Champaign Finale!

[megisnotreal]

Hell no!  I was rocking right along with ya!  I recall one point where we were dancing back and forth shoulder to shoulder... it was just such a great vibe down by the stage.  That was the first time I'd seen them in concert, and they even blew away the Okonokos performance, which I've been listening to incessantly today.  

Did you get a chance to hang out in Champaign? What did you think?  I'm curious as to what Kentucky's like... I've only driven through Paducah on my way to Nashville.  Louisville?  Bowling Green?  Where should I check out?

I'm PM'ing you my email.

[redandblack]

Damn. What an experience. We drove six hours to get to the Foellinger, and we waited two hours to buy tickets. Then, on the way home, one of the tires blew out and then the spare blew out and I thought I woas going to never come home, but...

It was amazing. The Foellinger is a really big an old auditorium with this huge dome for a roof. The seats are wooden, and it was a really intimate venue.

The Slip took the stage, and my friend Jen and I stood up and commenced to rocking the fuck out. It was wierd, because there were a lot of empty seats and we were like the ONLY ones standing up. This girl told me to "sit the fuck down," but I was like, "Hey, I'm just enjoying the show." They brought the fucking rock, man; I really dug those guys. At the end, the lead singer said, "Hey, thanks for getting into it guys. You're an inspiration." He was laughing about it, because seriously, NO one (but me and Jen) was standing up. I met him after the show and he told me I was a badass for "knowing how to act at a rock and roll show."

Anyway, MMJ took the stage and I was transported to what my pal Jen refers to as the "happy place." We had seats, but eventually said fuck it and stood up in front of the stage--in front of Carl and Tommy. The show was fucking amazing. I was so happy, I thought I was on x, even though I was totally sober... but that's a Jacket show for you. I'll have to scan my copy of the setlist for y'all later. Scanner's on the fritz.

Highlights of the show... before leaving the stage before the encore, Jim snuck up behind Patrick and starting banging on the drums while Patrick was still drumming. I tried to get a picture, but it didn't turn out.

He saluted us for making "the brave choice" and not staying at home and "watching Grey's Anatomy on the Idiot Box." He kept referring to Illinois as a "frozen tundra," and that the Foellinger was our "warm lil' fuckin' igloo."

He joked with the crowd by talking about how he hated playing in "corporate venues" like "The Folgers Auditorium."  He went on about consumerism and kept joking that the place was called "The Folger Auditiorium." All these people were yelling out "It's the FOELIINGER," and when he heard one of them say that, he said, "Whatever. It still smells like fuckin' coffee."

Nashville to Kentucky was great. I love the addition of Carl's sax solo. He shreds the guitar, too. Carl brings the rock, man.



Run Thru "melted my face off," and I thought my heart was going to exlpode during The Way That He Sings.  Golden was amazing, too; that first pic I posted was taken during that song. Kudos to the lighting designer! And kudos to Dave, the sound man, because the show sounded great.

After the show, I got to meet the band. They were all so nice. I gave them this air freshener I bought that has this picture of a bear about to attack someone with the phrase "Beary Fresh" printed beneath. I think Patrick thought it was funny. I made some Mr. Show jokes with Jim, and he took a picture with me. Note out silly poses.



I got one of Carl's picks and Jim's, too. That's what the random ass pic I posted earlier was of. It was one of the best nights of my life. It was cool meeting a lot of new people, most whom had never seen the Jacket before. This one guy next to me was like, "This is the fucking sickest show I have ever seen!" The crowd who had been seated earlier were brought to their collective knees by pure rock and roll. I wish I could do it all over again.



Here's me waiting to get my tickets:



The student workers put that sign there, and I found it funny.

Anyway... amazing experience. I hope someone taped this show.

first post.  i stood outside with you meg, screaming at the "pretentious" student workers, haahaha. and yes, after my first my morning jacket show i can truly say that they rival the white stripes in greatness, especially live.  seriously one of the best shows i've ever seen, not saying i've seen a ton, but it was incredible. jealous that you got to meet the band . . .

[megisnotreal]

first post.  i stood outside with you meg, screaming at the "pretentious" student workers, haahaha. and yes, after my first my morning jacket show i can truly say that they rival the white stripes in greatness, especially live.  seriously one of the best shows i've ever seen, not saying i've seen a ton, but it was incredible. jealous that you got to meet the band . . .

Glad you enjoyed it, man. See why I was willing to drive six goddamn hours?

I wonder if those chicks ever blogged about how much they hated us... LOL OMG WTF LOLZ!!!11One!  ;D

[knotcomesloose]

i couldnt have said it better myself meg. thanks for going with me on that weird journey to the "frozen tundra that is illinois", as said by jim himself.
we taught those fighting illini how to rock the fuck out.

[Specialist]

I wish MMJ would play at my college. I think the boys of MMJ  would dig Big Red (the best college mascot EVER!).

MMJ at Van Meter or the Capitol Arts... ah, that would make my...life

[TEO]

Awesome Meg!  Why does everyone get a picture with Jim except me!!!!!!!

You are not the only one without a pic of Jim.  ;)

[megisnotreal]

i couldnt have said it better myself meg. thanks for going with me on that weird journey to the "frozen tundra that is illinois", as said by jim himself.
we taught those fighting illini how to rock the fuck out.

What about the shittest hotel known to man?

five words for you:

danville.

hotel.

and.

convention.

center.  ??? Are you scared yet?

[flugster]

Just wanted to post my favorite picture (of many) from the Folger's show. ;)

[cstephens16]

holy hell this band is absofuckinglutely ridiculous good.  that was sooo much fun!!  it blew all expectations out of the water.  i went with my brother, my fiancee, and her little brother (his first concert ever outside of some hip hop show he went to in high school).  the three of them sat most of the show while i did enough head banging for us all.   everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.....i think my fiancee's little brother was more blown away than the other 2.  ...couldn't have been happier that he had a good time!!  (i'm hoping i've found someone to see live music with in champaign!!)

i was wondering if jim playing drums in sync with the drummer was a part of the normal routine.  ...damn that was cool.

not much else to say...i hope they come back!!!  

peace
chris

[sweetjesus]

hey man.  i was standing next to you and made room for that girl that you brought.  i probably also said this is the f*cking sickest shit ever.  I drove 2 hours from Indy to see that show.  I couldn't believe how empty it was. i also yelled "Deer Creek!".  That was my second MMJ show and god damn if it wasn't the coolest shit ever.  We had seats in the back but as soon as the show started we were like f*ck it, this crowd is lame...we're moving to the front.  my neck still hurts from all the head banging.  we have some pics as well.  anyway, awesome show for sure!

Woah. I took a shit-ton of pics, y'all.

[sweetjesus]

anyone got any more picture with people in the front row in them? TIA

[megisnotreal]

hey man.  i was standing next to you and made room for that girl that you brought.  i probably also said this is the f*cking sickest shit ever.  I drove 2 hours from Indy to see that show.  I couldn't believe how empty it was. i also yelled "Deer Creek!".  That was my second MMJ show and god damn if it wasn't the coolest shit ever.  We had seats in the back but as soon as the show started we were like f*ck it, this crowd is lame...we're moving to the front.  my neck still hurts from all the head banging.  we have some pics as well.  anyway, awesome show for sure!

Man, my neck still hurts, too. Glad to know you had a good time at the show.

And it was...

[glb]the sickest shit ever[/glb].

[megisnotreal]

I got bored and tried to photoshop some of the photos I took.

Hope you like.

[CC]

more Folgers in the gallery.

[EC]

more Folgers in the gallery.

riny, your new set up for the gallery is really nice. :)

[Kory]

riny, you're new set up for the gallery is really nice. :)

I meant to note that as well, greatly improved!

[Kory]

I got bored and tried to photoshop some of the photos I took.

Hope you like.

My Favorite! Nice work  Meg!

[megisnotreal]

My Favorite! Nice work  Meg!

thanks.

I really like those photos in the gallery. Kudos to those photographers. If you look, you'll see a picture of Jim and Patrick's drum duet about which I was so eager to rant.

[LaurieBlue]

http://thereluctanttownie.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-morning-jacket-review.html