Because I was at the library trying to learn how to be a better writer, I missed anything that happened before Brand New performed at the Uptown Theater last night. But four-and-a-half hours inside an overpacked theater with emo kids probably would have been too much, anyway. The room smelled like gym socks.
In the moments before Brand New played, a wave of impatience swept through the sweaty swarm on the floor, which viewed from the balcony, seemed to move as one big organism rather than a thousand young people about to undergo a cathartic rock experience.
Brand New kicked off promptly at 9:40 p.m., emerging against a blank backdrop that in color and texture reminded me of suede. Backlit, the band remained in the shadows, green lasers seemed shoot out from the disco ball above the stage and the bassline began for "You Won't Know." As singer Jesse Lacey picked up the lyrics, every voice in the room seemed to chant "hey, hey, hey" along with him.
Lacey stood stock still except for the strumming. Even his mouth barely seemed to move as he sang. His jaw just fell agape every so often to let out a scream. Sometimes he issued asylum screams; sometimes he just moaned with the tortured defeat of a broken man.
Brand New songs are dark. Even in the band's earliest, poppiest songs, hate, self-hate and failure are salient themes. The angst can be set to brash, angular guitars or the softest lullabies, Lacey barely whispering a melody. For especially intense songs last night, like "In a Jar," the band used two drummers. The fan favorites off 2006's The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me were well represented on the set list, and so were the songs off Daisy, Brand New's brand new album. The new single, "At the Bottom" (which I hope gets played at my funeral), came toward the end. Lacey sang about burying friends as the creepy fox from the album cover cavorted overhead.
At one point, my companion the Ginger Man pointed out that every crack in Lacey's voice matched the rawness of the recordings. Not two minutes later, Lacey addressed the crowd with an apology for not hitting all his notes, because he'd woken up sick. "If I pass out before the set's over, I promise to come back and make up a show," the stocking-capped musician croaked.
He made it through -- 18 songs, no encore. Considering how all right everything sounded and how much self-criticism tends to come through in Lacey's lyrics, that little moment seemed enlightening. I know nothing about the man, but I bet he's a perfectionist used to pushing his body to its limits.
That's life on the road, anyway, I guess. But it was nice of Lacey to put himself through hell for Kansas City last night.
Thanks to the fanboys by the soundboard for helping nab this setlist pic. (Sorry those older fanboys ganked it from you.)
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Oh i was so worried that they would only be playing the new songs. i have been a diehard brand new fan ever since the quiet things but the new album almost killed me... i cant pass up an oppurtunity to see my favorite band even if they have produced a few stinkers. I cant wait until Halloween night, Jessie will be mine!!!
Thanks, Tom. I was confused. That explains why in my notes I had that 16 songs were played. After I got the setlist, I guess I just thought I miscounted/misheard something.
i was up front during Manchester...then the crowed started showing and fights broke out during intermission before brand new. i saw 3 fights..ive never seen fights at uptown lol
I was sitting in the seats, house right. He was standing right in front of all the seating.
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