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Jimmy Eat World
Dec. 1, 2007
House of Blues
Orlando, FL
By Sylvana Fernandez
There are good shows and there are great shows, and then there’s one of the most miraculous shows like, Jimmy Eat World and Silverchair, who played together at House of Blues Orlando on Dec. 1, 2007.
The concert, hosted by O-Rock, a popular local station, packed the House of Blues with eager fans. The sold-out show began with the extremely successful Australian rock band Silverchair, who has been around since 1994, and drew quite a few older people to the audience. I had never heard their songs before but I absolutely loved them by the end of their set. Singer Daniel Johns sparked audience participation and kept things interesting with his stage antics: He jumped on top of speakers, played an electric guitar behind his neck and sang while lying down on the keyboard, kicking his feet up in the air. Eventually he took off his shirt, revealing a nipple piercing and a toned physique, much to the enjoyment of the female half of the audience. The energy they gave off while playing both older hits and new songs off their Young Modern CD - most notably “Straight Lines” - was the perfect way to start the night.
The gorgeous, patterned curtains of House of Blues closed and hundreds of Jimmy Eat World fans shifted around the small venue, trying to secure a better spot. Expectations were high: 2007 marked the 15th year of the Jimmy’s existence and a three-year hiatus since their last album. In the months before the release of their new material, many wondered if Jimmy still “had it”.
Once Jim Adkins and company came onstage for “Big Casino,” the first single from October 2007’s Chase this Light, it became obvious that they would certainly surpass expectations. Appearing in the middle of multiple rays of white light, Adkins voice rang out clear and sweet, Zach Lind’s drums were nice and loud, Tom Linton and Mitch Porter began to play their guitars and the audience went crazy. What followed was an amazing performance.
A Jimmy show gives a lot of bang for your buck; I doubt anyone walked out that night without having heard their personal favorite song played live. Little was said between numbers, they just went from one well-executed song to the next, almost without stopping in between. They played a combination of songs from all six of their albums: “Get it Faster,” “Pain,” “23,” “Blister,” “Let it happen,” “Futures,” “Sweetness,” “Nelson’s Song” and many more. As if the music alone was not enough, there’s an incredible connection between the band and audience—everyone knew every single line by heart. The universal appeal of Jimmy’s lyrics about love, optimism and disappointment is most evident when you’re in a huge crowd and look around to realize that you’re not the only one who feels like hearing these songs is similar to becoming reacquainted with an old friend who just gets you. The enthusiasm felt was contagious and the moment nothing short of magical.
The show concluded with one of their most upbeat and famous songs, “The Middle”. The only complaint from a dazzled audience was that the show had not lasted longer. Clearly Jimmy Eat World still “has it” after all.
Are you a fan of Jimmy Eat World? Tell us about it at: outloud@outloud.com..