GIG: Jack's Mannequin - Knust, Hamburg, 8th March

I've been to many big gigs. 'Big', pertaining to arenas, stadiums, large theatres, the like. I'm used to U2, Muse and Foo Fighters, so the word 'intimate' doesn't normally come into my vocabulary when writing about concerts. The truth is, I've never really been to a smaller gig that was as electrifying and connecting as one of these stadia events. That connection comes in a different package tonight, however: the difference here is that I can actually strike up a conversation with the singer inbetween songs.

Knust feels like a pub gig. There's the bar on your right, then immediately in front is the stage. It doesn't matter that everyone around you is speaking German; they're all generally nice people. Much friendlier than an English crowd by a long shot. There is no support band, so when the lights go down it finally hits you: Jack's Mannequin, fronted by Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon, have never played Europe before this tour. Hamburg is only their second date, so emotions are understandably running high at the prospect of finally experiencing tracks from 'Everything In Transit' and the latest record 'The Glass Passenger'. Grinning from the start, Andrew and the band inaugurate proceedings with the latter's opener, Crashin', tying into the head-noddingly good Spinning. They have a perfect sound; Bobby Anderson's guitar twinkles and screams, Johnathon Sullivan's basslines are clear, full; and the drums of Jay McMillan take the back seat, but forever providing the right momentum and power that the songs require.

So, from now on in, it's a night to remember (a cliché McMahon would probably dislike). The majority of the set borrows from 'The Glass Passenger', notably a rousing The Resolution and American Love, but there are plenty from the first album. Renditions of Holiday From Real, Dark Blue and The Mixed Tape are stupendous: little nuances such as a piano and vocal intro instead of the full band really draw you in, and it's with Kill The Messenger it hits its high point. The song's downcast refrain 'send a little rain' takes on a more epic potency with an extended outro, complete with crashing piano, rumbling drums and bass, and screeching guitar lines.
Despite all the fantastic musicianship, the show really lifts off the ground so far because of Andrew's refreshing take on the role of the frontman. Always bantering with the crowd, his smile's genuine: he really does want to be here. He throws paper aeroplanes over the crowd, trying to reach the mixing desk; he swigs some jagermaister after we egg him on; he reponds to anything one of us yells. The real deal here is that he's obviously learnt that letting go while playing live is damn important. For example, during I'm Ready's chorus, he grabs his second mic and swings around almost violently while standing, anchored to his piano by his right hand. Later on, he stamps on it, jumps off it, and does many other things which are probably too controversial for me to write about.

'Welcome to the encore, the biggest piece of bullshit in rock n' roll'. Thankyou Andrew. Caves, 'The Glass Passenger''s closing track, brings it all down a notch, and you can feel the atmosphere around you relax and transform into something wholly more satisfying. Up next we have a well-received Something Corporate cover, Me And The Moon. I don't know the words. Oops. Good thing I make up for it by singing my heart out for La La Lie then. A great piece of harmonica rock-pop, it ends the show on a high note. I feel like a better person after this gig.

So, roughly four years of fan's anticipation all pent up. Was it worth it? If you were disappointed by Andrew and co's performance, you have no happiness inside you. Fact. The only actual let-downs are the non-inclusion of Suicide Blonde, Miss Delaney and M.F.E.O., and 'Dr. J' Sullivan's occasional appearance of not being all that interested. But that is more than made up for by Anderson's outstanding vocal harmonies and thoughtful fretwork.
Jack's Mannequin's next date, at London's KCLSU, was sold out. Tickets, ebay and outside the venue, were going for some pretty hefty prices, and all to see this little band who should be massive by rights. So in that case, I'm going to enjoy them as much as I can while they're at this stage, especially when they visit the UK again in the summer. People may say 'but it's no Foo Fighters show'. I'll come straight back with 'and a Foo Fighters show is no Jack's Mannequin show'.
Big or small, it just doesn't compare.

Overall - 9 / 10