After a comparatively unenergetic performance by The Clientele (the highlight of which featured keyboardist Mel Draisley nearly falling asleep while playing her shaker into the microphone), Peter Bjorn & John started off the show with a rendition of “Let’s Call it Off” that was almost as retro as the band’s matching suits. Though Bjorn & John (the latter of whom was MIA the last time Peter & Bjorn were in Boston) were both at the top of their game, it was Peter who continued to steal the show throughout the evening, constantly dancing wildly about the stage until at one point Bjorn announced that Peter had run backstage because he had ripped his pants.

One of the first set’s unexpected highlights was “The Chills,” which was stripped down from the urgent album version to a slower drum-and-bass rendition, with Peter replacing the album’s percussion with an occasional “chh-chh-chh-chh-chhhhh.” “Young Folks,” despite missing ex-Concrete Victoria Bergsman, drove the audience wild, namely one excited girl in the front row who at one point hopped onstage and began dancing along with Peter. Complete with bongos, obligatory audience singalongs, and – of course – plenty of whistling, it seemed as if the band were ready to close the show with “Folks.” But PB&J continued on with an amazing lineup of songs, ending the first set with an incredible rendition of “Objects of my Affection,” pushing the ten-minute mark with an epic “Up Against the Wall” during the encore, and finally ending with an ecstatic cover of The Buzzcocks’ “Ever Fallen in Love?”

With jelly finally back in the sandwich, PB&J were more delectable than ever; even after having already played in Boston only four months ago, Peter Bjorn & John and the crowd at the Avalon both sounded equally excited to be there. Whenever Peter Bjorn & John decide to swing by Boston again couldn’t possibly be too soon.