Photos: Modest Mouse and Brand New Tag-Team The Forum

Modest Mouse at the Forum

Filling the fabulous Forum last night were fans from all walks of life. The only thing remotely in common with everyone in the room was a love for Modest Mouse and / or Brand New.

Once the stage was decorated with fresh and vibrant flower arrangements, Brand New their made way to the stage. “We’re Modest Mouse,” said Brand New lead singer Jesse Lacey. The crowd, thrilled to relish in nostalgia, screamed in excitement and laughs at Lacey’s playful entrance.

Brand New’s music is definitely a sort of craze for a huge stretch of listeners. Their set carried on and proved sharp and true to their style of rock. Fans were just so dispersed all throughout the venue. I’d peak out into the nosebleeds and catch heads hung low in unison slowly bobbing up and down to the memorable emo crescendos, while down on the floor, fans bounced to heavy power-pop riffs.

While the room was thick with joy and excitement, there was also some sadness. Brand New had confirmed that they plan to break up sometime in 2018; but before they called it quits, they gave fans a most memorable concert experience.

Directly following Brand New, was the one-and-only Modest Mouse. Holy cow, these friends shut the night down! Filling our ears with easily recognizable tracks as well as new and quirky hits off their 2015 release Strangers To Ourselves, Modest Mouse were incredible. This group sure doesn’t act like strangers. They made the Forum their playground. It was so awesome to see the interaction between lead singer, Isaac Brock and the 17,000 capacity venue. He is a character that’s for sure. Brock blasted out some gnarly guitar chops that are well-beloved.

All across Modest Mouse you have talented musicians. From percussion to strings to horns, Modest Mouse covers it all. Watching an ensemble of bandmates who are friends is so great, especially when they produce a high caliber of music that makes you feel so damn good. The vibing all across the board was remarkable. After about two hours of music, Modest Mouse sent fans home with smiles plastered across their faces. Epic performance.

Words & Photography: Danielle Gornbein