Jimmy Eat World, O2 Academy Birmingham - review

In support of their brand new album Integrity Blues, American rock band Jimmy Eat World brought their captivating live show to Birmingham's O2 Academy.

Lone support band The Amazons took to the stage brimming with confidence, a bold move for a young band ahead of a more mature crowd, but they cemented the reason for this with a solid and rousing set.

If The Amazons had been around ten years ago, you would have definitely had a collection of their singles on your Myspace page - their music encapsulated the raw edge of indie-emo hybrid bands, with experimental blues-rock bridges and intervals of growling vocals that constantly made the audience question which direction they would go.

The Amazons made an otherwise stationary crowd bob their heads and roar with appreciation - certainly a feat to be recognized.

Replica street lights ignited the stage, the audience bellowed and Arizona rock band Jimmy Eat World bowled into Get Right, Bleed American, I Will Steal You Back and Big Casino without even taking a breath.

Despite being a tour in celebration of their new album, Jimmy Eat World treated fans to a varied and eclectic set, sporting songs from across their career. From poppy, brand new singles such as Sure and Certain, and You and Me, to angst-ridden classics Hear You Me, Pain and I Will Steal You Back - the set was pitch perfect with each song sounding like it was ripped straight from the recording itself, with added energy from the blistering reaction of the crowd.

Speaking of the crowd, apart from the stunning live presence of Jimmy Eat World, it is the crowd's presence that really made the show. The nostalgia factor was rife around the room, with the crowd constantly interacting with the band, one even asking to play bass on The Middle leading to a hilarious story of one mishap involving Green Day, a fan, and a broken 10,000 dollar guitar - woops!

The show ends on an all-time high with smash hits The Middle, Sure and Certain and Sweetness - ramping up the ante with wailing, heart felt vocals, crushing guitars, beating drums and a tidal wave of bodies from the crowd letting their love for Jimmy Eat World flow forth.

A true show of raw, enduring talent - The Amazons and Jimmy Eat World pulled all the stops to ensure their live performances were their best yet, and they certainly succeeded.

By Becci Stanley