Live Reviews 2002

[CC]

MMJ at Barfly
Phew, saw MMJ for the first time at the Barfly last night and they were truly awesome - the best live band I've seen since Lift To Experience 18 months ago. If you like that kind of thing (and indeed, a big invite to Jim and the band if they're still in London), I shall be spinning records at Rock'n'rollSoul Goes East at Smersh, Shoreditch this coming Thursday. Expect to hear The Walkabouts, Giant Sand, Green On Red, The Tyde, Beachwood Sparks, Moose, The Sights, The White Stripes, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, a whole heap of soul tunes and, of course, My Morning Jacket.
rocknrollsoul - Nov 12th, 2002

my morning jacket setlist
saw them with doves at the fillmore. f*cking madness! that was an awesome set! can anybody list the songs they performed that night? or maybe post a standard setlist that they follow? bought the latest album but not all the songs were there.. anyways, just thought that maybe someone here could help me.. cheers!
nisa mae - Dec 15th, 2002

1st night: sooner, just because i do, lowdown, heartbreakin man, the way that he sings, war begun, one big holiday, phone went west
2nd night: lowdown, evelyn is not real, just because i do, the way that he sings, the bear, one big holiday, black sabbath
CC Baxter - Dec 15th, 2002

My morning jacket at nijdrop Belgium  
Hi, Last week, the 7th of november, I saw for the very first time the jacket live at nijdrop and I must say so, the amplifiers are still ringing in my ear!  It was the best concert I've ever seen in my whole life (even before neil young).  Pure, honest and loud! After one hour and a half, Jim came up alone on stage.  Just him and his acoustic guitar overwhelmed us with the beauty of Bermuda highway and 'I will be there when ...'. It was an evening to remember. Thx for the great concert! A very happy MMJ-fan
Jeroen - Nov 11th, 2002

This is what God ment when he created rock 'n roll! Guys, you were great!
Hans Jurgen Verselder - Nov 17th, 2002

Bowery Ballroom show
I went to this show -- MMJ blew my mind. I only recently discovered them. Quite possibly the best show I've seen in several years.  
pete - Nov 4th, 2002

Saturday's show was one of the best I've seen.  MMJ played an awesome set.  Hopefully my friend will send me her pictures and I can post them here. There is a live CD floating around.
Joe - Nov 4th, 2002

I was at the BB show too. Never heard these guys, but they blew me away live. One song is still in my head, but I don't know name of it. Anybody have setlist?
thanks~MIKE
Mike M - Nov 5th, 2002

it was a blistering set!... they totally rocked the house and blew the roof of the place!... the first song was a new one... called Mahgeeta...(saw the spelling on the setlist) might have been first time played... sounds like Jim is saying "my guitar" in the lyrics... get it?...  and the Phone Went West closer rocked on forever... it was amazing! My Morning Jacket 11.2.02 Bowery Ballroom - NYC 1. Mahgeeta 2. The Way That He Sings 3. Heartbreakin Man 4. Just Because I Do 5. Evelyn Is Not Real6. Picture Of You 7. One Big Holiday 8. Phone Went West
JC - Nov 5th, 2002

Setlist for 9/26 Austin??
MMJ are fucking incredible, they absolutely blew me away.. does anyone possibly know the setlist from tonight?  I'm especially interested in the last two songs, any help would be great - thanks
tyler rutherford - Sep 27th, 2002

The last two songs were the unreleased song (Holiday whatever its called) and then Phone Went West (from At Dawn).  Does anyone know what the middle-of-the-set slow, mellow tune was? I've seen MMJ 4 times now and I don't think I've ever heard it before. Is it new? It ended with a little rocking out and I headed over to the merch booth to ask the band, since they're usually the ones selling the stuff after their set -- but they were no where to be found, so I gave up on trying to find out. Last night definitely wasn't as good as their last Austin show (opening for Kweller at Emos), but I rank it above their opening for GBV and at SXSW (Buffalo Billiards acoustics made them sound like poop).
Pabst - Sep 27th, 2002

The mellow middle song was "Sooner" from the Chocolate and Ice Ep. I was all the way up front and they sounded great but i thought i was only getting their monitors and from talking to others and this list it seems i was probably correct. The p.a. was certainly working for the doves though wasn't it? MMJ: worth the price of the ticket alone.
mdalilama - Sep 27th, 2002

I was actually able to get the setlist from the tour manager, for those who are interested - thanks again to whoever passed on her email to me: Heartbreakin man, Lowdown, Just because, Evelyn, Sooner, Strangulation, One big holiday, Phone went west.
tyler rutherford - Sep 28th, 2002

MMJ Rocks Dela-where
So anywho, four months after rocking the pants off of the most with-it crowd my samll college town of Newark, Delaware, has seen in years, they returned on the 17th to grace us with their honey-dripped presence once again. After getting the opportunity to watch their soundcheck (where an uncooperative sound guy--we'll call him douche bag--wanted to do his own thing, to which an almost impatient Jim says "That's just how we play, man.") they came to my record store, bought some quality shit, went to eat, and arrived back in time for the two opening acts. An ever bomobastic Hokkaido Concern was up first. They immediately proceeded to wail through their 25 minute amphetamine-driven instrumental set (a la Turing Machine, Fucking Champs, Trans Am). They did a great job of getting the audience up and out of their skins. Then came POWER pop maestros, The Knobs, who sweetened the pot and made the girls blush. They completely ROCKED their closer, which paved the way for MMJ to come in and cast their spell. The boys all get up on stage and Pat starts off on the cymbal work for "The Dark". The heads know its coming, but the anticipation of the virgins is clouding the air thicker than a poker game in Japanese hotel room. One by one they trickle in, "noodling" around until the opportunity for Jim to evoke his soul arrives. "Trapped in gasoline, a lizard on a string, no one ever screams any more..." They couldn't have been more wrong as songs like O is the one that is real and One big holiday, enticed numerous hand gestures and shrieks a banshee would be jealous of. During ...holiday me and a pal jumped on stage (again) and danced around the band while they struck near-perfect cock-rock poses and played like it a was a fund raiser to buy Jesus a new hip. At about 1 am, Jim says they'd love to play longer, but the douchebag wouldn't let them because he was mean. They left the stage, save Jim, to chants of "One more song...One more Song!" Jim, still on stage, flying-V in hand, reaches around opens a guitar case and pulls out his acoustic--after about six shows, a first for me. My fellow stage-jumping friend whispers in Jim's ear and he proceeds with "I will be there when you die." I will now profess that that song is Newark, Delaware's anthem. THe crowd sings/cries along, he finishes up and asks "Whaddya wanna hear?" I hear requests for Tyrone, The Bear and lots others, but I ask for "Old Septeber Blues" and get it. It was perfect. They ended, said goodbye, and I hung out to get hugs and say thanks. The best band in the world just played in my back yard, played songs we requested, hugged me and said "Goodbye, Karl. Thank you." Thank ME!?! No guys, THANK YOU!!! Here's the set list:  The Dark, Lowdown, Just Because I Do, X-Mas Curtain, Evelyn Is Not Real, At Dawn, The Way He Sings, Heartbreakin Man, By My Car, War Begun, I Will Sing You Songs, Honest Man, O is the One That Is Real, Strangulation, One Big Holiday, Phone Went West / Encore: I Will Be There When You Die, Old September Blues
The Hotchicken - Sep 22nd, 2002

Saw MMJ on 9/15...what songs did they play?
Hey...I saw MMJ at the Troc on 9/15 and bought their LP. X-Mas Curtain is one they played that's on the record... But where's everything else that they played?  All those fast-paced songs/rockers? Clue me in! Thanks!
Brad  - Sep 16th, 2002

I was at the Philly show as well, and loved seeing MMJ with Doves. This was the second time I'd seen them, the first being at Drexel's Spring Fling when they played right before Guster went on. Both times they ended their set with a song that I really would like to hear again; I'll try to describe it.  Actually, at the Troc something was wrong with Jim's flying V, so they had to start over about 4 times but the rest of the band kept the song going until they were able to truly start once Jim switched guitars--it was veryskilled! Well, this song starts out with Jim playing a fast eight note and sixteenth note combination, and then four measures later Johnny comes in with the same rhythm but an interval above...then all hell breaks loose into a major rock-fest. So from that description, does anyone know the name? If it's "One Big Holiday" that Sunny Crocket mentioned above, it's a shame that this song is only live...but that just means it's time to come out with a live album!!! Hope to see these guys soon! Doves was excellent, as well. (and I just have to plug Guster--if anyone was at the Drexel show, I was the one who got to play flute with them)
am00se - Sep 21st, 2002

MMJ in Rochester, NY
It was my second time seeing the band (the first was w/ Swearing @ Motorists at Mercury Lounge in NY last winter)and am now convinced I could listen to "Phone Went West" live every Saturday and never tire of it... as w/ the NY show, it was amusing watching the confused expressions sweep over the crowd as people tried to classify/absorb what they were hearing/witnessing on stage.  The guy next to me appeared adverse during the opening number, "X-Mas Curtain," amused during the following rendition of "Heartbreakin Man," and won over by the time they got to "Picture of You." His reaction was the prevalent "process" of the respectable-sized crowd. I heard that the boys mingled after the show.  However I had obligations, and made it back in time to see the bouquet tossed throughout the air to the sounds of M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch This." Pretty surreal, can you say "dichotomy?" I certainly hope to see My Morning Jacket return to Rochester soon in a headlining slot.  
raindog - Sep 15th, 2002

how was the roxy show?
did anyone notice if Jack Black was at MMJ's show at the Roxy last night?  he was at *their* (opening for GBV)last show, so I wonder if he's now a fan?
Saint_Nonsense - Jul 27th, 2002

Man, I don't know but My Morning Jacket totally BLEW ME AWAY. First time seeing them live. Wow.
JG - Jul 29th, 2002

I could not believe that show. I went to see ben but MMJ stole the show.  From the first not I was in awe.  You guys rule.  I'm gonna see you again when you open for the doves.  I don't even really like the doves.
shnubert - Sep 17th, 2002

9:30 Club show
What a great show. I wish you guys had headlined and played more of your stuff.PLEASE come to Richmond,VA sometime soon. I know our music scene pretty much sucks, but you guys would definitely brighten it up! Thanks again for a great show! Chao
Christopher - Aug 17th, 2002

GREAT show. Thanks for rocking out, and thanks for the Elvis tribute. Please come back to DC. Please headline. Please play the Black Cat.  Thanks again.
Barbara - Aug 18th, 2002

amazing. my first time seeing them and by the end i couldn't help thinking that having the opportunity to run across a band like my morning jacket is the reason why i love seeing live music. their energy and passion gave me chills.
magda - Sep 13th, 2002

Schubas, Chicago - June 30, 2002
This was my favorite MMJ show to date (I have only seen them 4 times now).  The encore of 'black sabbath' with the stage as dark as Sabbath's lyrics sent shivers up my spine.  It's a meaning that I understand.
my_evening_jacket - Sep 10th, 2002

Cleveland-BeachlandBallroom-OpeningForBenKwellar
The show started fortunatley later in the evening and i still almost missed the set due to a flat tire..I took my mom after getting her hooked on AT DAWN around Mother's Day..She loved the show and afterward Jim said whats up and listen to me selfishly ramble for about 10 minutes before he poilitely excused himself to be with his family who Im sure hadnt seen him at least the length of that leg o' tour..I got some nice pix and a few tracks on the MD player, though dead battteries ruined the chance to get a really good XmasCurtain(?) at the end..sorry as soon as I got in I was slmmin two-fifty TallBoys of PBR, and the whole opening slot of theirs was over entirely TOO soon..  didnt stick around for BenKwellar, though Im sorry I missed the opening Adam Brodsky...
Gene - Aug 16th, 2002

Cleveland was my first MMJ experience.  They Rawked my socks off!  I'm even in one of the pictures on the site!  The middle picture from Beachland...the only one with concert-goers in it...I'm the one in the corner...pretty much the only person you can see.  Woo Hoo!  Just thought I'd share.
Amber - Sep 7th, 2002

MMJ does it again...NYC show 8/17
i think there were about 10 or 15 hardcore mmj fans there just to see them only...we were headbanging at different corners of the room. band was incredible...i only wish they headlined so they could play more. i left as soon as they finished... the ben kweller fans hate me...i was jumping all around and yelling out every word.  this is my 2nd mmj show...i saw them play northsix with swearing at motorists back in march and that definitely was the finest show of the year.  question, what is the name of the track they play live...starts off with this dual guitar fretwork...sounds like skynyrd meets allmans but 1000 times better? it's not on any of the new eps or the 2 albums...i have to have an mp3 of it.  the band must headline and come back to nyc/brooklyn very soon...we love you.
Jean-Pierre Prusack - Aug 18th, 2002

Riverfront, Da Ville, Tonite....8-28
Okay true believers, I'm here to tell the tale of tonite's show in Louisville.  I'm kinda drunk so if I misspell or otherwise exclaim "awesome!" in the middle of a sentance, forgive me... Great show!  The band looked relaxed and happy to be back in their home town...the set was nice and long and included all of your fav's...I know my throat is scratchy and hoarse from yellin and hoopin and hollerin'.  Damn, my neck hurts from all the headbangin!!! Honest Man seemed to go on forever and ever....awesome! All in all, it was one of the best ever I've seen, and believe me, I've seen my share and then some! Awesome!!!!
johnconaway - Aug 29th, 2002

What abot that cover of HOW THE GODS KILL!?  DANZIG! I am a total fucking metalhead!  Okay, not really.  But that shit was awesome. AWESOME! It was good to finally see the guys back in town again after, like... months and months.  I had to go to Indianapolis to see them the last time.  Not that that was awful, but... Wednesday night was totally awesome. ¡AWESOME!
MonkeyLover - Aug 30th, 2002

August 28 show
Below is a photo.  Some of you may notice that Two Tone hadn't shaved for some time, and Jim found a hat big enough to fit over all that hair. http://kentuckythings.com/mymorningjacket/m.jpg  ...It was a lovely night of great music and great fans in a great setting. With the bridges and the river in the background and nice weather, Wednesday's show was another MMJ masterpiece. Wish every Jacket fan on this message board could of made it.  
big bang - Aug 31st, 2002

Sonic Boom Records show in Seattle
wow...my friend brought me to the mmj show at the record store in seattle and all i can say is damn....jim played a solo acoustic set and it kicked so much ass...it was springsteen, neil young..i could go on and on with comparisons...it was just a great shoe..plaintive and honest.
BiographyOfFerns - Aug 1st, 2002

Philly Shows  
I've seen them in Philly four times. While all the shows were amazingly great (3 at the Khyber, 1 at Drexel U.) their very first show still sticks in my mind as the best. Maybe because it was the first time I saw them. Hard to say. But with just 15-20 people in the room, on a stormy summer night (2001), they restored everyone's faith in rock and roll.  Will probably catch them next month when they stop by the F.U. Church. They have been selling cool t-shirts lately too. One with the band name written in silver elegant script. My favorite.  Thanks for the music, guys.  
Doug S - Jul 11th, 2002

I heard that there are no shows at the FU Church anymore. That's kind of good because I would much rather be able to have a PBR and Jim Beam at the Khyber. Or maybe even a White Russian at the East End in Newark, Del. Because, quite frankly, I've been to all the same shows you have, except Drexel, and I saw 'em in Newark @ the Stone Balloon. They played for 2 1/2 hours and ended with War Pigs. And boy was I drunk. Then they autographed my watermelon and gave me a Beetlejuice action figure. Which I figure will get me no action.
The Hotchicken - Jul 20th, 2002

Austin 7/17 show
Last night's show at Emos in Austin, TX was one of the 5 best shows of my life. After Neil Young and Crazy Horse, there is no band that moves me the way MMJ does. I have seen MMJ three times now in the past 4 months and they keep getting better. Last night, the band was ON.  The finale, a brilliant version of Phone Went West, was argurably one of the greatest moments in rock and roll that I have ever experienced. I hope someone had the foresight to tape this show so they can release it as a live album and/or stream it on this site.
Pabst - Jul 18th, 2002

Chapel Hill, NC 7/9/02
I managed to get into the show last night and to quote Wesley Willis, "THAT BAND COULD WHIP A WILD HORSE'S ASS...WIF A BELT!"  MMJ rocked the house.
Tooth - Jul 10th, 2002

The Patio, Indianapolis, IN 6/29/02
To my great chagrin, MMJ did not headline but the show was still, as always, hypnotic.  It's amazing, once they start to play, no one exists, it's like flying with sound. I loved it, can't wait to see them again.
C-Monkey - Jul 6th, 2002

I've seen MMJ three times now here in Minneapolis and they were really great, but I've never seen them as headliners.  I'd love to see what they do with a longer set since their opening slots have been so great.  Also, when they opened for Guided by Voices they rocked a lot harder and I really loved it.  The set was completely different than the ones I'd seen them do.  I was disappointed with no "Bermuda Highway," but the set rocked so hard I couldn't complain.
Matt  - Jul 6th, 2002

Yeah, that show at the Patio really rocked. Great, great acoustics.  The crowd was small, but it didn't matter.  I still left with a sore neck, enlivened spirits, and a hangover that lasted days. That show practically peeled the paint off the walls...
johnconaway - Jul 8th, 2002

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

What an amazing post.  Thanks, man.  I had forgotten some of what I had written, and it was great to read all the other folks impressions of our favorite band.

Note to self:  Drunken posts at 1:00 a.m. might need some editing.  (key word being, "might")  :)

[plank10]

The 930 club show was fantastic. I can't wait for the shows at The Ottobar and the Black Cat which are both more personal venues. Hopefully the turnout will be as good as the last one.

[hipkink]

I don't think there were any reviews from a show they played at the Cafe Du Nord in S.F. w/ Swearing At Motorists opening. My 1st show, and it was the best show of any band, that I've ever seen. Jim almost stepped on a broken glass, but a thoughtful fan moved it before he cut his bare-feet up. Was that Lloyd Dobbler? Almost got whacked by the flying v, Jim's hair got whipped in my eyes, Johnny's guitar wasn't loud enough, but he didn't care, so we didn't either. The best thing was how they opened by playing "At Dawn" with the curtain down, and then went into "One Big Holiday" while the curtain was being lifted. A night I'll never forget.  

[danilove]

God bless all the Lloyd Dobblers of the world!!!  :-*

[dthomas]

more kudos from KEXP.

MORNING FAITHFUL:
From Joni:
You were so very very right about My Morning Jacket!!  The best show of
2003 thus far (their Saturday night show at Sasquatch)!  They were
fantastic!!  Let me use a few more exclamation points here.....The
show at Graceland was great!!  A completely separate set.  And, come to
find out, to top it off...they are nice and gracious men!

dave t

[lfish]

Jeezes,

I wish I was there the 28 of august.  What a hilarious photo.  Just like the flaming lips. Coincidence?

[thebigbang]

Here are a couple more photos. While most people notice just the hair and more hair, they have inspired moments of fashion as well.

This is Jim in his pirate phase, December 21, 2001:
http://kentuckythings.com/mymorningjacket/pirate1.jpg

Here is a studio shot showing how their wardrobe inspires their studio work (It's not just the silos on the farm):
http://kentuckythings.com/mymorningjacket/whiskey3.jpg

And somewhere I cannot locate just now, I had some pictures of the whole band performing an entire show while wearing green high school basketbal uniforms on May 5, 2001 (for the record, it was Trinity High School's uniforms). If I can locate them, I'll post some.

Jeezes,

I wish I was there the 28 of august.  What a hilarious photo.  Just like the flaming lips. Coincidence?

[lfish]

those photo's are hilarious.  Well once more it proves that mmj is not only about music but most of all about making fun.  And that's the way it should be.
Thx for the post man.

greetz

[Spoon]

Speaking of http://www.kentuckythings.com/mymorningjacket/
When is the Jacket Junkies page coming back up?  I had such high hopes what with the contests and the Christmas pics (Jim with the Tupac action figure was the bomb) and such.  BigBang, do you kno what's up?

[C-Monkey]

Heh, I wrote that review a year ago and I still feel the same way. I kind of feel strung out right now, like I haven't gotten my fix. Had to miss the last two local Louisville shows because I catered a wedding...I am just HEARTBROKEN that the local shows have been cancelled, though I'm sure it's for a good reason.

[tom]

yo mmj needs to come to florida cause i really want to see them in concert. GOD DAMN IT COME TO FLORIDA.

[MMJ_fanatic]

JC--my neck feels that way after every time I see them! ;D

[MickeyReds]

 ;D good shit