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Brand New
| November 14th, 2009 @ Electric Factory |
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by Courtney Campbell
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So after not seeing Brand New for quite a few years I caught their set at Voodoo Experience and was reminded about why I loved them so much. I just had to see them again. That alone proved to be an experience in itself but with help from a few people, off I went to Philadelphia to catch night one of a two night sold-out stand at the Electric Factory.
A sold out club, this is where Brand New is totally in their element. While the direct support of Thrice was a good mix as far as the fans went, Thrice's set was lacking in something. As one waiting for Brand New to come onstage, you could feel the change in the crowd and knew that this was really who this sold out crowd came to see. The set kicked off with the instrumental "Welcome To Bangkok" which I have to say that I'm glad that the security personnel it the barricade didn't know the songs because technically we were in the barricade shooting for four songs instead of our usual three! (shhh! I'm not telling)
The set moved through the career of this band and while it had its highs and lows (drummer Brian Lane putting his foot through the bass drum) the set flowed. In comparing this to their performance at Voodoo, here frontman Jesse Lacey was comfortable, not as introverted. Gone was the ski cap which seriously at Voodoo seemed more of a way for him to hide. He fiddled with it as well as fiddled with his festival bracelet. There were also little smiles and comments that were made during the set at the Electric Factory. He was definitely more open.
He gave a shout out to those from Long Island who knew the guys in the band before they were ever in a band and it was that group of guys that were bouncing around me during the two songs of the set that were from the band's debut studio album Your Favorite Weapon . These two songs "Jude Law and the Semester Abroad" and "Seventy Times 7" were definitely crowd favorites.
The rest of the set was a mix of their albums with seven songs coming from their recently released album Daisy. As a photographer I pay attention to details and lighting and I do need to remark on the lack of lighting for much of the set. Dim lighting does give atmosphere but that can also be created with lighting where you don't to struggle to see the band on stage. The night ended with Jesse alone on stage for the beginning of "Play Crack the Sky" tuning his guitar. After a bit of trouble tuning it he commented on how he should be able to do this after 20 years of playing guitar. The vulnerable Jesse Lacey was back. He was joined on stage by guitarist Vin Accardi for the song partway through and then the show was over.
This show was amazing. Would have loved to have been back for night number two but wasn't possible and all the others within driving distance are sold out! Definitly have to be there next tour!
In the week since this show, I've been doing a lot of thinking about this show and thinking of the comparisons others have made. The thing I love about the songs of Brand New is definitely the lyrics. I love how they twist and turn; how some come off very tongue in cheek and contradict themselves. There is definitely a story being told if one just knows how to listen.
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