My
second gig in 2 nights – both with Rachel in tow, I’m happy to report! – saw us
blasting down a soggy M4 for an evening with Jimmy Eat World, perennial
favourites of both of ours, evidenced not only by this being the 11th
time I’d seen them overall (and 5th at this venue), but also by the
fact that this was also a late add-on to my Autumn Dance Card, but, like last
night’s host Frank Turner, another complete “no doubter”! The Arizonian
powerpop/ melodic emo veterans had announced a tour in support of new album,
“Integrity Blues”, their 9th and in recent keeping, a slow burner
but a grower, relying on emotional depth and melody rather than upbeat power
riffery to make an impact, so we’d again booked tix early. I loves the
pre-sale, me…!
Our
blast down to Bristol saw a reasonable arrival time, but we then had a
frustrating 20 minutes driving up and down a packed out Trenchard Street car
park (thanks to sold-out events at the Hippodrome and Colston Hall, as well as
this one) before finding a parking spot. So we hit the venue just before
openers The Amazons were due on at 8, and wormed our way down to our usual
stage left floor spot to catch their set. From up the road in Reading, they
played some traditional straight-ahead post grunge laze rock recalling very
early Teenage Fanclub, with decent two part pseudo choral harmonies also a
feature. An old fashioned, tried and trusted formula, maybe, but it works, so
don’t knock it! Third number “What’s Your Secret” was a melodic and hooky
delight, and the lead track to a forthcoming EP featured a creepy opening,
giving way to a pounding bass heavy rhythm and a dead-stop pregnant pause – I
like those! “We’ve played the Thekla, The Louisiana, we’ve done the Bristol
ladder! It’s great to be playing at the biggest place in town,” gushed vocalist
Matt, and the grungy, riff-heavy finale concluded a strong support set which
indicated aspirations to play this venue in their own right might not be that
far-fetched. I’d certainly check them out again…
The
floor then became uncomfortably crowded, proper old-school rammed, providing a
stark contrast between tonight and last night’s gigs, sell outs both – we found
decent pockets of space with room to at least swing a small rodent last night,
but here, simply putting hands in pockets was a considerable task… Luckily
Jimmy Eat World didn’t prolong our wait, coming on promptly at 9 to no intro,
and easing into a toughened-up version of dark, introspective newie “Get
Right”. An incendiary “Bleed American” followed up, all seething power and
strident chorus, although the usually brilliantly dramatic middle 8 featured a
couple of odd- or bum-sounding notes. Early doors, though, the band were
rocking, up to a chugging, angular “Big Casino”, after which the boys finally
paused for breath and Jim Adkins announced, “it’s good to be back!”
The
ballad “Hear You Me”, the backlit strobe accentuating its’ poignant emotional
effect, was a stark, acoustically delivered early set highlight, but thereafter
the set drifted for me for a chunk of its’ mid-section, a messy but smoothly
melodic “Coffee And Cigarettes” and an understated but groovy “Lucky Denver
Mint” notwithstanding. This had capped a 3-song vignette of older, “Clarity”
material which seemed poorly chosen and garnered scant reaction from the
otherwise enthusiastic sell-out crowd, and too many of the new numbers
meandered in a mid-paced manner, lacking either emotional gravitas or powerful,
strident impact. As if acknowledging this, Adkins finally hollered, “God Damn!”
before a furious, angry riff-fest heralded a blistering “A Praise Chorus”,
easily the best number tonight and just the thing to revitalise the set.
“We’ve
been playing in some super hot spots lately; this feels relaxing compared to
some of those places,” announced Adkins, “[but] this is like the ultimate
party; as a musician this is what it’s all about!” This comment received a huge
ovation, just the impetus for a strong finish to the set. A yearning “23” was
excellent, “Work” was a titanic singalong, Adkins going off-mic to conduct the
crowd, and a breathless, jagged “Pain” concluded a variable set; strong start,
saggy middle, superb finish.
The
boys took a lengthy bow after excellent encores of a joyful, playful “The
Middle” and an excellently tumbling “Sweetness”, and we left for a sodden drive
home with Jim Adkins’ fulsome praise ringing in our ears, and an unexpected
set-list in my happy clutches. Seen them better, for sure, but any Jimmy Eat
World gig – especially if “A Praise Chorus” is in the set – is a good night
out!
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