Brand New
SUPPORT ACTS: Thrice, Glassjaw
As soon as Brand New announced that they would be headlining Wembley Arena – their biggest UK gig to date, there would have almost certainly been a majority of people who questioned the band’s choice. People who doubted whether or not Brand New could pull it off or even sell enough tickets to make the show worthwhile in the first place. These doubts come naturally when such an un-commercial band decides to take risks. But those people may have underestimated the power of the Brand New’s music and the shear force of their unmatched fan base. Even though the show isn’t completely sold out, the atmosphere in here tonight would wash those doubts away in a second.
Support band Thrice kick the night’s proceedings off in style, bearing a very competent performance. And although a lot of the crowd seem to be lifeless, each band member seems genuinely ecstatic to be playing at such a famous arena. They manage to bring some life to the arena in the end and overall, were very impressive.
Glassjaw swagger on stage with a certain amount of confidence, which is evident throughout their entire performance. Their post-hardcore anthems enticing and exciting their seemingly vast fan following within the crowd, front man Daryl Palumbo oozing stage presence. They finish their set off with fan favourite, ‘Siberian Kiss’, which causes an increase in mosh-pits and sees the band off to a worthy ovation.
But all of this pails in comparison to what comes next.
As the anticipation increases, and with their usual mystique, the lights go down and the band of the night Brand New enter to a rapturous uproar. They start off their biggest ever UK gig with the intro ‘Welcome To Bangkok’, an intro that delves into a very distinctive and epic sound. This leads perfectly onto ‘Sink’, taken from the band’s newest album, they perform it with just as much intensity and twice the noise. ‘Degausser’ and ‘You Won’t Know’ bring the latter too. Every word etched on the band’s faces, they cavort around on stage like they own it, and tonight, they do.
Fan favourites and the still compelling, ‘Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades’ and ‘The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows’, send the arena into a frenzy, while the performance of ‘Okay, I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don’t’, means that you can’t hear yourself or the band over the crowd, singling loudly along to every word.
Front man Jesse Lacey performs a stripped down version of the beautiful ‘Limousine’, by himself, with just a guitar in hand, but has every one hanging on his every note. A man of very few words, Lacey would much rather let the music do the talking for him, which it does in the best way possible.
Newer songs, the violently heavy ‘Gasoline’ and ‘Vices’ are played with the up most power and cause chaos within the mosh infused crowd. The upbeat ‘Archers’ makes its appearance in the set-list with its pop-hooks and infectious exhilaration; it’s a great addition to the night.
‘Jesus’ and ‘You Stole’ bring a chilled out atmosphere with their poetic choruses and soft vocals, played with enough passion to give you chills. Allowing the band to take in the overwhelming feeling in the arena.
Set-list rarities ‘Seventy Times Seven’ and ‘Jude Law and A Semester Abroad’ make appearances that only increase the thrill of the crowd, with their incredibly catchy choruses. A near perfect set-list for a near-perfect gig and when all is said and done, Brand New don’t need a heavy song to finish and end with a bang. Instead they choose to end with the amazing, ‘Play Crack The Sky’ a simplistic yet deep song, haunting and flawlessly performed.
The show may not be a completely sold out show, but from the atmosphere and noise in here tonight, you would never have guessed. The electricity in the arena is unmistakeable. As is the band’s ever-growing fan base. Doubters beware. There is nothing that Brand New can’t do.
5/5
- Amy Parker
