The Philly Aftermath!

[Witness MMJ]

I agree with October & C-bear, at the show on thursday there were two girls that made their way up front just to say they got up front and all they did was "talk", drove me nuts, at one point I turned around to them & said "girls I came to listen to them not you, please can you be quiet" they left.

There is nothing worse than having someone shouting on your ear, talking about work, talking about other problems in their live when they can do that another time.

I hate it

[October]

 for example: people talking about baseball all night and not listening to the music, meatheads drinking too much and almost fighting during evelyn,

Yeah my husband & I were in front of these kids screaming "play something old" and when Evelyn came on, they didn't budge. Not to say you have to be crazy but really if your screaming Free Bird know when to back it up!! At RCMH,  people were talking about shoes, KY show people talking about Pizza. You just can't stop it- I guess its what you get when MMJ play festival venues.
I was the chick next to your sister, hope she had a killer show.

Hoping for Berlin see you @ NYE

were you with your husband who had the yankees hat on??  i should have said hi, but i'm always weirded about asking people in person if they belong to a message board by chance.

my sister was laughing because she said you both noticed carl's wedding band.  she loves carl.

i think she had a real good time.  she's doesn't really go to see live music much and we're really different people, but somehow, i guess because i listen to so much jacket, she got into the band and asked me if we could go see them together. it's great because she really likes TN Fire stuff and At Dawn stuff.  she got a kick out of war begun.

i still need to get tickets for NYE, but i'll definitely be there.

[Sassbox]

I have absolutely no problem shushing people during shows now...the need to talk over the music is pandemic and I'm not having it.  I'm very polite, and I've received quite a few dirty looks, but I won't allow people to disrespect me OR the band by yammering on ad nauseam.  

As far as glowsticks, don't bring 'em.  You may be well intentioned, but your glowstick might just end up in the hands of someone who isn't.  Seeing the band being pelted is disappointing and embarrassing.

This was my sixth show in two weeks and I have to say the crowd was pretty well behaved, the band's energy was insane and it was a wonderful night.

[Kenny76]

doEVIL does great reviews.  thank you!!

[jrod00]

I was the kid in the obama shirt.  we were talking in line and you gave me and my friends a ton of glowsticks (which is much appreciated by the way)

alright man! I met you too, I helped ya over the guardrail after you grabbed those picks,

that concert was out of control! unbelievable!

only bummer was some of the fans around me, the one kid i think was going to die and his friend refused to take him in the back and this group just talked the entire friggin time.  next time I think i'll try to get front row because I started second row and wound up being pushed back to the 5 or so

Hey willplaysguitar, how are ya bud.  I was the lad behind you and your friends/siblings(?) in line and right behind ya'll at the show, with my girlfriend.  You guys were wicked cool and definitely the most pleasant to be around.  There were so many annoying douchers in our area, like the large group who wouldn't shut the f*ck up through the entire show, and then towards the end that little rat-looking idiot who kept trying to push his way up front, and who had to be shoved and lectured by myself and like 10 other people who were fed up with him.   MightyPirate I'm sure that's the same group you were talking about; we probably saw each other there.  I was bearded with glasses and my girlfriend had long dark curly-ish hair.  Anywho, j-rud it was also cool to meet you.  

So besides the annoying people in the crowd, the show was just beautiful.  Karl especially was on fire I think.  Phone Went West, Mahgeetah, Law Low, Dondante of course, Touch Me Pt. 2, were some of the highlights.  Shit, there were so many, I'd list almost all the songs if I really thought about it.  I'm sad now though and wish I could see them again tonight and the next night....  I'm sure this will become availabe since it was broadcast on xpn, right??

[jrod00]

October I must have been right near you as well.  We were just to the right of Karl and in the 2nd row, so I'm sure we were bothered by the same annoying folks.  

[doEVILslittle]

o no! i almost forgot at the end of one big holiday Jim was at the edge of the stage leaning over the crowd and he was playing the main riff and mimicing the guitar along with his mouth

WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW...
WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW...
WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW WADALOW...

In that moment I could only imagine little 12-year-old Jimmy Olliges sitting in his room playing air guitar hoping some day to tour the world and visit exotic cities like... Philadelphia... ;)

[j_rud]

Slept 11 hours last night, recovering from two shows in the past 3 days. Finally have the clarity to put last nights events into coherent thoughts...

First of all, this was a great show for meeting people, both new and from previous shows. I talked to willplaysguitar in line and after the show and didn't know it until this morning. A girl behind me in line mentioned that she wasn't going to the show but holding a place in line for her brother. I thought this sounded familiar from the boards and sure enough met jarrod when he arrived. Tristis was right behind me, as was Sassbox. Next to me was a couple I talked with at Radio City, as well as a group of people we shared the rail with at Louisville. It was fitting that at my last Jacket show of the summer I ran into some of the people I met along the way. It really set the tone for the evening. You could feel the electricity in the crowd. These people came to have a good time, and as the lights dimmed and Birds Lament came over the PA, I knew we were in for a good one.

As the band took the stage I said to my friend "this feels like an Anytime opener", and sure enough there was Bo, igniting the crowd and starting the show. I love Anytime as the opener. I liken it to roller coaster; Evil Urges as the opener is like a traditional roller coaster that takes you up the hill, anticipation building, then sends you over the edge with some great solos. Anytime as the opener is like one of these new roller coasters that shoots up the hill at 100 MPH and doesn't stop until the ride is over...3 hours later.

As the band got settled in and started to hit on the new album (Aluminum Park, Evil Urges, Touch Me Pt 1), I realized just how much the new songs have grown over the tour. Radio City was a wonderful experience, one of my favorite shows ever, but you could tell that much of the setlist was new and hadn't really been road tested. That is definitely not the case now. The jams during Aluminum Park and Evil Urges sounded better than ever, and Jim's cape routine during Touch Me (and the other caped numbers) has taken on a life of its own. Its almost like an alter ego at this point, and it drives the crowd fucking wild. Im pretty sure I saw my wife swoon as Jim lept out on the speaker stack, cape wrapped around his face, peering over it at us in the first row. I didn't even mind because Im pretty sure I was swooning too. The guy just oozes charisma.

The first half of the set was rounded out by Golden, Two Halves, and Im Amazed. Carl was immaculate on the pedal steel during Golden. I think he's incredibly underrated as a musician. Two Halves and Im Amazed really hammered home my earlier thoughts about the new songs evolving.

Then came the 2nd half of the set, and IMO, where this show just kind of elevated itself. This is where it took off. I waited all summer to hear Evelyn and it did not disappoint. Jim and Carl were absolutely blistering, and the end featured a pose-off that lasted 30 seconds. If I had to guess they went into it asking themselves "How long could we do that...and what would the crowd do?" The answers to those questions are "About 30 seconds until Jim laughs" and "cheer...get slightly confused and quiet...then cheer even louder". Just another in a long line of lovable quirks as far as Im concerned. War Begun (2nd time in 3 days!) was great again, as was Phone.

It was obvious that we were in the middle of a great one when Patrick started laying the bass drum for Dondante. I looked at Dan but didn't say anything. The message was obvious: this was going to be epic. I don't really know how to describe what then happened. Superfluous superlatives simply wouldn't do it justice. All I can say is that it was the best version of that song that I had ever seen. Gideon, Lay Low, and Magheeta closed the set. Surrounded by my wife, sister in law, and 2 of my best friends, "sittin' here with me and mine" never sounded more true.

Wordless Chorus was the encore opener, of course, and was a crowd favorite as always. Highly Suspicious has also become a crowd pleaser, with its equal parts of grooving and shredding. After Cobra and Smokin' I knew we'd be closing it out with Touch Me Pt II, Run Thru, and OBH, but that didn't take away from it one bit.

Touch Me II was absolutely incredible. It had started to rain, a slight drizzle, as the tech brought Jim the omnichord. Like every song this one was really on point, but then something happened that I will never forget. As the song steadily built to its climax the rain came down harder. Then people behind me started to scream. I turned to my side to see fireworks exploding over the Ben Franklin Bridge. It was incredible and, judging by the look on Jims face, a complete surprise. He stared wide-eyed for a moment before turning to Patrick as if saying "Can you believe this?". It seemed to energize the band and the ripped through end of the song. They closed with Run Thru and OBH, and we all know how that goes. I will say that Jim is so fun to watch when he solos. He was in total command of the crowd, especially during OBH. Standing a foot away from Jim as he leaned over the crowd ripping through the end of that song, sweat actually dripping from THE GUITAR, can be described in one word: cathartic.

Overall it was an amazing night. I don't know where I would put it with the rest of the shows this summer. Im resisting the urge to rank them and just appreciate them all for what they each were. It was incredible though.



One final note for the cover fanatics: the band soundchecked The Lemon Song. Yes, THAT Lemon song. Possible hint for New Years Eve?????

[Loopaloop]

This was such an amazing experience. It was my first MMJ show (which I waited for about 6 hours at the gate) and I don't know what could've made it better. I was the Asian kid with the bandanna and the red tank top RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE where Jim James was ejaculating pure soul and happiness with smiles and winks. The set was perfect.

In the end, I was tired, starved, beaten, three-quarters deaf, wobbly, stinky, physically shitty in general. But I couldn't have felt happier.

[Johnny Jacket Man]

I was at the show last nite as well and introduced the band to my girlfriend.  I'm from Philly and saw them at the electric factory when they came by two years ago.  Since then, I just came back from Denver where i saw them at Red Rocks!  Fucken REligious!  I saw Jim play with the moon as it rose over Denver and into the constellations behind me.  It was the ultimate show, fuck the Who at Leeds, this was the best live show ever!  I witnessed history,  A nite I will not forget!  
Last night's show was amazing.  Evelyn, War Begun, a little tune from Chocolate and Ice, which is what I was hoping for, I thought The Bear would be next.  I flipped my lid.  Im heading to Chi town for the 9th and 10th show and will see you guys on the floor of MSG on New Year's.  I've been a fan for years and every time I see them the vibe grows more and more!!  Now I know what all those old guys felt like when they saw the greats of zepplin and jimi when they were in their hayday.  We're fucken watching the greatest band ever evolve and bring rock to its knees!!!

[teflondon]

I had to change my pants after Phone Went West last night. Best show ever and if it wasn't for the rain I would be in Boston right now. Hope to see ya'll on NYE.

[Salacious D]

One final note for the cover fanatics: the band soundchecked The Lemon Song. Yes, THAT Lemon song. Possible hint for New Years Eve?????

Hell. Yes.

[Willplaysguitar]

I was the kid in the obama shirt.  we were talking in line and you gave me and my friends a ton of glowsticks (which is much appreciated by the way)

alright man! I met you too, I helped ya over the guardrail after you grabbed those picks,

that concert was out of control! unbelievable!

only bummer was some of the fans around me, the one kid i think was going to die and his friend refused to take him in the back and this group just talked the entire friggin time.  next time I think i'll try to get front row because I started second row and wound up being pushed back to the 5 or so

Hey willplaysguitar, how are ya bud.  I was the lad behind you and your friends/siblings(?) in line and right behind ya'll at the show, with my girlfriend.  You guys were wicked cool and definitely the most pleasant to be around.  There were so many annoying douchers in our area, like the large group who wouldn't shut the f*ck up through the entire show, and then towards the end that little rat-looking idiot who kept trying to push his way up front, and who had to be shoved and lectured by myself and like 10 other people who were fed up with him.   MightyPirate I'm sure that's the same group you were talking about; we probably saw each other there.  I was bearded with glasses and my girlfriend had long dark curly-ish hair.  Anywho, j-rud it was also cool to meet you.  

So besides the annoying people in the crowd, the show was just beautiful.  Karl especially was on fire I think.  Phone Went West, Mahgeetah, Law Low, Dondante of course, Touch Me Pt. 2, were some of the highlights.  Shit, there were so many, I'd like almost all the songs if I really thought about it.  I'm sad now though and wish I could see them again tonight and the next night....  I'm sure this will become availabe since it was broadcast on xpn, right??

Were you the guy who i asked what song it was after phone went west?  And the kids with me were siblings, and I'm their friend.  And that guy pushing his way up front was annoying as hell, i wanted to sock him.

[tristis]

I was standing right there too and my son gave that POS a heavy elbow.  Noticed he settled down a bit.  Considering my son is a 5th degree master black belt at Kenpo karate I'm sure he's feeling it today.

[jrod00]

I was the kid in the obama shirt.  we were talking in line and you gave me and my friends a ton of glowsticks (which is much appreciated by the way)

alright man! I met you too, I helped ya over the guardrail after you grabbed those picks,

that concert was out of control! unbelievable!

only bummer was some of the fans around me, the one kid i think was going to die and his friend refused to take him in the back and this group just talked the entire friggin time.  next time I think i'll try to get front row because I started second row and wound up being pushed back to the 5 or so

Hey willplaysguitar, how are ya bud.  I was the lad behind you and your friends/siblings(?) in line and right behind ya'll at the show, with my girlfriend.  You guys were wicked cool and definitely the most pleasant to be around.  There were so many annoying douchers in our area, like the large group who wouldn't shut the f*ck up through the entire show, and then towards the end that little rat-looking idiot who kept trying to push his way up front, and who had to be shoved and lectured by myself and like 10 other people who were fed up with him.   MightyPirate I'm sure that's the same group you were talking about; we probably saw each other there.  I was bearded with glasses and my girlfriend had long dark curly-ish hair.  Anywho, j-rud it was also cool to meet you.  

So besides the annoying people in the crowd, the show was just beautiful.  Karl especially was on fire I think.  Phone Went West, Mahgeetah, Law Low, Dondante of course, Touch Me Pt. 2, were some of the highlights.  Shit, there were so many, I'd like almost all the songs if I really thought about it.  I'm sad now though and wish I could see them again tonight and the next night....  I'm sure this will become availabe since it was broadcast on xpn, right??

Were you the guy who i asked what song it was after phone went west?  And the kids with me were siblings, and I'm their friend.  And that guy pushing his way up front was annoying as hell, i wanted to sock him.

gotcha.  yeah that was me.  

[fleabag]

I can't say much more about my first MMJ gig that hasn't been said already, but yeah Cobra, Phone Went West, and Evelyn were awesome.

Loved seeing some peeps from the boards about 20' back too.

I could say more, but I'm in the midst of an endorphin crash or something.  Is that common after an MMJ show?  I don't even want to go out tonight.  :'(

[jrod00]

I can't say much more about my first MMJ gig that hasn't been said already, but yeah Cobra, Phone Went West, and Evelyn were awesome.

Loved seeing some peeps from the boards about 20' back too.

I could say more, but I'm in the midst of an endorphin crash or something.  Is that common after an MMJ show?  I don't even want to go out tonight.  :'(

yeah i often feel that way after a really good concert.  I think the reason is that you have such a euphoric feeling for (in this case) about 2 hrs 45 minutes, then you're left to dwell on it; and while the memories are priceless, they can never compare to the feeling of experiencing it, and you just wanna go and do it all over again.  Wish I could tonight.  I am rather melancholy today.

[j_rud]

[Willplaysguitar]

I can't say much more about my first MMJ gig that hasn't been said already, but yeah Cobra, Phone Went West, and Evelyn were awesome.

Loved seeing some peeps from the boards about 20' back too.

I could say more, but I'm in the midst of an endorphin crash or something.  Is that common after an MMJ show?  I don't even want to go out tonight.  :'(

Have to say I felt the same way too this morning, luckily i got EU vinyl at the concert, and when i put that on, I felt alot better.

[sidewalksoul]

i'm from philly and attended the philly show. missed the first half of anytime, but almost broke my fucking neck rockin' out to the rest of the set. i was blown away by war begun, a song that i've never heard done live and definitely deserves the balls-out treatment.
jim cracked me the fuck up with the cape during wordless chorus. i got childishly giddy and amused whenever he did his dracula bit before the chorus.

the rain was epic for the encore. yes, mmj does control the weather. i am not surprised. two-tone tommy KILLLLLLED it during smokin' from shootin', among other numbers. carl also was a ton of fun to watch dance. they all look like they're having a blast.
i don't understand how you couldn't like the song highly suspicious. and last night converted a lot of unfaithfuls, i'm sure. it was skull-bustingly heavy.
i was with my two lady friends and some dickhead kept grabbing their asses. he had short brown hair and a mustache. i was right up at the front in the dead center, about fifteen feet from the stage. wanted to pop him one in the mouth, but didn't wanna get thrown out.
also, some guy kept telling me what songs were coming next. don't know, don't care. good for you, you've seen them a bunch. he was a cool guy, just wouldn't stop blowing the setlist for me.

i'm only complaining because i'm not really sure how to put into words how much i needed this show. i will be checking back for the stream on monday.

all in all, thank god for a show like that. mmj killlllled it.