This past summer, Brand New - the ever-popular five-piece rock outfit from Long Island - played a small-club U.S. tour, which consisted of nine sold-out shows.
The band performed at The Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, N.Y. on July 11 for one of the "larger" shows on the mini-tour.
Opening act Robbers, an indie/alternative band from Long Island, was fronted by Andrew Accardi, the younger brother of Brand New guitarist Vin Accardi. With their haunting bass riffs and persistent chants, Robbers set the mood for the evening.
As Brand New took the stage soon afterward, the crowd erupted into a mass of applause and screams. Opening with the classic "Okay I Believe You but My Tommy Gun Don't" off of 2003's Deja Entendu, Jesse Lacey and company played selections from all three of their albums, including three songs from their newest album, Daisy, which was released on Sept. 22.
Brand New also played "Flying at Tree Level," an old song that was never officially released on any of their records, much to the surprise and contentment of longtime fans. Perhaps the highlight of the night, though, was the set's finale: "Soco Amaretto Lime." The audience sang along as Lacey sang about "staying 18 forever."
The band actually seemed happy to be playing that night - something that fans haven't seen for quite some time in their live shows. Lacey spoke with the audience between songs, while Accardi actually launched himself into it during the high-energy breakdown of "You Won't Know."
The night defined what the band has gradually developed into; although they don't do much press and are generally shy when it comes to interacting with their extremely dedicated - and sometimes borderline obsessive - fans, Brand New puts on one hell of a live show.