Will MMJ become an 'Arena Band'?

[walterfredo]

What do y'all think, will MMJ at some point become labeled an Arena Band?  I know I recently read an article somewhere...I think it was a review of the Ramble, that called them that...but I don't think they're quite there yet.  But....do you think it's inevitable?  Will they join the likes of U2, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, etc.?  

I will continue to see them no matter where they play, and I'm not asking this question in a negative light, I don't feel it's necessarily a bad thing to be labeled as such.  But...will we some day say "10 years ago I saw these guys in a small venue in NYC" or "I remember seeing them on NYE at the Fillmore".  And I know there are plenty of folks who will be able to say....I saw these guys at the coffee shop in Louisville.

Thoughts?

[johnnYYac]

You know, I've wondered about this a lot over the past two years.  I saw my first show in Boston in 2008, at a venue that holds about 5000.  They sold out in Louisville recently, over 10,000 I believe.  Still, they played Portland, Essex Jct., Holyoke, Birmingham, and many other venues with under 2000 "seats".  

I think, even if and when they can sell out larger arenas, they will seek out smaller venues because they want to be intimate with fans.  It will be interesting to see how the 2011 tour pans out; will they schedule only major cities and, therefore, bigger venues (I'm thinking, yes) and save smaller theaters for their off years?  

Like you, I'll be there- big or small, near or far.  I just hope they can keep offering the GA pit, like at N'ville's Municipal Auditorium and the Yum! Center in L'ville.  Portland's State Theatre was an ideal mix of GA floor and GA seating, a large part of what made it the best show.

[midwesterner]

For a long time I thought they would especially after the success of Evil Urges.  But lately I have been thinking they will continue to play large theaters and and large clubs.

However I do think a lot of this depends on how quickly they can get the next album out and how much touring they are willing to do following it.

I don't think they will ever been filling venues like U2, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam. Probably more like the White Stripes who in 2007 played a bunch of arenas but most were 75% full. But more "indie" bands are starting to make it to the Arena level. Both Phoenix and the Arcade Fire both headlined MSG this year. And although MMJ played there on NYE I am not sure their attendance would be so good on other nights.

[el_chode]

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

[gardenparty]

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

Pearl Jams rise was very meteoric though.  Their second album sold 800,000 in the first week and they were playing large stadiums by that point.
By the 6th album they had about 15 "mainstream" hits

MMJ's trajectory is more word of mouth.  I don't know that have an actual hit single.
I would liken it more to the Allmans and Gov't Mules.  A band that will continue to grow in popularity but will probably spend the career playing large theaters and the occasional big big shows.

nice work on the U2 call, btw ;)

[walterfredo]

Pearl Jams rise was very meteoric though.  Their second album sold 800,000 in the first week and they were playing large stadiums by that point.
By the 6th album they had about 15 "mainstream" hits

I agree with you, although one could argue...things have changed quite a bit in the music industry between then and now.  Who buys records anymore?  MMJ is one of the few bands I actually will buy the record, because I enjoy supporting them, but for the most part...it's all free, nobody buys it.  And the radio world has changed so much too, bands don't really have 'hits' anymore the way they used to, tied in part to the change in the recording industry.  Now, it's more about the live shows, people are drawn to bands that impress them live.  

A band like Gov't Mule isn't seeing the huge upswing in public praise and adoration like MMJ seems to be experiencing right now.  People like Fricke, and the Rolling Stone in general, are all going nuts for MMJ right now...their popularity is exploding in Europe, Australia...everywhere.  We shall see...time will tell.  

[gardenparty]

Pearl Jams rise was very meteoric though.  Their second album sold 800,000 in the first week and they were playing large stadiums by that point.
By the 6th album they had about 15 "mainstream" hits

I agree with you, although one could argue...things have changed quite a bit in the music industry between then and now.  Who buys records anymore?  MMJ is one of the few bands I actually will buy the record, because I enjoy supporting them, but for the most part...it's all free, nobody buys it.  And the radio world has changed so much too, bands don't really have 'hits' anymore the way they used to, tied in part to the change in the recording industry.  Now, it's more about the live shows, people are drawn to bands that impress them live.  

A band like Gov't Mule isn't seeing the huge upswing in public praise and adoration like MMJ seems to be experiencing right now.  People like Fricke, and the Rolling Stone in general, are all going nuts for MMJ right now...their popularity is exploding in Europe, Australia...everywhere.  We shall see...time will tell.  

good points.  
I'll agree the industry has changed.  
But bands do have hits. and those bands are playing stadiums now (See: Kings of Leon, Linkin Park, Killers, Phoenix, Muse)

PJ was essentially one of those bands 15 years ago.  They've just been able to do an exceptional job at maintaining a core fanbase since.  at least one or two of the above mentioned bands will not.

I think this thread was posted at a great time as the next album will be very pivotal in determining yay or nay.  I bet the band is somewhat aware of it

I probably should have said I'd prefer if they played theaters and the occasional stadium :)

Either way, as long as they keep it real, i hope they get to whatever level they would like to.    

[TheEraser]

I hope not. I guess through a fiscal lens, becoming an arena band would be your best bet...but keeping the art and the mystery embedded in their music, alive? Yeah, your best bet there is to stay at the smaller venues.

Arena shows always feel so detached and commercial. The only reason I got "into" the recent Louisville Yum Center show was because I was about 3 people back in the GA floor section. I saw Muse back in March at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and even though my seats were at the bottom of the stands, it felt horrible being so far away from the band.

But maybe this is just my opinion....

[Tracy 3000]

I don't see them becoming an arena band. WILCO is a more popular than MMJ and they have managed to "keep it small".

[el_chode]

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

Pearl Jams rise was very meteoric though.  Their second album sold 800,000 in the first week and they were playing large stadiums by that point.
By the 6th album they had about 15 "mainstream" hits

MMJ's trajectory is more word of mouth.  I don't know that have an actual hit single.
I would liken it more to the Allmans and Gov't Mules.  A band that will continue to grow in popularity but will probably spend the career playing large theaters and the occasional big big shows.

nice work on the U2 call, btw ;)

Pearl Jam's rise was meteoric, but album sales are not venue sales.

Also I never hear a PJ song in Kohls, but that goddamn store is why I can't listen to I'm Amazed anymore.

I think the important point from a marketing standpoint is that you need a band that can span generations to sell out a stadium. That can happen one of two ways: you go all KOL and sign a deal with the devil (a/k/a a 360 deal that gives your creative control over to a marketing department unless you're Jay-Z) or you just put in the work and you endure long enough to actually reach out to new generations.

Part of PJ's ability to fill a stadium is because they hooked people like me who were in 5th grade when Ten came out, they hooked the guys who were 10 years older than me, and they likely hooked a bunch of kids in middle school (not an insult) 10 years after I was there.

The only way to do that is to make really good music.

On the flipside, U2 and Bon Jovi just pump out crap that moms can bring their daughters do and have a bonding moment together while screaming over some talentless hack.

[el_chode]

I don't see them becoming an arena band. WILCO is a more popular than MMJ and they have managed to "keep it small".

I think Wilco has really dropped off the "mainstream" map lately. They were on for a while with Sky Blue Sky, but they seem to have taken the artistic route and buried themselves in Solid Sound and whatnot.

I think the test will be how radio and Entertainment Weekly handle the next album. If they splooge on it like EU, they'll definitely get a lot more prominence (no insults intended with that comment, it's just a by-product of self-generated buzz). If they deem it to be too artsy, out there, or not suited for a focus group in Minneola, then the band will just be as they are.

On an unrelated note, I consider Circuital to be a worthy Arena Rock song, not like OBH, but much in the same way as a Boston song (not Amanda)

[the_wizzard]

What do y'all think, will MMJ at some point become labeled an Arena Band?  I know I recently read an article somewhere...I think it was a review of the Ramble, that called them that...but I don't think they're quite there yet.  But....do you think it's inevitable?  Will they join the likes of U2, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, etc.?  

I will continue to see them no matter where they play, and I'm not asking this question in a negative light, I don't feel it's necessarily a bad thing to be labeled as such.  But...will we some day say "10 years ago I saw these guys in a small venue in NYC" or "I remember seeing them on NYE at the Fillmore".  And I know there are plenty of folks who will be able to say....I saw these guys at the coffee shop in Louisville.

Thoughts?

It's possible, but I don't see it happening out west anytime soon.  The last show they played in Portland was not sold out (Edgefield capacity = 5000).  *updated capacity from first post

However, I once saw this band called Phish at Bogarts in Cincinnati (capacity at Bogarts = 1500ish).  ;)

[sweatboard]

This is a really interesting question right now. I don't really think Wilco is appealing to any kind of mainstream audience and have no ambition to be. I think MMJ has the potential to draw a Kings Of Leon type of appeal but they have a Wilco mentality. Jim doesn't use as many hair products as kol, but just look at his thighs.

       

[ralph]

the answer to this is entirely up to the band I reckon.  They have the ability to be as big as they wanna be.  It may be a case of them saying "hey, this will do, we're big enough for our liking now" and pull back their efforts or they may reach for the stratosphere.  Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!

(And on an aside, U2 were good, if not brilliant once.  Things just got all fucked up when Bono decided he needed to save the world, prevent poverty, and appear in every music documentary to be filmed in the last decade... Also, they should stop remaking the same album over and over...)

[sweatboard]

"Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!"

Great line.

If they do play arena shows it will be because something bent towards them rather than them bending towards something.

[Tracy 3000]

"Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!"

Great line.

If they do play arena shows it will be because something bent towards them rather than them bending towards something.

you said bend

[sweatboard]

"Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!"

Great line.

If they do play arena shows it will be because something bent towards them rather than them bending towards something.

you said bend

[johnnYYac]

the answer to this is entirely up to the band I reckon.  They have the ability to be as big as they wanna be.  It may be a case of them saying "hey, this will do, we're big enough for our liking now" and pull back their efforts or they may reach for the stratosphere.  Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!

(And on an aside, U2 were good, if not brilliant once.  Things just got all fucked up when Bono decided he needed to save the world, prevent poverty, and appear in every music documentary to be filmed in the last decade... Also, they should stop remaking the same album over and over...)

I'm reminded of a question I asked the guys when they all ended up together in the hotel lobby the morning after the Portland, ME show.  I hesitantly asked if they were "comfortable" with where they are, in terms of the size of venues, the amount of touring (as MMJ and in other projects), album/music sales, etc.  The consensus from their responses was that they could remain happy where they are- musically, financially, etc.  But I got the impression they would let fate dictate where they go next and wouldn't necessarily shun moving to the next level.  The best feeling I got from my impromtu interview was that they seem driven to tour and add dates like Portland NOT to generate income but to be playing music in as many places as they can.  They clearly like the smaller venues, which may give hope to more out of the way places like northern New England.  

[Crispy]

the answer to this is entirely up to the band I reckon.  They have the ability to be as big as they wanna be.  It may be a case of them saying "hey, this will do, we're big enough for our liking now" and pull back their efforts or they may reach for the stratosphere.  Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!

(And on an aside, U2 were good, if not brilliant once.  Things just got all fucked up when Bono decided he needed to save the world, prevent poverty, and appear in every music documentary to be filmed in the last decade... Also, they should stop remaking the same album over and over...)

I'm reminded of a question I asked the guys when they all ended up together in the hotel lobby the morning after the Portland, ME show.  I hesitantly asked if they were "comfortable" with where they are, in terms of the size of venues, the amount of touring (as MMJ and in other projects), album/music sales, etc.  The consensus from their responses was that they could remain happy where they are- musically, financially, etc.  But I got the impression they would let fate dictate where they go next and wouldn't necessarily shun moving to the next level.  The best feeling I got from my impromtu interview was that they seem driven to tour and add dates like Portland NOT to generate income but to be playing music in as many places as they can.  They clearly like the smaller venues, which may give hope to more out of the way places like northern New England.  

Good stuff, and this gives me more hope that one day the boys will play in another out-of-the-way place such as, oh, I don't know, like, Cain's Ballroom, 423 North Main Street, Tulsa, OK, 918.584.2306.

[Penny Lane]

the answer to this is entirely up to the band I reckon.  They have the ability to be as big as they wanna be.  It may be a case of them saying "hey, this will do, we're big enough for our liking now" and pull back their efforts or they may reach for the stratosphere.  Either way i cant see that meaning too much down here, it'll always be intimate venues for us!

(And on an aside, U2 were good, if not brilliant once.  Things just got all fucked up when Bono decided he needed to save the world, prevent poverty, and appear in every music documentary to be filmed in the last decade... Also, they should stop remaking the same album over and over...)

I'm reminded of a question I asked the guys when they all ended up together in the hotel lobby the morning after the Portland, ME show.  I hesitantly asked if they were "comfortable" with where they are, in terms of the size of venues, the amount of touring (as MMJ and in other projects), album/music sales, etc.  The consensus from their responses was that they could remain happy where they are- musically, financially, etc.  But I got the impression they would let fate dictate where they go next and wouldn't necessarily shun moving to the next level.  The best feeling I got from my impromtu interview was that they seem driven to tour and add dates like Portland NOT to generate income but to be playing music in as many places as they can.  They clearly like the smaller venues, which may give hope to more out of the way places like northern New England.  

Good stuff, and this gives me more hope that one day the boys will play in another out-of-the-way place such as, oh, I don't know, like, Cain's Ballroom, 423 North Main Street, Tulsa, OK, 918.584.2306.

we need to start a petition for you, Crispy