Brand New - September 18, 2013 (Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY)
People have been asking about it, and it’s been two and a half years(!!!) since I’ve seen them, so here’s a little about the BN show.
Upstate Concert Hall is a strange venue. First off, it’s in a strip mall, with a church on one side and a tattoo parlor, MMA gym, and Ocean State Job Lot on the other. It seemed pretty big once we got inside but once it filled up (capacity: 1,300) it didn’t seem so big anymore. The stage is in the back left corner of the room, and there’s a bar that leaves some of the people who show up late with their view of the stage at least partially blocked by the bar. My girlfriend and I got there an hour before doors and were easily able to get pretty close to the stage.
The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die opened the show at 7:20 with a good but short set. They only played 5 songs, 4 of which were from their great new record, Whenever, If Ever. I would have loved for them to play a few more songs, especially considering what happened next.
TWIABP finished and loaded off the stage, and by 8:20 the stage appeared ready for Brand New. (I noticed Ben Homola on stage helping to set the drums up, and noticed a smaller kit near Brian’s, and my assumption was correct: he joined the band for some songs. It ruled. Also, Derrick was not there.) The crowd was growing restless, chanting the band’s name repeatedly. Then there was a “ONE MORE SONG!” chant, which was confusing, followed by a “FUCK THIS SHIT!” chant. Brand New finally took the stage at 9:30. However, despite the long wait, they still played their entire set.
As they’ve been doing on this mini-tour, the first half of the set was Deja Entendu, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013. I think "Tautou" is their best opener, and it’s been awhile since it’s been played, so right from the start it was great. The second half was all TDAGARIM and Daisy plus “70x7” to end the night. I can’t remember the last time that song ended one of their sets, but it’s just so much better as a closer than anywhere else on the setlist.
There were no new songs, and no mention of the possibility of more music on the horizon. (That’s the one question everyone asks after every one of their shows, so there’s the answer.) The band is not usually chatty, and were even quieter than usual between songs. Once during the first half, Jesse thanked everyone for coming and for “being patient with us.” I’m not sure if that’s a reference to their ever-slowing tour schedule or the fact that we’d waited so long for them to come onstage. I don’t believe he said anything else until right before the final song, when he said (paraphrased): “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for coming out and being such beautiful people, and for supporting us as long as you have. See you next time. There will be a next time.” I look forward to the next time(s), which will make 35 shows for me, but it still makes me stupidly happy to see them play. Here’s hoping the next round of shows is soon, closer to home (for me, and for you, wherever you live, humble Tumblr reader), and comes attached to some new music.
Setlist:
Deja Entendu
Noro
Vices
Gasoline
Luca
Degausser
You Won’t Know
Bought a Bride
Sink
Jesus Christ
Seventy Times 7
blakekathryn
ellievsbear
kianamaiart
