Brand New, Kevin Devine @ TheTivoli, Brisbane (27/03/2010)

Thu 1st Apr, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Tattoos, skinny jeans and sheer anticipation were the strict dress code for the Brisbane leg of Brand New ‘s short but oh so sweet Australian tour. The Tivoli was quick to fill, as excited punters fought for prime vantage points to catch the boys from Long Island showing off old favourites and new gems. They were not disappointed.

Kicking off proceedings tonight was New York’s Kevin Devine who, as per his reputation, turned out to be quite the performer and an inspired choice as a support act. Mainly drawing from his most recent releases Brother’s Blood and Put Your Ghost To Rest, Devine captured the crowd’s attention early before completely winning them over with a cover of Nirvana’s School at the set’s midpoint.

After introducing band mates Joe Cannetti, Ben Hamola and Brand New’s Vinnie Accardi, he upped the energy with crowd favourite I Could Be With Anyone before dedicating a song to a crowd member who claimed he spent the day having sex. With his light blue shirt turned dark and a stream sweat pouring off his face, Kevin Devine concluded his set with recent release Brother’s Blood. Walking off stage with a slight wave and a smile, Devine has both won over many new fans and left the crowd in the perfect mood for tonight’s main performance. A perfect support slot.

After a short interval and some crowd chanting, Long Island’s finest take to the stage and immediately kick things off with the booming drums and distinctive riff of Sink. Sticking to new album Daisy, Brand New kept the energy going with heavier tracks Vices, Gasoline and Bought A Bride before the first highlight of the night Sowing Season, complete with vocal support from the crowd and the first of numerous crowd surfers sailing over the front barrier.

After some brief banter from frontman Jesse Lacey about the long flight to Australia, Brand New continued with Deja Entendu hits Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t and Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades and sent the crowd into a frenzy with early hit Jude Law And A Semester Abroad. Yet another crowd surfer being thrown into the arms of waiting rent-a-cops drew a rare smile from Lacey during Seventy Times 7. Live favourite You Won’t Know began in the dark and with the instant energy and lighting brought the raw emotion that Brand New live shows are famous for. Quickly followed by Degausser and recent hit At The Bottom, the set reached its finale with slow paced ballad Play Crack The Sky.

Although banter and interaction were lacking and for the most part the band remained in the shadows, everyone in attendance tonight has witnessed one of 2010’s best shows. A pool at the floor of The Tivoli and a throng of happy, sweat soaked fans outside the venue is testament to the energy and emotion that Brand New bring to their live performances. Leaving the Valley with echoes of “I’m Not Your Lover. I’m Not Your Friend! YEAH!” and “I just want to believe, I just want to believe…in us” was the perfect ending to the best concert I’ve been to in a long time and with it a hope that we don’t have to wait long for Brand New’s return to our shores.