The Menzingers Rented World 10th Anniversary – Underworld

“I’ve got to say, there’s a guy yelling out song titles while we’re playing the record, in sequential order”. The tenth year anniversary of Rented World has seen The Menzingers playing the record in full in just two locations, their hometown of Philadelphia and London, in recognition of the album launch has been in London (albeit at The Old Blue Last) – this time it’s two nights at Camden’s certified sweatbox, The Underworld.

First up we’ve got two opening acts – I just caught the last couple of songs from Toodles & The Hectic Pity, a trio consisting of acoustic guitar, bass and drums, playing something between folk and emo. It’s interesting, it’s got a lot of heart to it and I find myself wishing my train had come in a bit earlier. Up next is Chewie who might possibly be the most perfect fit for the evening – so much so that large parts of the audience are already screaming every lyric back at them. Hailing from Dublin this four-piece just gives off the impression that they’re enjoying every minute of this evening, from sharing a stage with a band they’ve played with before in Ireland to the phenomenal crowd response. Standouts include Fuck Team Sports and An Emigrant’s Wake, delivered with brilliant vocal harmonies (crowd included) – a band I’ll be checking out further!

Menzingers

No surprises for the main Menzingers set, they’ve got a tracklisting to stick to. Starting with I Don’t Want To Be An Asshole Anymore the energy in the room suddenly ramps even higher, voices get louder, a cathartic mass singalong starts. It’s nice to hear a bit of background to the tracks between songs, I particularly enjoyed learning that some of the songs were conceived in the same room during a European tour back in 2013, and how being back on that stage performing them took them back to that place in time. It’s great to hear some of these songs performed that don’t usually get an outing like Sentimental Physics and When You Died. The highlight of the set for me was Nothing Feels Good Anymore, the energy in the room was incredible and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of the track.

Album anniversary shows can be hit or miss, but when you have a record that’s consistently strong throughout – as is the case with Rented World – you can end up with a night like tonight: a night where the audience is nearly as much a part of the experience as the band, where everyone is sucked into the feeling of each song and responds accordingly. Usually by screaming each line back at the top of their lungs. You can’t beat a night like that!

Artists: Chewie, The Menzingers, Toodles & The Hectic Pity