They're not young upstart openers looking to cultivate a new fanbase, they're a longtime band looking to capitalize on some popularity/buzz. They're getting 15 songs as the opener, that's not really typical, and as @ComedownMachine said for anyone who isn't familiar with them already only knows The Middle and maybe Sweetness so they're all new songs to them. I just think they've been relatively inactive for quite a while now, save for a few one-off singles, and I think as the tour is going, if they have something coming out soon and are planning to launch a new single, playing it at these shows would make sense. It may get them some new fans, it may not, but it would definitely get coverage and generate buzz. And I'm not saying they play it now and then wait a few weeks or months to drop it, more like they play it one night and are like that's our new song it'll be available to stream everywhere tomorrow/this week. Sort of a soft launch. Anyway, we're arguing about nothing, it's just a dumb scenario I thought of instead of working today.
What are some of you going on about? A band like Jimmy Eat World will play whatever new shit they want, whenever they want to play it. They aren’t calculating and wringing their hands over set lists at this stage in their career. The fact that they’re opening for anybody is wild, and I don’t understand how a band like that debuting a new song live, regardless of if they’re opening or headlining, is suddenly somehow unthinkable?
IIRC the last time they played a new song live before it was released was You With Me (?) and the reaction here was pretty lukewarm so Zach got on here and said they remember why they don't do that lol
I saw Walk the Moon open for Panic and it was one of the first times they played Shut Up and Dance, perhaps a good omen
If Jimmy Eat World plays a new, unreleased song for the first time ever during this arena tour as an opener, I will give all 99k members of this website one penny.
@Jason Tate do you recall when the Maine went on? My wife, sister in law and I just got tickets to the show tonight in Sacramento and definitely want to see all 3 bands. Your liner notes definitely inspired me to snag tickets. I was hesitant cuz I’m seeing Kevin Devine tomorrow and Militarie gun/pool kids Tuesday. 3 shows in 3 nights is tough for this old Dog lol
It’s 2024 and The Middle and Sweetness still have zero RIAA certs. Almost as big a crime against this band as “Here it Goes” not being equally huge.
Jimmy Eat World’s devoting “nonperformance time” to next album – 105.7 The Point New album next year most likely!
stoked! i listened to something loud a bunch and debts once i think and i forgot about both already, thanks for reminding me article!