Sing It Back: New Found Glory + Jimmy Eat World + The Offspring Jam Out At Target Center
The middle of August in Minnesota can be a bit of a whirlwind. Harvest time is coming, MN State Fair is ready to pop off, back-to-school on the horizon. Lots of squishing in as many seasonal themed or outdoor activities due to the looming anticipation of autumn’s return. So a late-summer Friday night in Minneapolis will most definitely be a bustling time, was ready for a lively evening as I made my way downtown. Somehow avoiding the mini-rainstorm, got to Modist Brewing for a beer before heading to Target Center. My typical $1 an hour spot had sadly mutated into $5 an hour due to the Twins game. Better than a $30-60 garage, I guess.
Opener for the night started at 7:00pm on the dot with Florida-founded punk boys New Found Glory. Not gonna lie, I’ve only listened to a few of their songs. Though being unfamiliar with their catalog before this performance, their short but zippy half hour on stage was delightful. Going to add them into a few workout playlists. A true indicator of a good time ahead should have been the stuffed Animal carefully attached to the drum kit (love all the Muppets, but he is a true prince.) New Found Glory was alive on stage. All of their members were covering the space with energy, engaging with the amorous front row warriors screaming along to their songs with vigor. Though I saw a lot of The Offspring merch adorning the crowd, felt like the audience was plugged for the full show. Can be a touch awkward if the opener has a bunch of wet noodles just waiting for the next band to come on, not the case with New Found Glory. High marks all around.
Crowd was decently full for the MIDDLE band, Jimmy Eat World. Did you catch what I did there? Cause one of their songs is called The Middle? Yeah. Wordsmith.
Now this is a band’s catalog that riddled many middle school mixed CDs, including a few of mine. Can vividly remember trying to be cool with my gal pal at the time, summer after 8th grade on her friend’s basement bedroom futon bed. Now, this was a guy’s house. Being freshly 14, was just taking the lead from my more seasoned friend that brought me. Her and the guy were somewhat canoodling at the time, so I embraced my third wheel afternoon. This poorly kept townhouse has everything a young teen needed for a core memory punk music listening experience: Blacklights from Spencer’s, a gross but friendly fat dog, feeling out of place. Completing our 2001 vibe with cliche oversized boombox that was cranking out those hot jams from the brand new album “Bleed American,” which had recently come out late July. Their signature sound is the punk rock pop potion I’d hoped would be still channeled heartily. As witnessed at Target Center Friday night, mission accomplished.
Jimmy Eat World got the crowd in the right mindset immediately, and opened up their set with a banger, “Pain.” Not too much for stage lights or visuals throughout the show, but not every band needs oodles of pyro (though it is appreciated by me, fire = good.) After a few songs from the front of house area to snap some photos, went up to my seat and took in the venue. For being a slightly older big venue in the Twin Cities, almost everywhere in the upper levels has great sound. Some reverb happened in-between songs when the lead singer chit chatted, but when the music came on, music sounded fab. Props out to the soundboard. They did a great job. Jimmy played a dozen songs (ending with “The Middle” of course) and honestly no notes for song choice. Pacing was perf and got everyone in the right mood and groove.
With the latest jumbotron drama lighting up the internet, was loving the pre-show crowd work that was going on before The Offspring started. Going from the classic “kiss cam” to a could-be-scandalous “booty cam,” people were having a blast playing it up for the video crew. Then it mutated into the “f*ck you” cam, giggles turned into cheers and belly laughs. A swirling sea of sweaty middle fingers. The overly sarcastic sugary sweet announcer adding in Kool-Aid man type “OH YEAHHHH” exclamations was choice. After every new participant adorned the monster screen with their addition to the jovial revelry, the narrations increased in the level volume and dry humor. Spot of for The Offspring, great way to start the show. Countdown began with more showmanship, a guy in a gorilla costume escorted two upper-level seated fans to the front after winning an upgrade contest. Great when bands do little things like that.
The Offspring started the show with a recognizable bop, “Come Out And Play.” Not the biggest jolt of energy from them off the bat, but they cooked up after a few more songs. Last time I saw them live was back at Taste of Minnesota in 2010, so was ready to see how they would change over such a long chunk of time. Bigger show pizazz at Target Center, obviously. After a few songs, two giant skeletons were inflated to flank each side of the stage. And yes, of course they had smoke machines hooked up so sick ass smoke would come out of their spooky jaws. Cherry on top was some sparkly pyrotechnics, first red, then huge plumes of white gold. Watched the rest of the show from up in the seats, creeping on the floor. Few circle pits started, but unlike the metal variety, had more collaborative dancing and circle stepping than moshing. These California boys can still rock, Dexter sounds great. Their set was 23 songs long. 23. Which left their fans satiated and full of great new memories. So happy to have finally seen them in a large venue finally, and can’t wait to see them again.
