Jack's Mannequin, Head Automatica, Theaudition - Washington, DC 9:30 Club - 2.25.07

[disillusion386]

Date: February 25, 2007
Venue: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

This is going to be a short one 'cause I have a huge exam to study for. But yeah, I got to the show during We Are the Fury's last song. They sounded pretty good and I wished I got there earlier. Anyway, here are the setlists:

TheAudition:
You've Made Us Conscious
Dance Hall Turns to Ghost Towns
It's Too Late
Warm Me Up (new song)
Smoke and Mirrors
Approach the Bench
Don't Be So Hard

These guys were great live. The audience should have been more into it especially with the energetic live show of theaudition. Then again, I was probably one of the only few who knew their songs. Don't Be So Hard was soooo awesome!!

Head Automatica:
I Like Your Mom (Bouncing Souls cover)
At the Speed of a Yellow Bullet
Dance Party Plus
Graduation Day
new song
Laughing at You
Nowhere Fast
Curious
Lying Through Your Teeth
new song
Beating Heart Baby
The Razor
I Shot William H. Macy

I was a little disappointed with HA even if they did cover a song by bouncing souls. First of all, Daryl sang a few of the songs as if they were Glassjaw songs. Seriously, he should not scream during yellow bullet. It takes away a lot from the song. Beating heart baby wasn't that great either. Although I was thrilled when they played curious! The two new songs were okay. Overall, I was not impressed.

Jack's Mannequin:
Holiday From Real
I'm Ready
Kill the Messenger
Mixed Tape
Miss Delaney
Last Straw
Rescued
Dark Blue
She Paints Me Blue (SoCo)
All I Have to Do is Dream (Everly Brothers cover)
Heroine (Punk Rock Princess)
Bruised
Into the Airwaves
West Coast Winter (La La Lie)
Message in a Bottle (Police cover)
MFEO/You Can Breathe

I usually don't get blown away, but I have to admit that Jack's blew me away tonight. I'm not going to lie, his performance tonight was the best I've ever seen. I never expected it to be that good, but it was. Out of all the shows I have ever been, Andrew's performance was the best, and that's saying a lot (like really, it's saying a lot). The police cover was amazing, and he even pulled off a sting moment! Oh and stick around for the whole show because you wouldn't want to miss any second of MFEO/You can breathe. I didn't read any of the other show reviews, but you're in for a treat during that song.

Recommended!! Even if you don't like Jack's Mannequin, you should still see it!

PS. Someone already gave away the confetti at the end of MFEO, but oh well. And yeah, if you do go to one of these shows, watch out for all those teeny boppers.

[falloutboy.]

good review. i didnt like HA either in colorado, but loved the audition and jacks

[WordzandDreamz]

I can't believe people are ripping on Head Automatica and showing so much love for The Audition. The Audition is one of the most boring bands I have seen in recent history. Add to that a singer that insults the audience and constantly tells them to, "keep their eyes on him." Are you serious? Either way, Jack's did own. Another great show from a stellar band.

[disillusion386]

I can't believe people are ripping on Head Automatica and showing so much love for The Audition. The Audition is one of the most boring bands I have seen in recent history. Add to that a singer that insults the audience and constantly tells them to, "keep their eyes on him." Are you serious? Either way, Jack's did own. Another great show from a stellar band.

I have no argument with that. I said that the audition were good live and had an energetic show, but you're right about the singer. He was definitely full of himself and really annoying. I'm not going to take back what I said about HA. I was expecting more. Plus, I'm not comparing the two bands. My opinion of the audition's live show has no bearing on how i felt about HA.

[keck]

I was at last night's (2/26) 9:30 club show and just let me reiterate how absolutely amazing JM was. It's rare that when I go to a concert I have my expectations met, let along exceeded. This was my first time seeing Andrew McMahon in a small venue setting and I was just amazed with his ability to build an instant rapport with the crowd. Last night was pretty much a similiar set list to the night before, but there was also a slow version of 21 and Invincible (!!), and a Tom Petty cover.

My only complaint was the crowd. I feel like a lot of teenybopper types who were there were mostly there for the audition and HA (at least the ones I talked to were). The opening bands are SUCH a different feel from JM - I was third row, but I had to deal with two hours of being hardcore jostled to keep my spot. Maybe I'm too old school, or maybe it's been too long since I've been to a club venue, but I've always believed in show ettiquette - if someone gets pushed and falls, help 'em up. If you push up ahead and get called out for it, step back - don't cuss the person out, ESPECIALLY if you're way younger than they are. If JM hadn't been so amazing, that would have put a major damper on the night for me.