Show Review

Okay, so I only came to this show to see Brand New, debatably one of my favorite bands these days. I was blown away by the few times I've seen them in the past, and couldn't pass up another opportunity to see them. Nonetheless, I am somewhat into Mxpx and a few of the new Dashboard Confessional songs are interesting, so I figured this might be a good show. Well, sadly, I figured wrong.

We arrived a few minutes late, due to the lines that were outside (the show started suprisingly early, at 6:30). We missed the entire Vendetta Red set, to my disappointment. We missed "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" which also was a huge disappointment, but I was happy to see some other favorite new songs off Deja Entendu, such as "I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light," "Me Vs. Maradona Vs. Elvis" and of course "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows." They played a couple old favorites too, I bet you can guess (Jude Law and Seventy Times Seven was the closer). I was once again impressed with their musical genius, but felt they were playing in the wrong setting. Playing in a huge venue in front of 10 year old Dashboard fans who don't get their sound might not have been the best for them. But, regardless of how little fun I had trying to push my way through the seamless pit, Brand New put on a great performance, and didn't sacrifice even the slightest bit of quality. Their set was incredibly short, too, which really took away from their potential, but for what they put out, it was awesome. I'd say, see these guys on a headlining tour, because they deserve to headline, not open for some cheese pop.

Mxpx took the stage, playing a scattered mix between their many albums. They didn't play too much new stuff, but I recognized "Play It Loud" and "that song from the Pepsi commercial." They tried hard to put on a good show and I think the fact that I really don't think they are that talented of a band, but are rather a very experienced band, amounted to half appreciation and half dislike. I think the kids were really enjoying it, but to be brutually honest (and attempt to avoid ignorance) I'll just say I have completely and totally grown out of their style.

We didn't even bother staying for Dashboard. I wanted to, to be honest, because I was curious how the band sounded on some of the new songs, but from what I saw, he was putting on his usual sing-a-long extra charismatic performance.

The show was just too packed and lost all its intimacy, and I hate to say the unthinkable, but I actually can now say I went to a show where Brand New (one of my favorite bands) played and I didn't have fun. Not due to the band, but due to the crowd's lack of enthusiasm for what I consider an amazing band. I'd simply recommend seeing Brand New when they headline later this year with Hot Rod Circuit, because then you will truly be in an intimate situation.

review by Andrew Martin