10 months into the pandemic, the nerve-racking novelty of virtual gigs has worn off. Its doable, often enjoyable, but musicians and fans alike are no longer fizzing with excitement at the prospect of reaching out to one another behind a screen. Indie-pop heroes Blossoms know this, and they waltz into their first gig in nine months, at Londons O2 Academy Brixton, with a sense of laidback confidence.

I just took off my shoes because I feel like the carpets asking for it, frontman Tom Ogden says after the first three songs. You can see why: its a cosy set-up, all five lads from Stockport as well as three touring musicians are facing one another in a circle, fairy lights tracing the stage with orange table lamps dotted around the room. Bass player Charlie Salt says he is just relaxed, yeah, while lead guitarist Josh Dewhurst is enjoying a cup of herbal tea in a polka-dot mug.

Were afforded this level of detail because the gig is being broadcast with a virtual reality option; despite the novelty, there must be a little less adrenaline without thousands of faces in front of you. Still, the hour-long setlist is tight and familiar, with no unnecessary gaps between all the big hits. The slow-burning Getaway is performed with a great sense of ease, while the glacial Honey Sweet is at its swaggering best.

Its a highlight to hear the bands two new Christmas songs, Christmas Eve and Its Going To Be A Cold Winter, live for the first time. Lights turn from orange to green back to red and Christmas trees, framing the stage, make the place feel like home. Oh No boasts the glorious warmth that defined the bands disco-inflected album Foolish Loving Spaces, and At Most A Kiss is a rousing delight.

The virtual reality option, on the other hand, is a mixed affair. If you download the Melody VR app, you can switch between six different camera angles and spin on a 360-degree axis in your living room to experience the whole thing. Its a good idea in theory, but frustrating in practice: your phone screen, or iPad of whichever size, is never going to be as wide or immersive as, well, your eyes, and such technological strain might actually just make your stream buffer, meaning you miss Charlemagne entirely.

Still, this isnt Blossoms fault theyre on terrific form and grateful to be back, while seemingly aware that theres no beating the real thing. I enjoyed that more than I thought I would, Ogden concludes. Theres certainly enjoyment to be found here and more incentive than ever to look forward to a proper return next year.

Credit: press

Blossoms played:

The Keeper

Your Girlfriend

Theres a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)

I Cant Stand It

Getaway

My Swimming Brain

Sunday Was A Friend of Mine

If You Think This Is Real Life

Honey Sweet

Its Going To Be A Cold Winter

Blow

Like Gravity

Falling for Someone

Oh No (I Think Im in Love)

At Most a Kiss

Charlemagne

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Blossoms live in London: indie heroes get up close and personal with virtual reality gig - NME