It’s a Monday night. A school night. Doors to The Hi-Fi won’t open until 7.30pm, and yet, like a rite of passage, the black shirted punk fans are sitting diligently outside the venue more than an hour early awaiting the triple threat — Jimmy Eat World, Panic At The Disco and Alkaline Trio — that Soundwave has organised for tonight’s Sidewave show-stopper.
Between these three stalwarts of the stage are more accolades and records than their fans could ever imagine for themselves. And yet, despite their level playing field in the talent stakes, the order of the line-up is right on the money. Panic! At The Disco and Alkaline Trio band-tees are speckled throughout the crowd, but it’s Jimmy Eat World (JEW) that has brought the young and the old, the rebellious and the nostalgic, to this dance floor.
Alkaline TrioBarely has the near endlessly-snaking line made it past the bouncers when, like clockwork, Alk3 takes the stage at 8pm. Theirs is a loud bashing beginning, opening with 'Time To Waste' and pumping it out so loud you can hardly hear Matt Skiba’s vox for the drum and electrics reverberating off the walls. A 50-minute set on the clock keeps this one tight - the band picking off no more than highlights from its extensive back catalogue including, to this reviewer’s pleasure, the epic 'Sadie' and sadistic 'This Could Be Love'. What can I say? This girl’s a fan.
Alkaline TrioThe crowd surges forward for Panic! at 9.10pm. The exuberance of the crowd is stifling as the dapper young gentlemen bring their brand of dance pop to the show. 'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' wins them over on the second, lead vocalist Brendon Urie flicking his hair as he works the keys and the crowd.
Panic! At The DiscoI’m still not quite sure whether it’s the heat of the spotlight or the heat of the girls ovulating in unison that makes him sweat the shirt off his back (think of the other two poor souls on stage who managed to keep their long-sleeved black costumes in-tact), but one thing’s for certain, it’s this ovulation that causes an iPhone photo-taking phenomenon that was in hindsight giddily hilarious. Of note, bassist Dallon Weekes also plays on his own form of tongue wagging, licking picks onto his tongue like a musical viper.
Panic! At The DiscoNow there’s something about JEW that implores one to dance. The moment they hit the stage is the moment they begin their set. It’s like the running of the bulls; once they start, there’s no stopping them until they hit a brick wall. Or an encore-break. Whichever comes first. Good thing JEW’s not inclined to work the stage much.
Jimmy Eat WorldIn true JEW style, on-stage chit-chat is minimal, but dedication and appreciation is locked on “max”. 'Big Casino', 'Hear You Me', 'Futures', 'Polaris', 'Bleed American'; it’s all there. And no one’s leaving until the end of the encore, which alone speaks volumes of why JEW is the act we’re all here to witness. 'Chase This Light' soars to the balconies where punters lean over the railings and whip up their arms. 23 slows the crowd to a hush and sparks an iPhone video-recording phenomenon that in hindsight, was not a phenomenon, but pure admiration.
Jimmy Eat WorldAnd the final track before the wave goodnight? Could it be anything else but 'The Middle'?
Time to dance, kids.
