Will MMJ become an 'Arena Band'?

[Crispy]

Wilco has had some really interesting merch over the years - vinyl doll versions of the band members, and an ex got me a Wilco soccer scarf they had one tour. Hope it's just a matter of time till MMJ figures out we fanatics will buy anything they slap their name on  ;D

I'm actually getting my brother that coffee for Christmas  ;D  Intelligentsia is probably the best roaster in Chicago (though of course that's a matter of some debate).

The only reason I'm drinking coffee from a Wilco+Intelligentsia mug right now is because MMJ hasn't sold one yet.

[Tracy 3000]

Wilco has had some really interesting merch over the years - vinyl doll versions of the band members, and an ex got me a Wilco soccer scarf they had one tour. Hope it's just a matter of time till MMJ figures out we fanatics will buy anything they slap their name on  ;D

I'm actually getting my brother that coffee for Christmas  ;D  Intelligentsia is probably the best roaster in Chicago (though of course that's a matter of some debate).

The only reason I'm drinking coffee from a Wilco+Intelligentsia mug right now is because MMJ hasn't sold one yet.

My Morning Coffee! I'd buy it (and every time you open the pack, the cymbal opening for OBH plays)

[lil sis]

[highlight]I live in Montclair, NJ...I really hope the band hits up The Wellmont Theater on their next tour. [/highlight]I also see them doing a 3 night Radio City (Fri-Sat-Sun) run instead of 1 MSG show.

I'm guessing more multiple night runs in smaller venues to build buzz and word of mouth for the first leg in the spring.

Summers, mostly festivals with some other dates mixed in.

Fall, depending on new album sales, radio hits, ect...Arena's in major markets (Boston, NYC, Philly, ect.)

But hey, what the hell do I know.

Wow Jersey just keeps popping up on this board.   :)

I've never been to that theater but I'd be there in a heartbeat!

[ralph]

Wilco has had some really interesting merch over the years - vinyl doll versions of the band members, and an ex got me a Wilco soccer scarf they had one tour. [highlight]Hope it's just a matter of time till MMJ figures out we fanatics will buy anything they slap their name on [/highlight] ;D

I'm actually getting my brother that coffee for Christmas  ;D  Intelligentsia is probably the best roaster in Chicago (though of course that's a matter of some debate).

My Morning After (Jacket) pill?  :o

[Soulshine]

I haven't checked in on the board for a awhile but this has been a real thoughtful and interesting thread.  I agree that to get to arena level MMJ will need more FM radio love than they get right now.  I am trying to think of an arena band without a single mainstream hit. Widespread Panic and Phish are the only ones I can think of, but jam fans probably go to ten times as many shows a year than normal rock fans and certainly these bands have a disproportionate number of travelers.  It's a way of life for them.

I was actually pretty surprised how well MMJ drew at Red Rocks in '09 considering I had seen my first MMJ shows a year earlier at the Ogden theater. But Red Rocks is only 8,000, and the venue is like Mecca for hard-core fans of any band. It's worth the effort to get there, and the band is usually inspired by the place.

At the Mile High Music Fest, I thought they pulled a sizable crowd, although I suspect many were keeping their spots for DMB. But did you notice when the webcast switched to the stage with Weezer, who had started about 15 minutes before the end of MMJ,  the crowd was clearly larger. Sure Weezer is not in MMJ's league, but younger casual festival fans were likely attracted to the fact Weezer has a few recognizable hits. It's the casual fans who come for the hits that make it possible to sell arenas.

I will be perfectly content to see MMJ at Red Rocks every summer, thank you. If they get bigger they can play two nights!

Where do you live fellow ColoRADan?

[korief]

Given how much they seem to love touring and how much their reputation is based on their stellar live performances, I would say that if they keep up this pace, it is inevitable that they will be an "arena" band. Whether that is their intention or not is a different matter. However, I do think they are pretty hooked on being rock stars and they will do what it takes to keep the party going.

[Kenny76]

It takes time. One day, yes. Look at Pearl Jam's rise.

U2 is a poor comparison because they also appeal to people with absolutely no taste in music, an easy-to-capture market

::)  U2 was the first group of musicians to make me fall in love with music.  I'm sure some of their fans don't have a real appreciation for music, but you could say that about most bands.  As for Pearl Jam, they started off big and their fan base has never withered, so there was no rise.  They've played sold out shows at arenas ever since I first saw them in '98...  they attract all kinds of music fans.   I don't know if MMJ will ever be like that, which is fine, perhaps it's better.  But they certainly CAN rock an arena (and of course they have -- MSG).