OBH4!

[MMJTX]

Apologies for my rude comment.
Hope you make it back and enjoy your next OBH

This was my first OBH and boy do I still smile and get goosebumps thinking about what we witnessed. I understand the excitement of trying to guess what will be played next, me and my buddy talked everyday for a week about what they would open with and close with each night and trying to guess covers but when I turned to him after the first 3ish songs in amazement that they were all from TTF I still hadn't grasped what was happening,
When Jim mentioned how special it was that they were playing the songs from TTF and it was the 20th anniversary I thought "ok that makes sense, holy cow can't imagine if they play the whole thing" then they did...then they played At Dawn and I lost my mind.

The whole next day our crew was just speculating "how could they possibly fit the remaining albums in their next 2 nights" and we still had doubts they would play the remaining discography, "I said, if those opening chords of Mahgeetah start, this place is going to explode" and it happened and it was life-changing. That night of It Still Moves and Z and a full Cobra, best musical experience of my life.

Night 3 was probably the best "off-night" I could've asked for, I love SE, PTM and Moon Taxi (count me in on those disappointed about the indoor stage, but I still had a blast in there).

Night 4 was amazing, my GF got to hear Thank You Too! which I had pretty much promised she would hear (thank goodness she did or I would've been in hot water) and I got to hear Remnants and Librarian +some others obvs.

As for the resort, thought it was great, although I'm a pretty simple guy, don't need much, did get a little tired of eating meat and carbs and was ready for a nice fresh salad when I got home.

Can't wait to get the downloads and put them all in one playlist, press shuffle and enjoy for the next year until we get some new music(fingers crossed).

Again, apologies for my rude comment about not wanting you back at the next one, can't wait to be back at OBH5

[sillyboob]

@MMJTX - It's probably true for most of us, your first OBH is the best OBH.  It's just such a cool event.  The location is beautiful, the warm breezes, the free flowing booze, the nonstop music, going to bed knowing tomorrow you get to do it all over again.  For me, OBH2 was just over the top, and that was my first OBH.  Once you get accustomed to going, it's hard not to go the next year, even if you're on the west coast and the flights to the DR are a little rough.

It's the music that keeps us coming back.  My Morning Jacket's music.  The other bands are just a great big bonus!!!

[ditty]

Lots of good follow up points.  The first time doing anything, is the best and once you go you will want to go back!

The one thing I stressed on the "Thank you, we want to hear from you" survey was, "the need to pick up the cans and cups they are serving during the show"!  My wife was very impressed that as each time a woman left a stall, they mopped and wiped it down.   I had no issue knowing song x was next and what song would be my first time hearing.  This scheduled my pee breaks.

[Lonndown27]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

[slappymoe]

  Neither does being a grammar notsee.

there are 2 possible responses:

thanks for correcting me, now I won't make the same mistake again.

or

you're a grammar nazi.

really, it just hurts my brain to read "could of."

punta cana wasn't free of problems, but I just think you had to be actively searching for issues to find them.  all in all I prefer the hard rock riviera maya, but i'll have no problem going back to the dominican republic.

[sillyboob]

  Neither does being a grammar notsee.

there are 2 possible responses:

thanks for correcting me, now I won't make the same mistake again.

or

you're a grammar nazi.

really, it just hurts my brain to read "could of."

punta cana wasn't free of problems, but I just think you had to be actively searching for issues to find them.  all in all I prefer the hard rock riviera maya, but i'll have no problem going back to the dominican republic.

Slappymoe - I'd like to withdraw my grammar notsee comment with apologies.  Your comment wasn't on anything I said, but still rubbed me wrong, kinda how "could of" does to you.  I get where you're coming from, there are definitely words & phrases that just get under my skin when they are used in conversation.

I'm with you on the preference for the Riviera Maya, but, like you, I'll most likely have no problem going back to the DR for OBH5.

Again, my apologies.

[sillyboob]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

[rkwedge]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

It was "I Think I'm Going To Hell" for me night 1. I couldn't even sleep that night, that was running on a loop thru my head. Carl's guitar was so cutting and in your face on that. Sadly I doubt even the soundboard recordings will capture that or be edited down. Master Plan and Xmas Curtain are really doing it for me lately now too, these two songs have really been getting stronger and stronger.

[sillyboob]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

It was "I Think I'm Going To Hell" for me night 1. I couldn't even sleep that night, that was running on a loop thru my head. Carl's guitar was so cutting and in your face on that. Sadly I doubt even the soundboard recordings will capture that or be edited down. Master Plan and Xmas Curtain are really doing it for me lately now too, these two songs have really been getting stronger and stronger.

Yes - Xmas Curtain was epic!!!  I remember that now as well.  And the red and green stage lighting was really cool to see.

Again, WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS!!!!

[Lonndown27]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

Absolutely!!! Lowdown had such an awesomely extended intro

[sillyboob]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

Absolutely!!! Lowdown had such an awesomely extended intro

Jim had that weird vibrato effect he hits just as the song starts.  I dig it!

[Lonndown27]

I think one thing everyone's missing here is the spontaneity within these versions of the songs played at OBH4 especially the rare ones like If All Else Fails, If It Smashes Down, By My Car, One in the Same etc. I also noticed changes and culminations of all previous jams and riffs that a song had gone through onstage from its creation until 2018 all within the same song. Its fantastic. Masterplan is a great candidate for that. The spontaneity is there my friends.


I have no problem when someone voices an opinion or criticism of this band I've had many, but it's just my interpretation that you had been taking OBH4 for granted.  Im probably wrong.

I did think it was tacky to end with Magic Bullet then OBH again and done....coulda fit a few covers in there to please everyone.  But man... three 3 hour shows....wow

I agree with you Lonn, about the versions of the songs, about how they were played.  I remember liking how 'Lowdown' sounded, in particular.  There were others as well, the memory is just a little foggy these days.  That's why WE NEED THE DOWNLOADS ALREADY!!!!

Absolutely!!! Lowdown had such an awesomely extended intro

Jim had that weird vibrato effect he hits just as the song starts.  I dig it!

i know man !!! it sounds so sick!! i would love to hear the band use more Phaser. They used to use that effect a fair amount from 2002-2005 (you can hear it on Okonokos specifically I WIll Sing You Songs, the end of Phone and maybe part of Off The Record) but I love the effect, it's one of my favorite effects ever, if not the most. I've got my Phase 90 on almost all of the time. Would love to hear them use phaser on stuff like Dondante and Steam Engine, it would really give such satisfactory thickness during the spacey parts. Just my two cents.

But yes, there ARE dynamic changes in the songs for OBH4. If you tuned out because you knew what song it was, that's on you hahah.

Have yer opinion! Thats just fine!
Nobody should ever feel like the Nazis are coming down on them for criticizing the band, but at the other end of the spectrum, we shouldn't be called unfair or mean for not liking what you said.

I think it's pretty cool how the situation was figured out and everyone rose to take responsibility for the things they said and if they didn't like what was said retroactively, they said something about it. That's very cool!!

This forum IS a peace and love place! Wasn't trying to be mean merely Pointing out the flaws i interpreted from your novel length post. I suppose jealousy of not being there or at any OBH previously made me hyper critical.  Sorryness to you!!! But hey man you got Because I Do honky tonk women version, Rollin Back, Remnants, a FULL Cobra and the greatest one I've ever heard, Magic Bullet for a second time ever, If It Smashes down second time ever , an All ThingsMust Pass version of If All Else Fails, the UltimaSpector version of By My Car, the odyssey of Evil Urges FULL in its beauty and bizarrekitchen sink acid madness, the reckoning of seeing It Still Moves full on, 3 hours each night, etc upon etc.

  It seems the food WAS hit and miss im seeing such great reviews and then such shitty ones. It's something that's definitely always worried me.

Peace and love and bless the Jacket from whoever's up above

[dontgetupset]

My Last One Big Holiday 2018

I am not one to complain on the boards but I feel like I have been writing this post since the moment I got off the bus and began the check in process. Please do not crucify me as this isn't meant to be anything other than a venting review.  Driving to the resort was completely different than last year. The poor construction sites along the main drive were so depressing. I remember last year the party really began as soon as you got off the bus so I was fine with the shanty town landscape. Please note that I am talking about within the Hardrock grounds. We arrived around 4PM and began the check in process.

As we were walking through the halls it seemed just like the Riveria Maya. Then we walked into great room. Granted there were close to 1500 people in the check in room but the floor was littered with debris. The bar was a hodge podge of fold up tables. I was given warm beer with ice cubes. To cap things off the overwhelming smell of mildew hung thick in the air. The check in line for the event was too long so I continued on to my room.

I found the room to be bigger than last years and was also pleasantly surprised with a view of the main stage. We continued on to the Broken Social Scene show. Once at the stage we began to get the lay of the land. Two bars and two buffet lines. Instead of bamboo with nice wood tops it was metal with vinyl stickers. Presidente is a quality beer which I often drink at home on warm summer days so that was nice surprise. Broken Social Scene was fine but I think with all the frustration with the travel I began to be overserved and don't remember much of that set.

My Morning Jacket took the stage and began playing their first album. I love MMJ but don't know their discography well enough to know they were playing everything in order. They played well and tight as usual. I got to see Picture of You and Phone Went West which are two of my favorite songs.

I got out of bed around 10 the next morning and headed to Toro for breakfast not great. I asked for a water to rehydrate and was given a juice glass filled with a plastic bottle. I get people are concerned about the water there however pouring it out of crinkly plastic bottle doesn't exactly scream luxury. The wait staff expects tips regardless of level service. That's not how I operate. Last year I tipped over 400 dollars so its not because I am cheap but I believe tips are earned.

I went down to the beach to meet up with my friends and asked and attendant for a chair. He told me to hold on with his index finger. I waited about 10 minutes before asking another guest if I could use a unattended chair. The beach was fine and the water warm little did I know it was the only day I could get in the water. I am not blaming anyone for the weather just making an observation.

We had Pizza for dinner the second night. Service was quality and the food was fine. We headed to Spoon which was fine except I felt like maybe the lead singer was having issues with hearing and was definitely letting the people on the side of the stage know. He tossed his guitar off to the side of the stage showing no respect for the equipment. I found the keyboardist/ guitarist to doing maybe just a little too much with his head banging and on stage antics. Carl is one of the best guitarist out there and when he gets to shredding it actually looks like he's just in the music not trying to make up for lack luster guitar play.

After reading various social media sites it became apparent MMJ was going to play It still Moves and Z that evening which are monster albums. However being able to follow along on Spotify of what they were going to play kind of took some of the magic away. Watching OBH from the side then having  beer, water bottles and anything else not strapped down to the ground fly through the air was somewhat comical and even more so when I read of people getting hit in the head with full beers. We went to bed immediately after and the thumps from the DJ party made me wish our room was elsewhere on the resort.

We woke up on Sunday and went to Ipanema which had been recommended on social media. It was delicious especially those little triangle hash browns. We got ready for the pools as the water and wind proved to be too much for us out on the beach. We went to a quiet pool at the back of the resort and had a blast. The drinks flowed and I even got touch a monkey. We listened to Hurray for the Riff Raff announce the name of her band no less than 6 times we counted from our balcony. Sylvan Esso tore the stage down great show will definitely have to check them out again. As we weren't that familiar with Portugal the Man we watched that from the balcony the Oasis cover was the highlight. We then filed into the "See the Show Theater" for Moon Taxi. They were at capacity somehow so we had to wait. We found the floor to be carpeted and it a little muggy inside. We stayed for a few songs and left. It was overcrowded and I had seen them before and really just wanted to see them at an outside venue. I heard two group of guys make a joke about who needed a beer and then one say  hashtag me too which I thought was funny but the woman in front of them told them that was not cool and just really seemed to overstep her boundaries. We partied pretty hard and checked out the casino and had an all around goodtime.

Monday we woke up ready to catch the last 3 albums played in order. Again went to Ipanema and had a lovely breakfast. We sat by the main pool and enjoyed great people watching and great drink service. The BBQ by the pool was great but I could of done without all the smoke the red sauce was awesome. We got changed and ready for the show and watched from one of the side couches which was awesome. Nathanial Rateliff was fine I had seen him before and wasn't too much different from the last time. MMJ tore it down but again seeing them just play the albums was a bit much for me. I think the final straw of the whole thing was my friend being served some Mama Juana with a cigarette in it.  Again we headed to the Theater where we saw J Roddy whose mix was all messed up. His vocals weren't loud enough and again the atmosphere just wasn't that great. I have seen them more times than I can count so wasn't that disappointed.

I found the resort to be dirtier than last year. I thought the golf carts zipping around with unrestricted exhaust to be a nuisance. The paths could of used a good power washing prior to our arrival. The maintenance schedule had no rhyme or reason. I found the staff to be somewhat accommodating but not what I am used to. I think people were talking a lot during the MMJ sets because they knew what was coming. There were no cheers when that first chord was struck of your favorite song. I get that it was quite a moment in My Morning Jacket history I just wish I had known before. I will not be attending again unless its at another resort. I look forward to my next MMJ show but am glad its over a year away.   

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply earlier. Busy few days.

I'm really glad you elaborated on your level of fandom. I would have assumed from your initial post that you knew "the hits" and had not really been to too many shows. Your follow-up corrected that notion. You have seen some good ones! In trying to put myself in your shoes I thought of a band I like enough to travel to the Caribbean to see but have been very neglectful in familiarizing myself with their catalog, Pearl Jam. The fact that I have listened to basically NOTHING ZILCH ZERO after Binaural probably makes me in the eyes of PJ fanatics some sort of ignorant apostate. However, I don't think that lack of knowledge/familiarity would prevent me from going to decent lengths to see them in the right setting.

As I stated in my response I love seeing well articulated criticism here and calling things out for what they are. I'm glad people apologized and since I was criticized for calling out Presidente been I will double down (in the spirit of honesty) and say: I really truly recommend you try out some more exotic stuff and see if you like it more. I can almost guarantee you you will.

Hoping to see you at a show

[Lonndown27]

It's been sexy up in heeeeeeuh . All we need is some live downloads and an announcement of the live album DVD package of incomprehensible magnificence

[MMJCOBRA]

Just chiming in to sunshine pump.  OBH4 was one of the best times of my life. I've been to all 4 and they are each special. My general rule of thumb is to make the most of these special opportunities. Sure the food is spotty and I had a platinum suite overlooking a drainage ditch. That took me a full hour to correct my attitude!  But as with all things, I believe that we all can control how we feel and control what we choose to focus on. 

1st off - music.  Seriously don't understand how anyone could feel anything other than awe. <shakes head>.  Just my take  but every day I just walked around in a daze of disbelief. Either from what I just witnessed. Or was about to witness.

People, met tons of great folks, great vibes and pretty hard core fans. Sure there were talkers, but that's been a rising trend for all concerts. I remember Jim singing IWBTWYD at the tabernacle a couple of years ago and was shocked at the amount of loudly audible conversations. I did have to quiet someone once but generally i was so focused on the music, it was a nonissue.

Anyhoooo, so stoked for next year.  Peace and love and bring on the dloads.

[Lonndown27]

Just chiming in to sunshine pump.  OBH4 was one of the best times of my life. I've been to all 4 and they are each special. My general rule of thumb is to make the most of these special opportunities. Sure the food is spotty and I had a platinum suite overlooking a drainage ditch. That took me a full hour to correct my attitude!  But as with all things, I believe that we all can control how we feel and control what we choose to focus on. 

1st off - music.  Seriously don't understand how anyone could feel anything other than awe. <shakes head>.  Just my take  but every day I just walked around in a daze of disbelief. Either from what I just witnessed. Or was about to witness.

People, met tons of great folks, great vibes and pretty hard core fans. Sure there were talkers, but that's been a rising trend for all concerts. I remember Jim singing IWBTWYD at the tabernacle a couple of years ago and was shocked at the amount of loudly audible conversations. I did have to quiet someone once but generally i was so focused on the music, it was a nonissue.

Anyhoooo, so stoked for next year.  Peace and love and bring on the dloads.

Fuck yes !!! GIVE US DEM NOW!!!!

[millerjustin]

someone just shared a new hashtag with me....BroBH4 lol

having been to all 4, I can say that being in a new place was refreshing - much bigger resort and the food was about the same.  Room service was pretty awful for our suite, but not C9's fault.

I loved every minute of it - especially seeing our little beer share turn into a 400 person party with 1,000+ beers to choose from.  The undercards were amazing, especially Nate with PHJB the last night. HFRR and PTM also outstanding.  Can't blame C( or the band for the tides killing beach stage, but that indoor theatre was a hot, steamy, crowded mess that I could only last 5 minutes in.

All this being said, I can say I've seen the whole catalogue - no stone unturned and the band was on top of their game - they must have practiced like madmen for days in advance.  So, thank you guys.

And as for the chatters - you can go F yourselves.  Who spends $3k to talk through the Tennessee Fire???????  I had to move like 10 times on night one and got agitated a bit - the Bro factor with 4k people was too much.  And I've gotten reports of hostile behavior (borderline rapey stuff) going on - so that's an issue.  If we get any more OBH fests in the future, I'm hoping C9 and the band can do some social engineering to control the experience and vibe a bit.

Just my 2 cents - no complaints (other than you MFin talkers), just observations....

[ditty]

someone just shared a new hashtag with me....BroBH4 lol

having been to all 4, I can say that being in a new place was refreshing - much bigger resort and the food was about the same.  Room service was pretty awful for our suite, but not C9's fault.

I loved every minute of it - especially seeing our little beer share turn into a 400 person party with 1,000+ beers to choose from.  The undercards were amazing, especially Nate with PHJB the last night. HFRR and PTM also outstanding.  Can't blame C( or the band for the tides killing beach stage, but that indoor theatre was a hot, steamy, crowded mess that I could only last 5 minutes in.

All this being said, I can say I've seen the whole catalogue - no stone unturned and the band was on top of their game - they must have practiced like madmen for days in advance.  So, thank you guys.

And as for the chatters - you can go F yourselves.  Who spends $3k to talk through the Tennessee Fire???????  I had to move like 10 times on night one and got agitated a bit - the Bro factor with 4k people was too much.  And I've gotten reports of hostile behavior (borderline rapey stuff) going on - so that's an issue.  If we get any more OBH fests in the future, I'm hoping C9 and the band can do some social engineering to control the experience and vibe a bit.

Just my 2 cents - no complaints (other than you MFin talkers), just observations....

I agree.  I believe less focus on "larger" additional bands might help bring the atmosphere closer to OBH 1-3.

[APR]

Interesting comments millerjustin and ditty.  If they announced what they were going to do ahead of time I bet more rabid fans (like myself) would have definitely made the trip and some more casual fans may have opted to pass on OBH4.  I'd like to check out a new resort one of these days, but it's hard to get better than the Riv Maya spot.

I guess there are always talkers.  I remember being surprised that during Dondante at T5 I had to move because many around me was having their own too loud conversations.  Moving constantly during TF or At Dawn would have been taxing, but if I could go back in time I wouldn't mind trying out that experience. 

Meanwhile, I am patiently awaiting the bootlegs!

[ditty]

I certainly understand APR.  I was happily surprised to hear TN Fire and AD and then speculate for the next 3 days, but agree we would have seen more familiar faces had they made this announcement. 

One of my comments on the questioner, for years 2, 3 & now 4, was to please keep the event focused on MMJ and the tropical vacation aspect.  To not "fesitvalize" the event and to keep the music focused on an early evening start time.  I guess you can see what they thought of my comments since the last 2 OBH's have started earlier (5 p.m and now 4 p.m.)