a booming announcement from EMF, before the band and Bis returned for an encore of Ecstasy Motherfuckers. It was pure, chaotic fun — the Town Crier even joining in on backing vocals — a perfect, messy, unforgettable finale to a night that celebrated everything weird, warm, and wonderful about British pop in all its forms.
Live review of Bis, Jesus Jones & EMF @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London by Simon Phillips on 17th October 2025. Photography by Adrian Hextall.
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