"One Big Holiday" in MEXICO!!

[JTG1975]

 

[spence]

The biggest set list surprise to me was that they did not play By My Car.  I thought scosby had more influence.   I saw a couple tweets and one even got a response...

[JTG1975]

Hi everyone. Been dealing with a power outage so wasn't able to respond (I know you were all eagerly awaiting).

In no way do I discount those that think that these were the three greatest shows of all time and I hope that tolerance is reciprocated. The point was made about crowd energy and I fully understand how- from a fan's perspective- the crows energy is not even capable of being replicated. That is from a FAN's perspective though. Nothing will change the fact that I think the BAND could have done more.

I agree with the whole Jim being swarmed thing- its really not worth debating the band's interaction with the crowd that paid about 3-4 million dollars to be there. I would like to think that Jim could have played Wayne Coyne's role in MCing something or judging a contest (or showing his face at the dance party) but I would not have posted anything if I only felt that Jim was mildly introverted.

My main thing and I am sticking to it is that if pearl Jam can do a 4 hour + shows and if Springsteen can do the same for like 40 nights straight at age 60 at Giants Stadium I would have thought this band could have finished off the 3 nights with a surprise full 3rd set or an extra hour of playing etc...

If I could do it all over again I would have gone knowing everything I know now but hopefully somebody from Cloud9 peruses these forums and to the same extent that they are probably leaning more and more with each event (for example I imagine that they will NEVER contract with an unfinished hotel in a 3rd world country after all of the anxiety (whether realized or unrealized))  so too they may read this healthy respectful conversation amongst friends and realize they may need to push their bands for a little more.

2.5 hour sets were perfect in that setting imo.

We aren't talking a one off show at The Garden or a run at Port Chester. We were partying and rocking a good 16 hours a day. I am an old man (not THAT old man, however). I might have had a heart attack if they threw down a 4 hour set.

2.5 hour sets were perfect.

[JTG1975]

Firstly, and I don't know where I heard this once but dontgetupset.

I am only referring to those things that can be gleaned from the videos available, written reports, and setlists.

The qualitative aspects of what I have critiqued are not targeted at what WAS played. It has to do with certain objective standards that those that see a lot of live music can all agree on. A 45 minute stand alone concert is a joke and unheard of. An 8 hour concert is unheard of (barring Phish 12/31/99). In this case they probably met expectations: about 21 songs in 2.5 hours. Again, in purely quantifiable terms I, when I still thought I might be going, thought they would blow people's minds with a Pearl Jam-esque 40 songs in 4+ hours show. Its fine that they blew people's minds with the energy but that that would happen was a given with this band- thats one of the reasons we like them so.

I stick to what I say. I expected something DARING and from what I see that didn't happen. Nevertheless, dontgetupset.

Firstly, I'm not upset, just highly annoyed with your assumption of what the Band gave. You weren't there so you don't know, you don't know how many times Carl scissor kicked like a madman while strumming the shit out of his guitar, you don't know how Jim reached out to the crowd and made piercing eye contact, you  didn't see Tom's mind being blown while Bob was on  stage,  you didn't see Pat play like you've never  seen him before, and you didn't  have  Bo treat you like an old friend  when you ran into him  going to the cheeseburger buffet late night. So please don't make assumptions about something you really don't know about. Oh and Pearl Jam and Phish could play 24 hour long shows and it still wouldn't be as good as a 2.5 hour Jacket show.

I missed this memo. FML!

[ajclements004]

Oh and Pearl Jam and Phish could play 24 hour long shows and it still wouldn't be as good as a 2.5 hour Jacket show.

YES!! Greatest comment I've seen on here!

[Fully]

I really didn't think this thread could get worse than it was before everyone left to go on the trip. I was wrong. 

[MOWJO8185]

I don't feel like anything in this thread (post-event) has been that bad, really. The criticisms have been delivered respectfully. There are a lot of fan bases that are way worse with criticizing shows, new albums, etc., of bands they love. That this place has been so positive for so long is a sign of the quality of fans here, as well as the level which MMJ performs at, which leaves little room to criticize. But I don't think it hurts to point out things we think could be done a little better.

And to the comments about 2.5 hour sets being better than 24 hour sets from other bands, or MMJ being way better than anything else out there so we shouldn't complain, I don't think it's wrong to hold my favorite band to a higher standard. They have set the bar extremely high by playing out of this world shows and releasing unbelievable music, and so when I go to a show and hear a new album, even if it's better than 95% of the stuff out there, I compare it to my experiences with THIS band, with the music that has moved me like nobody else's can, to the feel I got the first time I listened to one of their past albums.  As long as everyone stays respectful, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[LeanneP]

You know what? Not that I think people shouldn't criticise, but I was really happy with the shows. It was only shows 4, 5 and 6 for me, but the folks who I was with who had been to a few dozen shows over the years all felt that these were among the best shows the Jacket's ever performed.

Here are my list of what was so fantastic about the shows:

• The crowd was incredibly joyful. I'd say half to 3/4 of the crowd were some serious ass fans. That's a great atmosphere to see the band in. They ALL danced their butts off. THere weren't pockets of part-timers sitting around, arms folded, just watching. People were INTO it.
• There weren't more than 2000 people. When was the last time folks saw the band at such a small "venue"? It felt like a private show. And there was room to move. There was room to dance.
• The dance covers may be a bit done, but they were perfect for the setting. All Night Long was the perfect dance tune for a party in the Mayan Riviera under the stars. Hell, HOTBM fucking rocked!  It was lively and familiar and joyful.
• There were people in white jackets walking around with trays full of free beer. And they'd go fetch you margaritas and pina coladas when you asked. FOR FREE! Even on the rail.
• The sound was fantastic. I chose to hang just in front of the sound board and couldn't have been happier with what I heard.
• I got my first Tyrone! I saw a 20 minute Dondante. PWW! O is the One! Lay Low was extra sexy. I even got a banana!
• There were about 20/30 people who I've met on the forum and socialised with who, living in Canada, I don't get a chance to hang with barring expensive and long travel to US shows. Those were some of the nicest people I've ever met. There was no negativity at all. The experience of being in the midst of that atmosphere alone is unequaled by any other show I've ever gone to. There was a lot of happiness and love in the air and I really, honestly felt blessed down there. 
• I think night 1 was my favourite show. I was just so thrilled to be there. There was a frisson of excitement that ran through myself and the whole crowd. I danced like a maniac!
• Night 3 was like a crazy party.
• Carl was freaking out every night. Goddamn that guy is an awesome guitar player. He looked like he was having grande mal seizures every night. It was fantastic to watch. Patrick had a lot of fun, too. And they all had fun together. There were nuzzles between Carl and Jim and Jim teasing Tom with the giant peevish Tom head was fun to watch.

Sure, we ate some crap food, but there were also some stellar options. The folks who got stuck in the unfinished rooms had a hassle, but I'm pretty sure those problems were confined to 1 out of 9 buildings on the resort. There was evidence that finishing touches had been rushed, but paint splotches and messy grout work did not impede my ability to rock the fuck out or chill by the ocean and the pool.

It was a really beautiful setting and the days walking around surrounded by either ocean and smiles or birds and butterflies was really wonderful in the depths of a crazy winter.

Word is that it's going to be an annual thing, so we've already decided we'll be going again and bringing the kids this time. And I hope it's in exactly the same place.

[BigHerm]

One thing I have come to learn about MMJ fans over nearly a decade of seeing them...they don't seem to take kindly to even the smallest amounts of band critique.  I actually find this characteristic to be quite endearing!

I have found that the same people always always always complain about the setlist. Not quite as endearing.

[mahg33ta]

I think setlist analysis is fair game and I agree with your comments.

I agree that the setlists were really no more special than Port Chester or Wiltern.   Same basic songs, shuffled up in a different order.

In terms of shows, Show # 1 was good, Show # 2 was the best I've seen, Show #3 first half great, 2nd half fun but predictable.

I can separate setlist discussion from show evaluation in my head.   In total, the trip exceeded expectations.

[e_wind]

I stopped reading about 25 posts ago out of laziness.

But, I will say that I was there and agree completely with dontgetupset. It was the best vacation of my life, probably, but the expectations for the shows were Sky high, and they ended up being a little underwhelming. Maybe that's my own fault. Honestly both the shows at Red Rocks 2012 were better than any 3 of the shows at OBH. To me, that largely has to do with the predictability of the sets. I don't care about length, but song/cover choice seemed a bit regurgitated. That said, I'll go back whenever I can.

[vespachick]

Disagree. It's a forum/message board and people are entitled to their opinions. It's not always going to be roses, and perfume around here

Clearly, somebody must have forgotten to give me MY perfume and roses!!! 

[cderosa1185]

I had an amazing time with amazing people. Like many of you, I have been following MMJ since 2006 and every time I see them they put on an amazing show!
As far as people getting upset or expecting FaceTime with the band...If you were Jim James, wouldn't you want to spend as much time with a legend like Bob Weir as you could? Think about the conversations that those two were having? All the years of knowledge that Jim soaked up? It'll probably serve all of us well in the future.

my only gripe about OBH...I don't think I will ever drink DOS XX ever again!! hahah. Hard Rock needs a better beer selection!

[Non Sin Breaux]

They didnt have any craft beers? The strongest beer they had was DOS EQUIS? seriously?

[ericm]

Disagree. It's a forum/message board and people are entitled to their opinions. It's not always going to be roses, and perfume around here

Clearly, somebody must have forgotten to give me MY perfume and roses!!! 

Haha.    How'd that happen?  How about bourbon, and mint iced tea instead?  That I can make sure you get at the next show we rock.

[bartel]

Didn't see it posted.. Bootlegs are coming free to those who attended and for those who don't they can purchase them.. Awesome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Crayton09]

I stopped reading about 25 posts ago out of laziness.

But, I will say that I was there and agree completely with dontgetupset. It was the best vacation of my life, probably, but the expectations for the shows were Sky high, and they ended up being a little underwhelming. Maybe that's my own fault. Honestly both the shows at Red Rocks 2012 were better than any 3 of the shows at OBH. To me, that largely has to do with the predictability of the sets. I don't care about length, but song/cover choice seemed a bit regurgitated. That said, I'll go back whenever I can.

Could've sworn you said night 2 was the best Jacket show you'd ever been to on the Facebook group? Change your mind?

[mtngurl]

We had a fantastic time! Great people. Seeing so many old friends and making a ton of new ones. I was a teeny bit disappointed in the setlists. I was really hoping for at least one new song, or at least a new cover. Leavin on a jet plane would've been nice. It seemed like having Bob Weir sit in was their 'ok we're good'.  But all in all, hanging at the pool in January, with bevies, looking forward to MY MORNING JACKET shows most nights....not too shabby.

[Santo]

My sentiments echo the feel good crowd. LeanneP nailed it on the head, such an amazing atmosphere. I think several folks mentioned it earlier, but it felt like we were reuniting with long lost friends, even though many of the folks we hung out with, we just met last week. Alternately, I did not see any real arguments or fights, despite the rivers of booze flowing through the Hard Rock. I have never experienced anything like it.

I agree with e_wind, I think the setlists and song transitions were better at the Red Rocks, but I suffered a much deeper post-jacket depression after OBH. I kind of felt like Jack from Lost after he left the island. I have to find a way to get back. I gotta admit, my initial reactions to the setlist complaints were somewhat negative, because I could not fathom that anyone would be disgruntled.

[Gina]

I'm going to step in on this thread as a newb (since I am) and say...I am a hard core fan of a select few bands and an audiophile in general.  I like MMJ.  I went on this trip with a hard core fan who needed a room mate.  I had no expectations of anything other than Mexico for the first time in my life, a girls' getaway for the first time in my life, and seeing a bunch of bands that I never saw before.

I felt like I was in the lap of luxury on that resort.  I never had a bad meal, but the only place we really ate on the resort was Toro, room service, and late night grab and go from Impanema.  We had breakfast twice at the Market place and it was fine. 

There wasn't enough time in the day to do all the available activities that were available.

The service was outstanding.  The staff were friendly.  At times, they even seemed to be having a good time with us.

Our room was clean.  There were no bugs and no mold or mildew.  That says a lot to me in a tropical humid environment.  The overhaul was evident in some places (missed spots on freshly painted walls, for example), but we aren't in the room for more than 4 or 5 hours of the day anyway.

The pools were clean, the beach was clean, the spa was clean.

I became a REAL MMJ fan that week - those having been my first live MMJ shows.  I also became a fan of the other bands that played.  Hell, I can't cut off my bracelet yet!!

And something wonderful happened that I never expected - for the FIRST time ever, I went to a show where the people came together with such a fantastically positive and friendly vibe.  It was refreshing.  It was awesome to see the connection with the band and each other.  It was indescribable.  I truly felt like we were one big happy family.  I wonder if it's always like that at MMJ shows.  I hope so.  It was magical.