Photos and Review by Stephen Bloch
In the pantheon of rock and roll greats, clearly there are bands that almost universally make peoples’ lists (I’ll save you the time of reading my list and arguing who was left off and who shouldn’t be there). The more modern day greats certainly could include Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters in terms of scale and fan passion. While not as large in scale as those mentioned, My Morning Jacket (MMJ), hailing out of Louisville, KY has to be a part of this conversation. Their fans are rabid and very well-traveled, their sound is profound and dynamic, their production is face melting at times but can be soothing, and the energy they bring to the stage is palpable every time. No, they aren’t an arena-sized act that demands triple digit ticket prices, but that doesn’t diminish their appeal (they have sold out Red Rocks on three consecutive nights). My Morning Jacket has steadily added adoring fans since debut album, Tennessee Fire. They have been regulars at Bonnaroo since the very first year, notably playing 3+ hour late night sets to tens of thousands of people, most who are seen walking away in the wee hours of the morning with Sleestak eyes and mouths agape and can be heard mumbling “who is this band and when is my next show.”
Now on their 9th album, the self-titled My Morning Jacket, they continue to create varied music that draws from southern rock, psychedelic rock, soul, indie, and Americana. Their current lineup, consisting of Jim James, Carl Broemel, Patrick Hallahan, Bo Koster, and Tom Blankenship has been together since the release of Z in 2005.
On Wednesday night, Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater played host to MMJ for the 6th time since 2006. The show began with Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Wilderado. The band may not have been expecting a full venue for their 40 minute set, but that’s exactly what they got. Full is going to be part of a theme for this review. Full set, full auditory and visual experience, and most importantly, a full heart.
Full set: The 19 song, nearly 2 ½ half hour show contained songs from eight of the band’s nine albums, with nearly perfect balance.
Full sound: The show began with an epic “Steam Engine”, a song played less than ten other times as an opener in their 24 year career. A full on explosion of energy overtook the crowd with this unexpected surprise. “Master Plan” from It Still Moves came next. Full on Bo Koster jam on keys has been a serious part of this cut for some time. Everyone gets their turn to shine with this band and they all fully embrace each other’s talents, often facing each other with grins and amazement. This is on full display with Patrick Hallahan when he goes ballistic on the drum kit. As I’ve documented before, Jim, Carl, and Tom seem to be praying to the drum God when Patrick is lighting it up. It’s almost as if he’s on an altar. Everyone has their own set of highlights/faves at an MMJ show as they have attracted different fans at different parts of their career. Those around me agreed that “Lay Low”, “Evil Urges”, “Gideon”, and “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2” were all classics, with a wildly extended “Wordless Chorus” closing out the set in style. Throughout the set, hands were in the air and fans were singing and dancing like no one was watching. Bliss-filled faces were illuminated by the panoply of strobes and pulsing lights. The Riverside was a swirling array of incandescence.
The encore began with a stripped down acoustic “Bermuda Highway” followed by a full on onslaught of sonic goodness consisting of “Wasted” and “One Big Holiday” When the Flying V comes out at the end of a MMJ show, as it often does, you know you’re in for a treat.
Getting to spend the night with friends, fans, and my 19 year old daughter (her 4th MMJ show) makes my heart feel full. I know I’m not alone. Jim James and his bandmates seem to be genuinely having fun and truly appreciate the love they get from fans. They know who we are. They reach out physically and metaphorically. They fully embrace us as we do with them. Yes, MMJ and their fans have a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
