Brand New: Philly Concert Review

Hey everyone, WVOU GM throwing up Vincent Discepola's review of Philly's Brand New Concert...ENJOY!!!

"This past Sunday I ventured down to the Electric Factory to catch a show before another grueling week of school began. I had seen Brand New a few years ago when their last album (The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me) and was pretty impressed with the performance, although their stage presence was the weakest part of the show.
So heading into Sunday I had the feeling that I would get a pretty similar experience again, and I was right.

Crime in Stereo was on first. They are a band based out of New York (like both Glassjaw and Brand New) and friends of the headlining band. They played a string of songs that kept the crowd’s attention for the brief twenty minutes or so they played, but sadly ended slowly which in a way turned the crowd off to them.
Next up was Glassjaw. The crowd was anxiously awaiting and some even started pushing forward before the band even came on. This was Glassjaw’s first night on the tour, as well as their first performance in quite a long time. They didn’t disappoint, however, as the crowd went wild singing and screaming along. The band had a unique set up, all the instruments were facing one another as the popular flag of Glassjaw hung in the background. Another interesting part of their performance was the fact they did not have a light show, they simply had the lights dimmed and let their stage presence make up for the rest. Glassjaw’s lead singer, Daryl Palumbo (also lead singer of Head Automatica), was by far the most entertaining and energetic of all the bands of the night.

Brand New came out with a lot of energy, Jesse had a second microphone to do most of his screaming into, and the band picked up a 3rd guitar player to cover some extra parts and vocals when needed. The crowd pushed and swayed and sang along, everyone was enjoying their time with the band. Luckily enough, I was able to make my way to the point where only a few people (and a gap full of concert security) separated me and the stage. “Welcome to Bangkok” really got the crowd going right into the pounding bass drum driven “Sink” from their newest release. Then, the band took the crowd back to previous albums for the next six songs. The end of this string of songs included an interesting, mostly acoustic version of “Limousine” (the band only started playing once Jesse sings “seven loves you so much”). Next, the use of the backdrop screen accompanied “Vices” and “Gasoline,” and then the band played one of my favorites, “Sowing Season (Yeah).” The band headed back to two more songs from Daisy, then to The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, then to Jesse Lacey finally speaking to the crowd for once. Up until that point, all that the singer had said to us was “Thank you” and “We’re Brand New,” as well as thanking the opening bands and talking about how wonderful they were. But at this point, before playing “Bought a Bride” Jesse thanked the crowd for the band telling us how much it means to them. After “Bought a Bride,” the band proceeded into the first single off of Daisy, “At the Bottom.” Then, all but Jesse and Vinny (second guitarist/back up singer) walked off stage as the duo performed a simply beautiful version of “Play Crack the Sky.” It was very peaceful ending for a very energetic show. The only person lacking energy was Jesse, but it can’t be overlooked that his vocals sounded perfect.

Overall, the show turned out to be a good one. Crime in Stereo was a good band for being the first out of three, Glassjaw was absolutely phenomenal, and Brand New didn’t disappoint.



BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (BRAND NEW): Sink, Limousine, Sowing Season (Yeah), Jesus Christ, At the Bottom, Play Crack the Sky

BEST SONGS OF THE NIGHT (GLASSJAW): Tip Your Bartender, The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, Siberian Kiss

BRAND NEW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. Welcome To Bangkok
2. Sink
3. Degausser
4. You Won’t Know
5. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't
6. Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades
7. The Shower Scene
8. Limousine
9. Vices
10. Gasoline
11. Sowing Season (Yeah)
12. You Stole
13. In A Jar
14. Luca
15. The Archer's Bows Have Broken
16. Jesus Christ
17. Bought A Bride
18. At The Bottom
19. Play Crack The Sky
GLASSJAW’S SETLIST November 15, 2009
1. (You Think You're) John Fucking Lennon
2. Tip Your Bartender
3. Mu Empire
4. Ape Dos Mil
5. The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports
6. Pink Roses
7. Jesus Glue
8. Two Tabs of Mescaline
9. Siberian Kiss