Jimmy Eat World @ Birmingham Academy, 21st November 2010

Arriving at the gig just before 9 I was shocked to see just how many people were already inside. This is the first gig I have been to in the new Academy that has been sold out both standing and sitting and the atmosphere was already electric.

Before I even had chance to take my coat off Jimmy Eat World appeared on the stage and the crowd went absolutely wild. Kicking straight into a classic ‘Bleed American’ the audience starts jumping around and singing along, I can already tell this is going to be a great night. Next up was another classic also from the Bleed American album ‘A Praise Chorus’ which is one of my all time favourite’s and it made me feel great to hear everyone singing along to it. Leading straight onto their next song it was a song, ‘My Best Theory’ from their new album ‘Invented’ which prior to the gig I hadn’t had chance to listen to. Although this song was okay it didn’t really match up to previous album’s, which was a bit disappointing, but maybe it’ll grow on me when I hear it more. After this tune they played another new song ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’, which was a step backwards lyrically, however this music was catchy so at least it could be forgiven this once.

After a brief word from Jim ‘Wow, there’s a lot of you!’ they got straight into ‘Let it happen’ from the album ‘Chase This Light’ which they released prior to invented. This is my favorite song from this album and was pleased to hear it made the cut.

During the next 15 minutes other songs were played such as, ‘Heaven’, ‘Futures’, ‘Big Casino’ and ‘Action needs an AUD’, which everyone enjoyed jumping around to. By this point in the gig everyone was hot and sweaty and I could see the good vibrations off everyone from Jimmy’s so far awesome set list. It was about to get even better when next the played ‘Pain’ a great track to jump around to and many people used their phones and cameras to record this one.

Next up was the lovely track ‘23’ from the album ‘Futures.’ an unexpected song as they have rarely played this song live, reason being its a mellow tune. Nobody in the audience seemed to mind as it gave all time to catch their breath and seemed to set the mood for the next song. ‘Evidence’ from the new album, which was very old school Jimmy style with the soft verses and the guitars kicking into overdrive for the chorus. After this they played another classic ‘Your New Anesthetic’ which takes me back to seeing them many years ago and yet again I was pleased to see everyone else knowing the words and singing along.

After this song my voice was beginning to go from singing so much so I knew I was having a good time and turning to a friend she could only but whisper so it seemed the problem was mutual! Chilling out to the next new song ‘Movie Like’ I was wondering if they were about to play a few new songs so I could have a rest but no such luck. Straight after this came my all time favourite every Jimmy eat world song ‘Hear You Me’ which the crowd went wild for and it brought many emotions back to me as I felt it did to quite a few of the crowd and it was a very special tune. After this tune I was on an all time high and danced like a maniac to the magnificent ‘Work’ and ‘Blister’ which reminds me of when they toured with Green Day. For their final tune before their encore they played ‘Sky Harbor’ which was a shock to most of the crowd I believe, as not very often they play this due to it being 8 minutes long! This used to be my track for falling asleep to due to its soothing rhythms so although I was very impressed my brain was telling me to sleep!

Leaving the stage the crowd immediately started the chant’ ‘Jimmy, Jimmy’ with only a few of the audience moving and boy did they obey to the chants. They came back on to do another 4 songs including ‘Invented’ which was yet another long song and then another favourite of mine ‘Get it Faster’ which takes me back to 2002 and listening to that exact song on the way to a ‘Bowling for Soup’ gig. Oh youth!

The final two songs were a given really as they were two of their best known songs, ‘The Middle’ and ending with ‘Sweetness’ where the pit went insane and all you could see were arms flying, bodies jumping and everyone singing, some rather out of tune may I add! With that they said ‘Goodnight’ and the lights came on.

The chatter I hear as I’m leaving helps confirms my thoughts on the gig. Absolutely amazing. If you go to see one band before you die see these! Top notch. 10 out of 10.

Reviewer – Shaz Rafferty
Photographer – Steve Gerrard

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