Jimmy Eat World, London Camden Underworld
I arrived half an hour late at the Astoria and the queue was still longer than I’d seen before. After a long time waiting, I enter a packed Astoria an hour and a half late with still no band in sight.
THE APARTMENT take the stage. They are some kind of an NME lovechild at best. Playing a sort of Killers/Hot Hot Heat mix of indie pop. None of which seemed to work, it was extremely boring, and dragged on. As much as the vocalist did to stir the crowd, they seemed to be having none of it. They milled about chopping through songs that didn’t really seem to make too much sense and the singer would occasionally sing in tune. Saying that, The Apartment are totally inoffensive, but at the same time just so utterly boring and such an awful choice of support. (3/10)
JIMMY EAT WORLD appear from the left hand side of the stage at about a quarter past nine to a moderate cheer (I’ve heard louder) and bust straight into 'Futures'. It’s powerful and beautiful, and all done so fucking well. JEW played a wonderful mix of old and new, everything from 'Clarity' through to 'Futures', a set that was pretty similar to their Islington Academy show at the end of last year. My personal favourites being 'For Me This Is Heaven', 'Blister', 'Table For Glasses' and hands down the best song of the night 'No Sensitivity'. It’s quite clear that, in general, the crowd are here tonight for post-Bleed America. I found it a little disheartening to hear the very modest cheers for the older songs and then hear them erupt to 'Pain' or 'Futures' – but perhaps that’s just my elitist self. JEW seem to be able to carry off every song tonight be it brand new, or five years old. The fantastic mix of new and old only goes to show what a solid band they are with a constant stream of talent.
Jimmy Eat World leave the stage for the last time at just before half past ten, a little under an hour and a half later. Throughout the night JEW amaze me with their presence and delivery of almost every song. To me, they embody everything a good band is. They play with passion, and well, and tight. Tonight was fantastic, it made me appreciate Jimmy Eat World all over again, not only as a band for producing fantastic records that have played as the soundtrack to my teenage years, but also as this incredible live band who ooze enthusiasm and play with amazing passion. (9/10)
Ross Brown
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