After missing Jimmy Eat World several times on past UK tours I finally managed to attain tickets to see them. With the band literally being around for my entire life I couldn't shake the growing excitement as we inched closer to Brixton Academy. Managing to go my whole gig-going life without having been to this venue I quickly declared it as my favourite after realising the floor is sloped. Being a total midget I've spent half my life moaning about this, so having a perfect view of the stage no matter where I was stood was a miracle to say the least.
Support band Rival Schools seemed a popular support choice judging by the crowd's genuine applause but it was when the headliners took to the stage with 'I Will Steal You Back' that things really began to heat up. It wasn't an explosive start but it gave everyone a chance to get a feel for what was to take place and let me tell you now it turned out truly epic. 'Big Casino' and 'My Best Theory' garnered a livelier reaction likely due to it's fiercer beat but it seemed Bleed American tracks were the ones to turn the entire room into dancing lunatics starting with 'A Praise Chorus' which saw everyone from barrier to the back bar jumping around like there's no tomorrow. The well structured set list saw several grown men all out sobbing to acoustic beauty 'Hear You Me' followed on with 'Book Of Love.'
The night really was an emotional roller coaster going between hard edged tracks with dodgy dance moves like 'Futures' and 'Let It Happen' to the more heart felt 'Polaris' with intricate guitars that filled the dome oozing atmosphere with the hazy lighting. After the mayhem 'Blister' induced, 'Always Be' was a welcome breather before the cruelty that was playing 'Authority Song' 'Sweetness' and 'Bleed American' in quick fire succession with no chance to gasp for much needed air. The volume the crowd belted the words back was deafening and the 'whoa-oas' of 'Sweetness' made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end - this crowd was definitely listening.
With two slower songs for the encore - 'Chase This Light' and '23' - the majority of the crowd had recovered from the previous mosh pit madness and were once again trying to hold back tears as relatable lyrics galore was upon us. There really was no other cure to this other than 'The Middle' which is undeniably one of the best songs ever. No arguments allowed. Insanity ensued, voices were lost and sobs of pure joy were released as one of the best nights of our lives came to a phenomenal ending.
Jimmy Eat World offered a night to remember with a set list to please everyone in that room. Newer songs were met with enthusiasm that was only overshadowed by older tracks as they've had time to become legendary, but judging by the crowd's reaction to 'Damage' 'No, Never' and the likes, in five years time they'll be just as spectacular to witness. Frontman Jim Adkins told the crowd "It's always special playing Brixton Academy and tonight is the best yet" to which I'd more than agree. There was a rare atmosphere in the venue and a mutual feeling that we were all witnessing something magical.
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