03-12-2009Live reviews - Brand New

Jesse and Co do things their way to great effect

Tonight Manchester is a hotbed of music, Kings of Leon are at the arena pop stars Take That in town and indie rocker Jamie T just over they way, but there's one band who have, amongst their fans, the mostly hotly anticpated ticket to an evenings entertainment. Brand New are back after a lengthy time away with a show that sold out very quickly and over hearing the touts hawk hugely inflated prices and people lapping them up as if we weren't in a recession the atmosphere was one of expectance and surely the New Yorkers wouldn't dissapoint.

Before we get the chance to see its Moneen who begin the evening to a quickly filling Academy with easily a thousand people already there and getting warmed up by the Canadian indie rockers. Pulling songs that range throughout the bands career there are a few genuine fans who shout and scream alone when the likes of 'Believe' and 'If Tragedy is Appealing.' They are warmly recieved although the tech guys are still ironing out a few kinks in the sound system but the band more than make up for it in exuberance and energy as they use the entire stage to move around.

Then it's over to Kevin Devine who comes equipped with his electric backing band who are armed with a lengthy set made up primarily of his later offering with the majority of songs being off 'Brother's Blood.' Having never seen Kevin live before I was instantly impressed. His unique and often odd nature make him hugely appealing and is reminiscent of an early Connor Orbset. His high range of melodies sit well above the rock licks provide by his Goddamn Band and although very different to the personal introspection generally found on one of his albums tonight he showcased his flair for the heavier side of preceeding.

Brand New take the stage and the heat is sweltering, almost unbearable and as the crowd surges forward as Jesse and co take the stage a hysteria seems to form. Classic 'The Shower Scene' opens up the night and continues to stir the energy levels, by the end of the song tehre isn't one person taking full note. 'The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows' continues in similar fashion and equal amounts of girls and boys jump up and down in fevered delight. It's on this note that I conclude the majority of tonights audience are far younger than anticipated and standing at 5'10 I'm by no means the tallest of people but I towered over three quaters of those around me. They band state they aren't going to waste our time with small talk and continue headstrong into their set, its a worthwhile option because the band have so many good songs of a relatively small amount of albums to include.

'The No Seat Belt Song' and 'Play Crack The Sky' conclude the reminisces of days gone by and the only downside of the evening which warranted more than a few comments on the way out was the no show of 'Jude Law and The Symmester Abroad' the track which started things spiralling and still holds a place in the hearts of many of tonights 2000 plus attendees. It is loud, passionate and energetic and that's just the croud and you understand why bands state they feed off the croud as tonight its a circle or reciprocation on all levels and keeps the mood rising to untenurable levels.

'The Archer's Bow' and 'Jesus Christ' are absolutely phenomenal and begin the songs from 'The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me' and the band preview a few songs from the upcoming release 'Gasoline' the songs are good and show yet again Brand New's ability to transform their sound with each and every album, take new influence and impart new methods and still be able to produce something of the highest stature. The vocals on this sound urgent and with a percieved sense of meloncholy although I feel to fully engage you will need a prior awareness of the songs structure.

Brand New do exactly what they are now become famed for doing although they do so in their usual self made style. By choosing the songs in the order they did they set the gig at a rather odd placement and as the final two songs begin the grand finale seems destined for stadium rock nonchelance the strobe lights give a strong presence and teh sound all culmiate to make the whole package and as the ten minute epic draws to a close attention is drawn to a solitary Jesse whose prominent voices pierces through the Academy PA and reverberating in the ears and hearts of everyone in attendance. The new songs are hugely different from the pop punk days of Deja Entendu but the band are still prominent, relevant and tonight the announced to the Northwest that they are back!

Brand New Setlist:

The Shower Scene
The Quiet Things No One Knows
The No Seatbelt Song
Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades
Okay I Believe You, But Tommy Gun Don't
Jaws Theme Swimming
Play Crack The Sky
Gasoline
Sowing Season
The Archers Bows Have Broken
Jesus Christ
Luca
Bride
Degausser
You Won't Know
Welcome To Bangkok