Brand New @ Wembley Arena 23/01/2010

They don’t make line ups like they used to, arena shows are sometimes difference and this was a case in point. Brand New headlining a line up which included the mighty Glassjaw and Thrice.

I hadn’t originally been all that fussed about going, I caught Brand New at Reading where the fog rolling across the stage and the light wind blowing guitarist Vincent Accardi’s hair around created an appropriate atmosphere for Brand New’s extended melodic songs.

I rarely see support bands these days but I turned up early for tonight’s line up, Thrice were up first and pint in hand they were good, a couple of songs from “The Artist in the Ambulance” including the title track made for a good set. They seemed comfortable in the large setting but ended with a whiney number which I think was a mistake, they could have shaken the timbers with something a little harder. Sticks in the memory better that way.

Next up and hugely anticipated by some of the audience was Glassjaw. Daryl came on stage and took off his jacket and proceeded to jump around and scream for all his Crohn’s worth. Glassjaw are an amazing unit and for me their music remains vital, we are approaching eight years since “Worship and Tribute” and the follow up is almost too late the wait and hype has gotten to a point where anything they produce might disappoint.
Beyond that it was great to see them again. The band all play in a line at the front of the stage with the drummer side on to the audience. Justin Beck is an amazing guitarist and while many of his contemporaries would probably through themselves around playing Glassjaw’s chugging riffs he simple stands on the spot and bops and sways to the rhythm in full control. A sweet set includes "Tip Your Bartender" and "Siberian Kiss". There's some footage from Saturday on youtube with snippets (heavily distorted sound) of "El Mark", "Ape Dos Mil" and "Siberian Kiss".

Finally the main act appeared, Brand New played a great set pulling songs from all four albums, with smiles all round for the songs from “Your Favorite Weapon” to the glum glee for “The Devil Ad God Are Raging Inside Me”. Its the 2006 lbum that is my favourite, from the slow intro of “Sowing Season (Yeah)” to the plaintiff “Degausser” and the buzz of the “The Archer's Bows Are Broken". New album “Daisy” also got an airing and blended in well. Its nice to see a band whose sound has changed so much over the course of their eight years still have a place for their songs across their set. There was no great stage events, no pyro, just simple lighting and a good set. I thought the crowd was a little subdued, many who were sitting remained in their seats, there was no pit, just happy fans having their “must play” lists all ticked off. again there's a bunch of footage on youtube, none of it particularly good, but worth a look if you're curious.

Mc Solaar @ The Jazz Cafe 08/01/2010

I went on a hunch, I saw it advertised in the e-flyer and thought that could be good and for £15 it was hard not to get a couple of tickets. I didn't know that much of his stuff but having been to a French school I know of his influence.

On the night I was reminded of my dislike of the Jazz Cafe, the venue is fine, its layout, one of its principal features is what irks me. You walk in and have to snake through and around a crowded bar area. Don't bother thinking about checking your coat or bag as the small cramped stairs which also lead to the toilets, through a succession of tunnels.
My other beef with the venue is that whenever I have been it has taken a while for the crowd to get going, I don't know if its the people I have seen or just the night's audience. The fact a portion of the audience are sat upstairs eating doesn't make for too raucous a crowd.

The show itself is pretty minimal and stripped back, just Solaar, a DJ, two MCs though one seems to be more of a hype man and a backing singer, the very French Linda.
The set is a mix of songs from his seven albums and includes, Solaar Pleure, Victime de la Mode and Qui Seme Le Vent Recolte Le Tempo for which the MCs try to get the audience to shout out the "tempo" during the chorus, something it takes the crowd a while to do.

I had hoped to hear La Vie Est Belle from 2003's Mach 6 album. This was his first London gig in 5 years and didn't seem sell out until the day. It definitely feels packed inside and the intimate venue helps create an atmosphere to go with the buzz of seeing such an artist up close. MC Solaar is old enough and experienced enough to not be all bravado and posturing on stage, someone could have told the hype man who poses in his sunglasses and throws in the odd line. Solaar himself takes the pose of a crooner, one hand holding the mic the other holding the mic stand. Linda adds something needed in a female voice and acting out some of the songs.

For someone who has been around as long as Solaar it is a surprise he hasn't picked up more English, the large French contingent allows him to get away with only talking to the crowd in French but it does alienate the non-francophones. Early on he tells the English in the audience to ask the French for translations of his quips, saying it in French means they don't understand and so address to the select few continues.

A seasoned performer he is but his set isn't as long as it could be for someone with seven studio albums, and his encore is well received but still leaves the crowd wanting more. A good gig all round though, a good end to the week and start to the weekend.