Following their breakup in 2017 after allegations of sexual abuse and solicitation of explicit photographs from a minor, the popular alternative-emo rock band Brand New has announced plans to reunite and perform a handful of shows in the coming weeks. Brand New’s official website has revealed there are shows slated for Dallas, Texas, Newport, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee at the end of March. While this technically isn’t the first instance of the band getting back together, as they performed a private friends and family only reunion show back in December 2024, these are the first public reunion shows the band has announced since disbanding in 2017, after sexual misconduct allegations were brought up against lead vocalist Jesse Lacey.
What Happened With Brand New In 2017?
Despite 2017 being the year that Brand New disbanded, it was one of the most successful years in the band’s entire career – the band had surprise released their first LP in over eight years Science Fiction, and with it they managed to land their first No.1 charting album in the U.S. Billboard Top 200. Not only was Science Fiction the band’s first No.1 charting album, but it was the first independent release to top Billboard’s Top 200 since Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ in 2016.
Following the release of Science Fiction, Brand New embarked on a U.S. fall tour and had dates planned for the UK and Ireland in November. However, during the band’s U.S. run, frontman Jesse Lacey had addressed the crowd at a show and stated, “We’re gonna be a band for about 14 more months, so thank you so much for being here tonight.” In a few weeks following Lacey’s statement, Pitchfork had published accounts from two women alleging that Lacey had committed sexual abuse and solicitation of explicit photographs from a minor. Both women in the article went into detail about their interactions and history with Lacey, and how they were 15 and 16 years old when they first met him.
Jesse Lacey’s Response and Brand New’s Disbanding
Following the allegations and the detailed accounts written in the Pitchfork article, Lacey posted a blanket statement addressing the very serious accusations.
“I was selfish, narcissistic, and insensitive in my past, and there are a number of people who have had to shoulder the burden of my failures. I apologize for the hurt I have caused, and hope to be able to take the correct actions to earn forgiveness and trust,” Lacey wrote. “I am sorry for how I have hurt people, mistreated them, lied, and cheated. I am sorry for ignoring the way in which my position, status, and power as a member of a band affected the way people viewed me or their approach to their interactions with me. And I am sorry for how often I have not afforded women the respect, support, or honesty that they deserved.”
Brand New went on to postpone their then upcoming UK and Ireland shows, and outside of Lacey’s statement the band did not post any statement of their own at the time.
Brand New’s 2025 Reunion
As previously mentioned, Brand New has announced three upcoming reunion dates slated for March 26th, 28th, and 29th. Outside of these shows the band hasn’t announced any other plans or dates for the rest of the year. However, back in December 2024, Brand New performed a private reunion show in Nashville which had a strict no-phones or video policy. The original lineup for the band which consists of Jesse Lacey, guitarist Vincent Accardi, drummer Brian Lane and bassist Garrett Tierney were all present at the performance. According to the setlist posted on setlist.fm, Brand New’s set consisted of covers, material off Science Fiction, and a new ‘unknown’ track.
Even more recently, on January 31st, 2025, Jesse Lacey performed a solo acoustic benefit show in Los Angeles, with proceeds going towards the California Fire Foundation.
Bottom Line
All things considered, whatever Brand New has planned for their 2025 shows and beyond, it’ll likely be more than a few celebratory reunion shows. The last few months have already seen the most public performances from the band and Lacey since they disbanded in 2017. However, the ultimate factor in determining the scale of Brand New’s reunion will be the reaction from the fans. So far fans of Brand New haven’t taken the reunion news lightly, with some expressing their excitement for the band’s return while others are being heavily critical of their decision to reunite.
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