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LOS ANGELES, CA-
“… I missed opening act Ra Ra Riot due to traffic (LA to OC- #traffuck) but I heard they were great. Luckily I made it right in time for my favourite Arizonian emo sweethearts. The stage set up was probably one of the biggest I’ve seen for them in all my years attending their shows, yet it was still very simple and straightforward. There were four huge industrial looking fans on the back wall, surrounded by LEDs and illuminated above them a huge “JIMMY EAT WORLD.” The industrial aesthetic was pleasing and seemed to suit the tone of the band perfectly. The boys took the stage, plugged their guitars in and got right down to business, opening with the hard-hitting banger Pain from 2004’s Futures album. The crowd immediately began rocking out. Lead singer Jim Adkins is so full of energy when he plays, it’s impossible not to follow suit. The rest of the band (guitarist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, drummer Zach Lind and touring guitarist/keys RobinVining) also tear it up and I’m always in awe of how tight they are every single time. They are definitely one of those bands that sound just like their records, maybe even better, live.
They continued to rock the crowd for the rest of their fourteen song set, mostly focusing on songs from their two biggest albums, 2001’s Bleed American and 2004’s Futures. Those two albums hold a special place in my heart and take me back to some of the best times of my life- going to see the band countless times in concert, driving on road trips with friends, singing along, trying to harmonize (I’m sure we killed it). In fact, if I had to pick a band’s music to be the soundtrack to my life, it would- hands down- be Jimmy Eat World. But although the formerly mentioned albums are a couple of my favourites, 1999’s Clarity is still my number one. If I could marry an album, I’d be birthing baby Claritys (hmmm future child name?). It’s such a good record from start to finish and arguably the best emo album of all time. Unfortunately when you are on a “co-headling” tour and only allotted an hour to play, sacrifices have to be made. The only song played from Clarity was the brilliant “Lucky Denver Mint.” The set kicked ass, so I’m not mad but damn I would’ve loved to hear a few more gems off that album. Come to think of it, Clarity’s 20th anniversary was this year. Wow! I remember attending the 10th year anniversary at Club Nokia (now the Novo) with my besties and almost crying tears of joy to hear it played in its entirety…so um gentlemen, can you do us die-hards a solid and make the 20-year tour happen before the year ends? If not, I’m cool with a 21st-anniversary show! (Wink, wink)
Much like the lack of songs off of Clarity, “Sure and Certain” was the only song played off their latest album, 2016’s Integrity Blues. Bummer. That album also ranks up there with one of their best in my opinion, though sadly, I don’t think it got enough recognition or airplay. Adkins announced that the band is currently working on a brand new album before introducing their latest song called “Love Never.” If the song is any indication of what to expect, the record is going to be awesome. The song fits right in with their catalogue of bangers, complete with the catchy melodic sound that Jimmy Eat World is signature for.
The crowd was totally enthralled with their set, proving that there may have been as many Jimmy fans in attendance as Third Eye. The enthusiastic audience shouted the lyrics to “Bleed American,” sang it back (woah oh oh oh oh) to “Sweetness,” held their tears back and phone lights up for “Hear You Me” and was dancing on their feet for the anthemic “Praise Chorus.”
Praise Chorus is always the song I lose it most on when the opening notes begin, and it almost seems like the perfect song to end an amazing set with…until the most obvious finale chords kick in. “The Middle” closed the set and had the entire venue up and singing along “It just takes some time, Little girl you’re in the middle of the ride, Everything, everything will be just fine. Everything, everything will be alright (alright) !” And that sentiment truly resonated at that moment- dancing along in the sunset to my favourite band with my best friends, reminiscing and reliving our youth- everything (Everything) was indeed alright!
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