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Tonight, the rain is coming down heavily outside of Birmingham Academy's doors. It's lucky though, that we're currently inside, about to witness some of Canada's best.
Moneen literally jump onto stage, with front man Kenny Bridges leaping and bounding around as though he possesses an unlimited supply of energy. The songs sound huge and powerful, yet are still precise, and it's Bridges' unique voice that really fits it altogether. The openers are fun, but impressive to watch, sounding that much better than on record. Their energy is infectious and the songs are great, with their new material - especially a track named ‘Believe' - sounding hugely promising. However, it's the set closer, ‘The Passing of America' that really sets it off. Certainly a band to see again sometime soon.

From the dark, Kevin Devine appears centre stage, one solitary light shining upon him. He bursts into a raw rendition of 'Carnival', on simply his acoustic guitar. His voice is strong and sweet, drawing in the first few rows like moths to a flame; his music beautifully eloquent. Even from just this opener, he has people paying attention to him and the pure intensity of this track has quietened the majority of the audience. The lyrics almost hang in the air, and it's definitely the kind of performance that can cause tingles.

However, his usual acoustic routine is not on the cards this evening, as he is joined onstage by ‘The Goddamn Band', who accompany him in continuing into the wonderful ‘Cotton Crush'. As part of a band, Devine is allowed that much more room to explore different musical styles and sounds, allowing for some wonderfully grand moments in the set to open up, without neglecting the careful details he has refined as an acoustic artist. It's also apparent that this setup is more beneficial for a larger crowd, as he is able to showcase the wider scale of his talent to those unknowing amongst us. He even manages to throw in a Nirvana cover for good measure. Really, what more can you ask for? Highlights include his powerful version of ‘Another Bag of Bones', as well as the title track from his forthcoming UK release ‘Brother's Blood'. He is the perfect example of musical talent at it's best, and he creates the perfect introduction for the headlining band.

The lights go down one more time before Brand New erupt onto stage with ‘The Shower Scene'; opener from the band's first album ‘Your Favourite Weapon'. Already, the crowd's singing matches - and arguably eclipses - the volume of Jesse Lacey's microphone, with the hysteria merely increasing as the band launch into fan favourite ‘The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows'. I even catch a fleeting worried glance from a security guard at the front of the crowd as he looks to his colleagues in disbelief as the mainly male-populated front rows scream every lyric and propel themselves over the barrier. The band continue to play tracks from their back catalogue, including the stunning ‘The No Seatbelt Song', anthemic 'Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades' and 'Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't', before showcasing one of two new tracks 'Gasoline'. The song itself produces a break in the set, contrasting with the smooth songs of 'Deja Entendu', with it's gritty screamed vocals sounding almost desperate against a taunting melody. And, for the first time, the crowd don't know every word.

As the mass of bodies inside the Academy strive to cram themselves closer to the stage, the heat inside of the venue seems to increase even moreso, leaving people sweat-drenched, and as Lacey kindly puts it, looking a little like “cute sardines.” That's something about Brand New shows that never ceases to amaze me; the level of passion and dedication that these fans hold for such a band. Throughout all of tonight's set, the mainly older, mainly male crowd clamour and push to get that little bit closer to the band. I even hear one gentleman refer to Lacey as a god - something you wouldn't necessarily have guessed from his quiet, humble and slightly awkward stage presence. After an unexpected and primarily unknown acoustic cover of Archers of Loaf's 'Web in Front', the band head into their most recent offerings from their latest album 'The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me'.

The songs themselves sound epic and better than ever before, with highlights including the tremendous 'Sowing Season (Yeah)' and the melancholy 'Jesus Christ'. We are also treated to another new track named 'Bride', which only works to enhance our previous impressions of the band's next record. However, the ninety minute set inevitably draws to a close with a chilling rendition of 'You Won't Know' and as Lacey screams the last line into the microphone, guitarist Vinnie Accardi throws his guitar around his body like a madman. Watching the band pour their last amounts of energy into the song, the crowd feels the same, singing with hoarse voices just as loud as when the set began. And then, it goes dark.

After a few minutes of hysterical screams, and chants of an encore, the sole figure of Jesse Lacey steps centre stage with an acoustic guitar. So far this tour, the band have changed their encore in each city, and it appears that the same will happen tonight. It's with baited breath that the crowd wait to find out what will happen, until the unmistakable chords of 'Soco Amaretto Lime' ring through the eerily quiet room. It's within the next few minutes that the beauty of this band really shines, and even with just the front man present, it's almost magical to witness; a 3,000-strong crowd sing those timeless lyrics of, "you're just jealous, 'coz we're young and in love." And after tonight, it's easy to see why.

Images kindly donated by Sinead Grainger.