Wiltern 01.06.07!

[bridget]

I know there are a couple other Wiltern/Dancefloors threads. Hope this isn't over-doing it!

I've only been in LA a couple months now, and I have to admit I didn't know what to expect from an "LA" crowd – but it was fan-freaking-tastic! Nice people, super-excited to be there, bouncing around and signing along. Way to go LA!

This is gonna be pretty disjointed, but here are my overall thoughts:

They opened with the forest screen dropping / OBH – I've been to 2 shows now that opened with OBH and I really think it's best way to start – the whole crowd screaming "Wakin' Up!..." Kicks off the night right.

Hands down, best Wordless Chorus I've ever seen. The energy really coalesced around the "We are the innovators / They are the imitators - Come on!" – took the crowd to a higher place and we stayed up there for the rest of the show.

The energy level these guys sustain night after night astounds me. I was exhausted at the end of the show and I was just bouncing in place! Jim has full-on embraced his inner Rock Star – though his hair still usually covers his face, he's so much more interactive with the crowd  - constantly standing up on the lip of the stage / getting a good look at everyone. We got many jumps off the drum stand! We got high kicks! We got a running slide to his knees! We got the James Brown – is was great!

We got Cobra! I was so excited - and Jim busted out what I can only describe as an egyptian goddess? dance. Stood up at the mic, turned his back to the crowd, palms together to his side almost like a Charlie's Angel gun pose, and sang over his left shoulder. A lead-boot walk away from them mic and back. Good stuff:)

The Wiltern really is lovely and gorgeous and historic. Jim's banter for the night was that looking up the ceiling of this beautiful theater makes him wish he had more hobbies. Because in the thirties there weren't cell phones or the internet – people couldn't sit around on MySpace all day - so they went out and built things like ornate, starry-skied Wiltern Theaters. And he wished he was capable of more. So true!

Though it did not take away from the show one iota – is the Jacket working with a new crew? Because that guitar tech got more of a workout than anyone. I have never seen a guy run around the stage like that – every song! I thought it sounded great, but they were making adjustments the whole show and switching out the guitars / that's the wrong guitar / I need that one / adjusting cables and pedals – it seemed like the tech was no more than a foot away from Jim at any point in the second half of the show. Which is totally fine! The boys are professionals and never missed a beat, there was just a lot of scrambling goin' on.

I *heart* the Deerland Horns. OMG! Those guys are fantastic. The three of them up there like little kids - SO EXCITED – such unbridled joy at being on stage! With the Jacket! This song?! I LOVE this Song! Let's do it! They positively glowed – and I bought Elvis' record on the way out because of it. That pure passion and joy – dig it!! They high-fived Patrick and Bo and Jim as they bounced off the stage. I *heart* them. I really really do.

This has probably gone on long enough. It was just a full-on rock show start to finish. I took two friends – one really had an epiphany at Wordless Chorus and hasn't been the same since:) The other one couldn't handle the volume and went to make some calls and drink in the lobby. Yeah. We don't talk to her anymore...  ;D

Just so much fun – and I really have to reiterate – coming from Texas, I could not be more impressed with the LA crowd! Such a genuine, appreciative, loud, sweet group of folks. Not the subdued hipster-elite I was worried about. Way to go LA! Y'all are the best!!

[fortbethel]

Bridget,

GR8 review. :)

I was there last night and I totally agree it was a GR8 show! U reviewed it nicely. :)

[dragonboy]

Thanks 4 the review Bridget!

[aguadulce]

Excellent review !!!!!!  

I also wanted to add that the lighting was probably one of the best light shows i've ever seen.   During run thru - the drummers lighting was amazing.  

I've been to TONS of LA shows over the last 25 years (im old) and I agree this crowd was great last night.   LA fans can be hit or miss for sure.      This was my first time seeing them headline - I saw them at the Austin City Limits festival a few years back and they were the best band of the weekend easily.    

I'm seeing rumors of them playing Coachella again this year - has anyone heard anything more definite on that ??

     

[ChiefOKONO]

Thanks for the reviews guys. Yes the lighting was pretty sweet i must agree!

This was another awesome show!! Highlights for me were Just One Thing, dondante>run thru (which was Heavy!!!) and Cobra!! (a nice surprise!)
[i posted the setlist in the setlists thread]

there were some technical difficulties so i think they changed the setlist because of it.  Then in the down time jim was talking about leaves turning into drums and acorns turning into bass guitars in the forest. hehe.. he also said that people were being reborn from wisps of cotton candy or something like that.

i loved Jim's comments about hobbies.. he also thanked us for coming out. it was a pretty good crowd to my surprise!!

[ms. yvon]

bridget i'd forgotton about jim sliding on his knees across stage.  stellar!

last night i was on the first raised section of the theatre above the pit so i got a terrific view of the whole stage.  this is a great spot to see the band interaction and stage effects.

the lighting is tremendous:  i don't know how these men can play and keep their balance with the strobes.  hidden talents, i tell you.

i'm glad they used the scrim at the top of the show, too.  wow!  the back lights threw silhouettes of the band on it before it fell with the first big chord of OBH.   and they went into it hard.  right out of the gate.  just kills me how they can do that.  woo!

the technical issues seemed intermittent thru the show:  jim's amp, patrick's monitor, carl's steel...carl's sound was missing for about a minute of 'golden', when it came on, the crowd cheered. :D

the crowd was good!  still bums me out when people are loud during the first part of dondante, but what can you do?  i met some great people on line and in the show.

to john from el paso:  Dominguez on Airway.  check.  hope you have a safe trip home!

also:  so happy to see the painted mural backdrop making the tour w/them!  it really adds a dimension to the show.  when the lights were down the screen in back was lighted red or blue (i think...) and one could see the band silhouetted there between songs.  beautiful.

wordless was fantastic!

and THEY RAN.  i cannot get enough of this song.   period.

will be heading to seattle and portland can't wait to see what makes the list up there! :D

[tstils]

Does anyone know what the name of the band who opened for them was?

[ms. yvon]

elvis perkins in dearland.  they are terrific!

i caught the free t-shirt thrown out last night.  neat!   :D

[Dedalus2k]

My first MMJ show.   :o OMFG...  Best show I've seen in years.  Are they always that good or was that an exceptional show?

[Dedalus2k]

Had to say more.  Been listening to Okonokos for a few weeks getting prepped for the show.  Was expecting a good night but, boy jezuz...  Blew me away.  We were on the floor on the right side of the stage where Jim kept towering over us.  He did seem to be enjoying the whole 'rock star' thing.  Dug the boots.  Live they seem like a totally different band than the studio discs.  Totally unclassifiable.  Country, folk, rock, southern rock, jam band, metal, reggae, everything.  Damn what a show.    

[ChiefOKONO]

in my experience/opinion, they pretty much are always that good.. they never fail to bring THE ROCK!!!!

My first MMJ show.   :o OMFG...  Best show I've seen in years.  Are they always that good or was that an exceptional show?

[JazzCat]

It was my second MMJ and the first headlining show (I saw them at Coachella last year) and I was just blown away.  Even songs from Z that I didn't really care for before were put in new perspective.  The purple lights during It Beats 4 U provided the perfect ambiance.  I was no more then 5 ft from the stage, dead center (it pays to get there early).  Jim James is solidifying himfself as the one of the best frontmen in Rock N Roll today.  He does all those rock star moves that so many indie frontmen seem to think is beneath them.  I was digging those boots too.  I think those technical problems during the encore were blessing in disguise because it seemed like they switched up the setlist to play Easy Morning Rebel and Dancefloors with the Deerland Horns, which was one of highlights for me.  I also think that Wordless Chorus was something special.  It was moment of pure euphoria (and no, it wasn't the weed).  

PS Did anyone else see Jim slip and almost fall in the encore?

[turtle]

Hey y'all just my 2 cents...my 1st 2 shows being Anaheim and Wiltern....I was blown away @ Anaheim....not so much LA. I guess it might've had to do w/ getting a good place to actually see @ the Wiltern, damn it was packed! Seriously...still enjoyed it however was a bit dissapointed at how many repeats there were from the previous night...gotta mix it up. But HOB I was able to be in the pit....and they totally brought it, think they were stoked OC sold out and they were appreciative. Don't get me wrong LA was great but HOB was insane. It'd be interesting to hear the difference in the tapes. All in all, very stoked!

[BH]

Hey y'all just my 2 cents...my 1st 2 shows being Anaheim and Wiltern....I was blown away @ Anaheim....not so much LA. I guess it might've had to do w/ getting a good place to actually see @ the Wiltern, damn it was packed! Seriously...still enjoyed it however was a bit dissapointed at how many repeats there were from the previous night...gotta mix it up. But HOB I was able to be in the pit....and they totally brought it, think they were stoked OC sold out and they were appreciative. Don't get me wrong LA was great but HOB was insane. It'd be interesting to hear the difference in the tapes. All in all, very stoked!

Looks like you actually got eight new songs in LA that were not played in Aneheim.  That's not bad.  They have to play the stand bys for those who arn't lucky enough to see multiple shows.

A side note:  Looking at these two setlists I noticed no Mahgeetah in Aneheim.  Is that possible?  That would be a first for this tour and probably beyond.  I can't remember a show without it.  Could this be a setlist mistake?

[MyLifeISought]

A side note:  Looking at these two setlists I noticed no Mahgeetah in Aneheim.  Is that possible?  That would be a first for this tour and probably beyond.  I can't remember a show without it.  Could this be a setlist mistake?

They only played Mahgeetah at three quarters of the shows on the Z tour...

[ChiefOKONO]

yeah it's true, no mageetah at that show.

Hey y'all just my 2 cents...my 1st 2 shows being Anaheim and Wiltern....I was blown away @ Anaheim....not so much LA. I guess it might've had to do w/ getting a good place to actually see @ the Wiltern, damn it was packed! Seriously...still enjoyed it however was a bit dissapointed at how many repeats there were from the previous night...gotta mix it up. But HOB I was able to be in the pit....and they totally brought it, think they were stoked OC sold out and they were appreciative. Don't get me wrong LA was great but HOB was insane. It'd be interesting to hear the difference in the tapes. All in all, very stoked!

Looks like you actually got eight new songs in LA that were not played in Aneheim.  That's not bad.  They have to play the stand bys for those who arn't lucky enough to see multiple shows.

A side note:  Looking at these two setlists I noticed no Mahgeetah in Aneheim.  Is that possible?  That would be a first for this tour and probably beyond.  I can't remember a show without it.  Could this be a setlist mistake?

[Reverend ToneZone]

It was my second MMJ and the first headlining show (I saw them at Coachella last year) and I was just blown away.  Even songs from Z that I didn't really care for before were put in new perspective.  The purple lights during It Beats 4 U provided the perfect ambiance.  I was no more then 5 ft from the stage, dead center (it pays to get there early).  Jim James is solidifying himfself as the one of the best frontmen in Rock N Roll today.  He does all those rock star moves that so many indie frontmen seem to think is beneath them.  I was digging those boots too.  I think those technical problems during the encore were blessing in disguise because it seemed like they switched up the setlist to play Easy Morning Rebel and Dancefloors with the Deerland Horns, which was one of highlights for me.  I also think that Wordless Chorus was something special.  It was moment of pure euphoria (and no, it wasn't the weed).  

PS Did anyone else see Jim slip and almost fall in the encore?

I saw Jim slip.  I was right in front of him when it happened, the only thing between us was the barricade.  He actually slipped on a tangerine that was sitting on the stage.  He stepped on it and completely squashed it then just lost his balance and fell.  He looked shocked that he actually slipped, but unhurt.

[karma]

JIM IS THE GREATEST BUT IT SEEMED TO ME THAT HE CAN ALSO BE BE A LITTLE CLUMSY. HE TRIPPED A FEW TIMES AT THE HOB IN ANAHEIM SHOW. HE ALSO HIT HIS FACE ON THE MICROPHONE STAND WHILE HE WAS JAMMING SO HARD WITH HIS GUITAR. HE DIDN'T EVEN STOP OR FLINCH. I WOULD HAVE STOPPED AND CRIED IF IT WERE ME. THAT COMES TO SHOW YOU HOW PASSIONATE HE IS WITH HIS MUSIC.

[JazzCat]

Dude, he could fall of the stage and I think he would still get up and continue his guitar solo.

[LaurieBlue]

http://www.insidesocal.com/music/2007/01/my_morning_jacket_wiltern_thea.html