IT was a date that I had been waiting to see for what seemed like forever - but it was getting on for eight months since I managed to beat the rush and book tickets to what would be billed as a spectacular celebration of the (ten plus one) anniversary of the seminal ‘The Race for Space’ album by Public Service Broadcasting.

Having seen PSB in Truro on their most recent tour, I knew that there was a significant chance that it was going to be a good night - and the band had promised that they’d go all out for this one off show at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London.

It wasn’t just good. It wasn’t just excellent. It wasn’t just exceptional. It was mind blowing how good the event was - and it’s hardly a surprise that the band only expect to break even on the costs of doing this event because its clear that a significant amount of time and money has gone into the spectacle I was truly privileged to be able to witness.

I’ll be the first to admit that the photos accompanying this review aren’t the most spectacular you’ll ever see and the reason for that is that I didn’t want to witness the entire event from behind my phone screen. Others did that, and perhaps I’m showing my age here, I wanted to view it with my own eyes.

The Race for Space anniversary event had everything. Public Service Broadcasting’s tremendous live performances were supplanted by a whole smorgasbord of friends - from EERA (who is pretty much one of the band now) to dancing astronauts and guest appearances from Andreya Casablanca, Smoke Fairies and the roller skating dancers.

Prior to the performance, there was an excellent support appearance from Hamish Hawk who lifted the crowd’s energy to dangerously high levels prior to the dopamine hit that would be the wonderful main event.

Not forgetting of course, the genuinely joyous Brassy Gents - a collection of brass players who can dance as well as they play, at the same time. I wish they were able to be booked for flash mobs because they’d brighten up any bad gathering.

Although, this performance definitely wasn’t a bad gathering. It was perfection personified. As well as all the above, there was also some genuinely planet shattering visuals both behind the band and in the arena which basically amounted to a truly cinematic experience, with the addition of a truly stunning Sputnik satellite lit up in LED soaring above the crowd.

The sputnik satellite flying above the crowd at PSB's performance at Alexandra Palace (Picture: Aaron Greenaway)
The sputnik satellite flying above the crowd at PSB's performance at Alexandra Palace (Picture: Aaron Greenaway) (Aaron Greenaway)

You weren’t watching a band, you were watching a story of two superpowers racing to be the first to reach space but told through music and visuals.

Public Service Broadcasting were the story tellers and the audience were watching the story unfold.

It was a true display of the world of PSB with intelligence, thought and orbit shattering creativity.

I said to my friend as we left - I don’t think we will ever see something better than this. And if that’s the case, what an event to have that accolade.