Brand New

For a band to sell out a one off show in Brixton academy within a matter of hours is a major success. For this same band to have been virtually absent for nearly over two years without so much as a pre-empted new album release and to cause a queue around London’s Brixton miles long, is also quite the achievement. Brand New caused a wave of excitement through the original emo kid crowd with this anticipating one off show, and standing outside the academy with a hoard of loyal fans, the atmosphere was intense.

Standing centre stage lit in a hazey purple light which cast his face into shadow, Jesse Lacey himself thanked the crowd for their patience of the bands absence, and slowly teased us into the intro-track of the bands second album “Deja Entendu.” There is nothing quite like the buzz of hearing a record come to life as such, and in person Lacey’s voice is ever more powerful and booming then what can be justified on vinyl.

As the performance continued, it became evident that this was a landmark gig for the band to carry out, to ensure that they still had that edge on many of the bands in the same market and to see if their fans still remained true to the music, and with the packed out auditorium it was clear to see that Brand New had nothing to fear. Fans were packed in so tight that the venue soon became a sweat pit, and the ability to move freely was impossible with everyone attempting to get that little bit closer to the front.

While some are led under the misconception that Brand New are dull and their songs sounding alike, live they are riveting to watch, almost hypnotic. A fantastic mixture was played, with chord changes and paces played about with to give the tracks that exclusively live atmosphere and Lacey’s voice barely faltered on a single note.

Personal highlights included “The boy who blocked his own shot”, “I believe you but my tommy gun don’t”, the heavier and emphatic “Geurnica”, the classic “The quiet things that no-one ever knows” and the specatularly beautiful “Play crack the sky.” Graced with two encores, the crowd could really not get enough of Mr Lacey and screamed along with his acoustic version of “Jude Law” and the nostalgic “Socco Ameretto and Lime.” Here is where Brand New hold their identity, in their complex lyrics and astounding imagery that is created from the context of their songs, and I found each one being played located itself with a memory of mine from the past 3 years. A band that can make you think and feel really are a band that you should never lose faith in.

A few new tracks were played, and in all honesty they sound promising in their own right, but were lost among the favourite anthems that were played. However, high hopes are held for the 3rd release.

Brand New have proved that they are still the original emo kids. It’s not about fashion, it’s not about hair and it’s not about ludicrous facial piercings. It’s about standing there together, for that hour and a half, and witnessing something special.

A truly one off gig that blew the house down in style. Gutted to any fan who missed out.

FUTURE GIGS

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