“ ‘Fun’? …the BAND?! No, I can’t say I’ve heard of them….” I entered the Sound Academy last Friday with virtually no expectations for the opening act. Assuming that the rest of the crowd was just as clued-out as I was, I was slightly taken aback to see the six members of ‘fun’ come bouncing across centre stage to the applause of a roaring, enthusiastic crowd.

Originally a trio led by Nate Reuss (formally of The Format), three other musicians joined ‘fun’ to fill the stage with colourful cardigans, loafers, facial hair, and semi-formal attire. Looking very hipster chic, the band supported a definite image behind the music. Either way, I can’t deny they had a sound.  Nate Reuss, who happened to be celebrating his birthday, worked the crowd with ‘indie-pop’ anthems that had everyone in the audience, including me, clapping their hands and shouting along.

Would I download ‘fun’ onto my Ipod? Probably not, the theatrical pop isn’t exactly my style; still, I’d gladly see them again in concert. Every one of the six musicians is truly passionate about their music, and that enthusiasm really shone through in their stage performance.

But, we’re all here for Jack’s Mannequin, and when the roadies bring a baby grand piano on stage, the crowd begins to get restless. The giddy screaming begins when the outline of Andrew McMahon becomes visible from backstage; it’s obvious the crowd can no longer contain themselves. Suddenly, the band rushes the floor, and the entire venue explodes into wild applause at an ear-splitting level.

Jack’s Mannequin start the night off with a couple of hits from ‘Everything in Transit’ (2005) then go on to play hits from ‘The Glass Passenger’ (2008). Every song is as much of a crowd favourite as the last, and when Andrew McMahon’s gorgeous voice sang the lyrics to ‘Hammers and Strings’, I swear I felt the weight of 10 000 teenage girls’ hearts melt into one.

It’s the kind of music you want to dance to and sing along to. Everything about their performance was flawlessly executed. McMahon definitely had his game locked tight on this one. He never missed a beat, if he wasn’t at his piano he kept the crowd entertained by leaning into the audience, walking the stage, and even leaping up onto the keys of his piano. After every number of songs the band would take a quick breather for Andrew to chat up the audience and update all of us Canadians on our latest Olympic hockey scores. Well, Andrew McMahon, you’ve won us over.

At about 10 o’clock everyone in the Sound Academy was sharing sweat. Jumping up and down in unison with our hands raised in the air, you almost forgot this was a ‘pop rock’ performance. Sure, when you listen loosely to the lyrics in the latest album you might initially think they’re just another ballad of love loss, but ‘The Glass Passenger’ actually addresses Andrew’s recovery from illness. Back in 2005, Andrew McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia; thankfully, he’s made a full recovery. With this knowledge, it’s easy to understand some of the deeper meaning to his lyrics. ‘Caves’ for instance: “We’re not gonna lie son, you just might die, get you on that morphine drip.” This easily raises my respect for the band, and with such honesty behind absolutely stellar music, the credibility behind Jack’s Mannequin simply can’t be tainted. I walked out of this concert ultimately energized and satisfied, grinning from ear-to-ear and practically skipping out of the venue to catch my taxi.

Check out our photos of this event here: http://www.damagedpress.com/featured/2010/02/photos-fun-and-jacks-mannequin/