Entrancing, exciting, enchanting, enigmatic are some of the ways to describe this show. And this is a proper show. Jack Antonoff and his band Bleachers are very much an act that you have to see live. This is demonstrated so well tonight as they are over here touring the, what I consider, an OK new album but live these new songs integrate so well into their core set seamlessly and are really brought to life.
Antonoff’s influences are worn truly on his sleeve with the obvious nods to Springsteen and latterly The Gaslight Anthem. It’s full of anthemic songs played with an extended band to rival the E Street with keys and sax high in the mix and for Bleachers a twin drum assault.
Whats clear is the pure enjoyment on the faces of the band and I get that some of this might be show biz shtick but their enthusiasm is infectious and it doesn’t take a lot to whip this expectant crowd into a frenzy. Every word is sung back, even on the new stuff, and the Forum floor act as backing singers throughout.
Antonoff himself prowls around the extensive set switching between keys and guitar effortlessly engaging with all of the other band members and he just has that unique stage presence that you just can’t keep your eyes off of.
With regard to the set, while you will never please everyone its neatly curated from across the back catalogue and the question is always where do you integrate the new songs into the dozen or so absolute bangers they have in their arsenal. As mentioned before the new ones sit well amongst the classics and don’t feel at all out of place.
There’s no point picking individual highlights outside of the usual suspects from the first two albums but the run of songs to end the show with ‘Stop making this hurt’, ‘I Wanna get better’ and ‘don’t take the money’ ensures that the crowd all leave with their thirst for a spectacular show satiated.
Rack this up as another live masterclass and only confirm them to be a must see whenever they come over.
Keep on New Jersey rockin’ y’all