Jimmy Eat World: 02 Academy, Bristol, 14th November 2010
If Jimmy Eat World know one thing, it's how to infuse a song with the loveable personality of its members. Tonight the band are on flawless form and keep the hits coming thick and fast. Sure, they aren't a band you can really lose your shit to, but for powerful singalongs and crowd-unifying choruses, there's no band better.
Opener 'Bleed American' gets the blood pumping, before new tracks 'My Best Theory' and 'Coffee and Cigarettes' make it clear that JEW can still write a catchy hook or two even after fifteen years. Both old and new, classic and obscure is represented here, and it shows just how good their previous releases are that the band can play back-to-back favourites for nearly two hours.
Jimmy wheels out the heavy hitters halfway through the set in the form of 'Futures,' 'Big Casino' and '23' to keep the crowd jumping, before dropping the tone for 'Movielike,' 'Hear You Me' and 'Work.' It is a journey through their career and their evolving sound, and it is awesome. Main-set ender 'Goodbye Sky Harbour' is the highlight of the evening, and an unexpected treat for the hardcore fan base.
The commercial hits come out for the encore, with 'Get It Faster,' 'The Middle' and a truly triumphant 'Sweetness' ending the evening on a stellar high. They may not attract as much attention as other more mainstream bands, but this has not stopped JEW from quietly carving a career of pure emo-rock gold, built on a foundation of great songs and great shows. Go see them.
5/5
