“We finally made it. Sorry for the delay,” deadpans Eels frontman Mark “E” Everett early during the band’s highly energetic, hugely entertaining Roundhouse gig.
It has been a minute — and not just since the band visited the UK. In fact, their London show is (almost) a night of firsts. It’s the first full gig they’ve played in four years (apart from Nottingham last night). It’s the first time they’ve ever played songs like Steam Engine, Amateur Hour, The Gentle Souls, and Good Night on Earth to an audience (apart from Nottingham last night). It’s the first time they’ve played the sublime title track of 2018’s The Deconstruction (apart from — well, you know the drill by now).
Nils van der Linden 