Brand New Concert Review

Arriving 3 hours early was not nearly enough Tuesday night as the line for the Subterranean wrapped along North Ave. to Milwaukee, then down Damen.  The venue’s 375 person capacity all seemed to have arrived earlier for what assured to be a special night.  With many unable to get tickets, die-hard fans walked down the line prior to doors opening making their offers. “$100? $125? $150???” a girl asked, willing to spend any amount of money to see her favorite band in an incredible venue.

“Not tonight hunny, not this show,” the guy in front of me said.  Everyone knew something special was going to happen.  Brand New, capable of selling out large sized theaters, opted to play a few club shows in select cities.  Tickets were hard to come by and only a lucky few were able to attend.

As people filled into the Sub-T they staked their spot as close to the stage as possible.  What’s another 2 hours stuck in an uncomfortable position when we’ve been waiting years for this concert?  Chicago was the first date on Brand New’s mini tour, their first US tour in months.

The band came out about 8PM all wearing white t’s, something in today’s image-driven industry you don’t see anymore.  Surprisingly they opened with “Shower Scene,” the opening track of their 2001 debut album, ”Your Favorite Weapon.” The crowd pushed and pulled, and never stood still from now until the band walked off the stage.  They followed with 2 more fan favorites “Quiet Things” and “Tommy Gun.”  Every fan sang every word and created an atmosphere I haven’t experienced at a concert in years.  Brand New ripped through their set, old songs and new songs, with comical banter and stories in between, as usual.

Set List:
Shower Scene
The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t
Jaws Theme Swimming
Sowing Season (Yeah)
Archers
Jesus Christ
Mix Tape
70 x 7
Jude Law And A Semester Abroad
Bride (New)
Gasoline (New)
Degausser
You Won’t Know
Sic Transit Gloria
Soco Amaretto Lime

Along with playing new songs they announced their new CD would be out in September.  I was in shock that they played 5 songs from Your Favorite Weapon, an album they rairly feature live.  Sing-alongs “Mix Tape” and “Soco Amaretto Lime” were the highlight for me.  It felt like show’s I went to 5 years ago, where everyone is there to have fun and you all feel like friends.  A great night.