http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2007/09/17/acl_my_morning_jacket.html
i attended this show. i thought it was stunning, perhaps the best performance of any band at ACL. the reviewer here noted MMJ's brand of southern rock. it might be southern-tinged, but to me it's just rock n roll at its finest. no one at ACL had the energy these guys had ... or sense of humor. that beach backdrop and the band members wearing something "island" was kitsch at its finest. ... i wish i could personally thank each band member for the show they put on. they made ACL worth it for me.
maybe he meant "coastal" not southern. ;)
Sounds like a good show. I'm a bit surprised / disappointed that they didn't bust out any new songs. I guess they don't want them to be "road tested" before they lay them down this time. :-/
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003641525
My Morning Jacket was decked out in Hawaiian attire for its set, complete with Jim James wearing a blonde wig, and the band in leis. Hula girls, palm trees and a sunset backdrop provided further visual accompaniment to the performance, which featured tracks like "Golden," "Wordless Chorus," "Off the Record" and "Mahgeetah."
I agree. It was an amazing show!!! Definitely an awesome vibe. I cracked up at the pineapple girls. Oh guess who I met up with...
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/bry721/IMG_0973.jpg)
Quotehttp://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003641525
My Morning Jacket was decked out in Hawaiian attire for its set, complete with Jim James wearing a blonde wig, and the band in leis. Hula girls, palm trees and a sunset backdrop provided further visual accompaniment to the performance, which featured tracks like "Golden," "Wordless Chorus," "Off the Record" and "Mahgeetah."
I agree it's a little disappointing that they didn't test out any new ones but THIS the type of stuff that makes them so freakin' cool! 8-) 8-)
Here a review from the blog I work with. I didn't write the review, I just took the photos.
http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/?p=1032
Here is one more photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danfun/1395340050/
I will have more photos up later in the week
We went down to Austin on Thursday and drove through the night (11ish hours). We only had Sunday passes to ACL, but we had late night tickets to Sound Tribe Sector 9 on Friday at La Zona Rosa. They are incredible. This was my third (and fourth on Sunday) time to see them and they just don't disappoint.
Anyway, we got to the festival on Sunday at 1:30 just as STS9 was beginning their set with "Instantly." A solid hour dripping sweat in the mid-day Texas sun. We pretty much sat under a tree and listened to the acts that played in the tent (Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are the only ones that stand out). We went for the last half of Bloc Party (never been impressed, there are plenty of indie-rock outfits that don't get the hype of bloc party but are way better). We only went to see them to get a good spot for MMJ.
When they finished and we walked forward, there were a ton of other people with the same idea. From what I gathered, the vast majority were simply waiting for Bob Dylan on the same stage. Met up The_Wizzard and her friends and chatted for a while, took some photos, talked about you guys, etc. Hopefully someone will post some pics of the stage, but there was a volcano island/palm tree back drop, with tropical plants and totem poles on the stage. It opened with two guys carrying metal detectors across the stage. Then the boys came out in Hawaiian shirts and beach accessories, except Jim, who just had on a lime green sleeveless shirt with a long blond wig. Two-tone came out with a scuba mask and snorkel and floaties. Patrick sported swimming goggles and Bo rocked the Zinc Oxide on the nose a la Ug from Nickelodeon's classic "Salute Your Shorts."
The review in the first post is a little misleading. The pineapple girls weren't "Polynesian-looking," they just wore "Polynesian-looking" clothing. They were all different races though (the women not the clothing). The sound people didn't have a great mix until a couple songs into it, but it was nice and loud as per the usual. Standouts from the show (for me) were "Sooner" and "Lay Low." I had said the night before that I'd like to hear "Sooner," and it worked so well with the island theme. Jim broke out the omnichord for it and that's always fun. Bird did some cool staccato riffs on the violin during this one. On Lay Low, they got to the part where the guitars do that same riff in harmony, but Jim didn't go into it with the rest of the band, and as close as we were, you could see Carl make a face like "ohh, we're not ready for that yet?" and Jim proceeded to shred for a few more measures until they went into it as usual. Jim's voice was on for sure too. I really hope a recording surfaces.
That's all I've got. It was only an hour. Oh yeah, we wore Hawaiian shirts that day so we could keep up with one another, and had no idea that we would match the theme! You'll see when Liz gets pictures up.
-Ian
First MMJ show. Drove 5 hours North from McAllen, TX, MMJ was the only reason I bought a ticket for ACL. Definately worth $80.
I was very impressed with the quality of the live sound. To me it sounded gorgeous, emotional to hear the songs I love brought to life like that in person.
I've seen quite a few concerts in the past 15 of my 31 years and I would have to say this was one of the best hours of live music I've experienced. Completely blew Bob Dylan's creaky ghost out of the festival IMO.
I can't wait to see them in an indoor venue with an MMJ only crowd.
Looking forward to reading any more reviews that come in...
QuoteThe sound people didn't have a great mix until a couple songs into it, but it was nice and loud as per the usual.
Can you describe a little more about the sound problem? You're the 2nd person to mention a sound issue during the performance. This was my first time seeing MMJ live so I don't have anything to compare it to, but to my ears it sounded perfect.
thanks for the review, sticky 8-)
and great pic, bry!
I haven't heard many reviews of the mmj set - most of the people I know and most of the blogs I read went to Wilco for some ridiculous reason. Glad to hear some first-hand accounts.
Ugh. Seeing those photos - it just hit me. My last two Novermbers have been marked by trips home to hook up with my friends and see mmj amidst their fall tour. I can't believe I'm not going to see em again til sometime next year. it hurts it hurts...
clickhand,
so happy to hear that you enjoyed yourself! MMJ was also the only reason I came down and bought a Sunday ticket. The sound problem was more of a mix issue. Jim's voice was not nearly as loud in the mix as it usually is, the guitars kept changing volume, and the total mix would seriously decrease in volume from time to time. They had much more serious problems at Bob Dylan. The secondary speakers (the ones that are like 100 yards from the stage) weren't even on until a few songs into his set. They sounded incredible though, to be sure. They always do. You can't beat the energy coming off the stage. They so clearly love what they're doing and love the fans.
Almost forgot, you really do need to catch them in a venue at night. They have an incredible lighting designer.
mmj at acl was sick. they were my purpose of sunday...well and mr dylan but their live shows are unparallaled. ahhhhhh i wish i could go back
[size=18]My review: Their shit was on fire!!![/size]
(http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/5/2/4/1/16461425-16461427-large.jpg)
Okay, here's a few pics from ACL. What a great show. Do I really have to wait until next year to do it again??? :'( I'm still too awake to sleep, but tired as hell and I haven't really properly gone through these, but here's what I got.
Liz, crazy to see you and hubby on the plane! Next time we'll definately have to have a beer together.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007004.a.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007013.a.jpg)
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(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007018.a.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007024.a.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007033.a.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007058.a.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007049.a.jpg)
http://mylittleghostfriend.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-morning-jacket-acl-one-hell-of-beach.html
Quote[size=18]My review: Their shit was on fire!!![/size]
(http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/5/2/4/1/16461425-16461427-large.jpg)
who's got the marshmellow's and hotdogs ;D
nice pics VC!
Quoteclickhand,
so happy to hear that you enjoyed yourself! MMJ was also the only reason I came down and bought a Sunday ticket. T
Same here. I arrived just as Bloc Party finished, in time to get up to the front.
Well worth the $50 I paid the scalper!
QuoteWell worth the $50 I paid the scalper!
nice deal! 30 dollars off, not bad...scalpers must've overestimated the demand...
Some really great pics here: http://www.stereogum.com/archives/concert/austin-city-limits-07-my-morning-jacket-are-the-be.html#more
Their shit was, indeed, on fire. Has anyone heard how many tickets they sold? I was just trying to figure out how many people were there. My guess is between 1 and 100,000 but I could be WAY off base...
QuoteTheir shit was, indeed, on fire. Has anyone heard how many tickets they sold? I was just trying to figure out how many people were there. My guess is between 1 and 100,000 but I could be WAY off base...
I believe they cap it at about 65,000 folks/day.
I was just there on Sunday, but it didn't feel as crowded as last year. I think that is largely due to the expanded "chair-free zones".
QuoteSome really great pics here: http://www.stereogum.com/archives/concert/austin-city-limits-07-my-morning-jacket-are-the-be.html#more
I will admit I was a little unsure of the JJ as a blonde thing, but after seeing these pictures I want every single one of them poster size!
ACL 2007 = "No one ever said it would be easy being a music fan"
quoted by my friend Katie on day 1 and boy was she right. We sweated in the Austin heat, and danced our asses off! Quite an amazing trip. I am downloading my pics right now and will post them soon.
I cannot add anything to the reviews of MMJ...only complaint was that they couldn't play longer! Me and my friends were able to secure a spot not too far back from Sticky and Vespachick. We threw down some serious dance moves, couldn't stop the groove (oh...and I totally karate chopped a dude's beer out of his hand....oops! But man, he was moving threw the crowd during OBH....I cannot help but rock out with the eyes closed....he was kindof understanding :-/). No one around us was rocking as hard as we were, which leads us to believe there were a lot of Dylan fans camping for good spots. It was awesome to meet you Sticky...hope you made it back in time for classes!
Other highlights include:
Spoon at La Zona Rosa (rocked it way harder than at ACL...great time had by all)
LCD (serious dance party in the heat...they brought it!)
Andrew Bird (first time seeing him live...great set and it was awesome to see him join mmj)
Swimming in the creek after Andrew Bird (with a gaggle of swans swimming by). What a great way to cool down.
The WAMU tent...rocking soul and gospel all weekend long. We stopped by many times!
Arcade Fire (again first time seeing them live). Sounded great! The stages at that side of the festival had much better sound.
Stephan Marley at Emo's (late show but awesome!)
"Young Bride" after the on-stage engagement at Midlake...that kid has balls!
Hanging with my great friends from SF! We had a lovely home rented within walking distance. It was truly a family affair for us.
Seeing Sticky at MMJ and Vespachick on the plane!
I will work on getting my pics posted (they are all of the screen next to the stage, but they turned out pretty good)!
Now I need to go rest...ACL worked me!
QuoteMet up The_Wizzard and her friends and chatted for a while, took some photos, talked about you guys, etc. Oh yeah, we wore Hawaiian shirts that day so we could keep up with one another, and had no idea that we would match the theme! You'll see when Liz gets pictures up.
Here it is! And there is a glimpse of the backdrop in it too!
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0784.jpg)
Quote[size=18]My review: Their shit was on fire!!![/size]
(http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/5/2/4/1/16461425-16461427-large.jpg)
This was probably the funniest joke I've made all year. Just patting myself on the back for that.
;)
My friends and I got to the AT&T stage in time to catch most of Ben Kweller (who was pretty good) and all of Bloc Party (who were I thought were okay, but the majority of the crowd was freaking out about how incredible they were) and were about ten rows back right in front of Carl for MMJ. Just like everyone else said, the band was on fire. Highlights were a Phone Went West with the end extended about as long as I have heard it (similar to 04 Roo) and Lay Low, where Carl definitely looked surprised at how long Jim played one of his solos. I'm surprised no one has mentioned how lame the crowd was. It would have been my favorite show of the festival if the crowd had been into the show at all. People around me were sitting halfway through, and keep in mind I was only 10 people back from the front. I guess there was just way too many fans only there to see Dylan. Still they played really well, and I can't wait to see them next time they're in Austin.
QuoteQuote[size=18]My review: Their shit was on fire!!![/size]
(http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/5/2/4/1/16461425-16461427-large.jpg)
This was probably the funniest joke I've made all year. Just patting myself on the back for that.
;)
I'll give you a pat on the back for it too! After a long hard day at work, it was just the thing I needed! Hilarious [smiley=grin2.gif]
http://blog.vh1.com/2007-09-18/austin-city-limits-festival-report/
Eight stages. 132 bands. 65,000 fans to contend with. Set on the sweltering Texas fields of Zilker Park, making the most of the bands playing this year's Austin City Limits Festival on a barbecue-filled stomach was no easy feat, but the chance to see My Morning Jacket (pictured), Bjork, Arcade Fire, Regina Spektor, Cold War Kids and hundreds of others was too enticing not to try. Check back tomorrow for a full report from the festival frontlines. In the meantime, check out a few facts and stats from the three-day music fest.
Best Whistler in Pop Music: Andrew Bird
Second Best Whistler in Pop Music: Sampler used by Peter, Bjorn and John
Number of Big Lebowski-Themed T-shirts (seen): 5
Band with Best Sense of Humor: My Morning Jacket
Least-Coordinated Audience: Common
Most Questionable Onstage Outfit: Ben Kweller
Is ol' jimmy having some long hair withdrawl?
I am an old fart who loves Clapton, Grateful Dead, Allman Bros. etc. I had never heard MMJ until ACL. They are a really good band and were a highlight of the 3 day festival for me. Great singing, picking and wonderful, humable tunes.
So many of the new bands play chords very very fast and loud and have no one who can really pick a guiar or at least no one picks a guitar in the tuneless mind numbing pablum that seems to be so popular. Too many chords, not enough notes!!
For ACL I put Muse, Yo La Tengo and The National in this group. Seemed to be wildly popular with the younger crowd, but were very boring to me.
More pics...
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0786.jpg)
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0798.jpg)
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(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0794.jpg)
and from stephan Marley after-show...good pics
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0745.jpg)
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/Lizmccausland/CIMG0750.jpg)
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haven't chimed in yet - the show was super bad, as uz.
i loved the zinc.
i think it was the first time i've been so far back at a show.
Blonde J. Mascis?! ;D
http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/6616/158/
Hey Laurie....thanks for posting a link form Playback. Didn't think anyone outside of St Louis every hear of this. Hell, a lot of people in St Louis haven't even heard of it.
An excerpt from a friend's blog on MMJ's set:
...There are good live bands out there, lots of them... and a lot of 'em were there for the picking at ACLFest. Then there are can't miss kick-ass bands, musicians who bring things to another level every single night. Sure things are few and far between, but the good folks at Austin City Limits somehow managed to line up two of them at the same time. It's a new form of torture: Wilco or My Morning Jacket? Of course, why choose? We settled into a soundboard spot for My Morning Jacket and were promptly swooning over Jim James & Co's backdrop of a desert island -- few bands brought the whole package, but MMJ would not let us down. Then some guys dressed up in beachwear start sweeping the stage back and forth with metal detectors and the band comes out all dressed up as different stereotypical beachgoers. These guys were there to have fun. The music was heavenly, of course, every MMJ show feels entirely special in some way, because that's the kind of band they are, but really, they are all just instances of the same kick-ass show. How they bring that much energy and that level of showmanship every night is beyond me, but man do these guys fwickin' rock! Ethereal "Wordless Tree" and downright groovtronic "Off the Record" and a heavenly "Gideon" -- it was all, in a word, awesome.
Full reviews here:
Day 1: http://tinyurl. com/3ex2pz
Day 2: http://tinyurl. com/3y2blo
Day 3: http://tinyurl. com/37n68f
Quote I'm surprised no one has mentioned how lame the crowd was. It would have been my favorite show of the festival if the crowd had been into the show at all.
I smell what you're steppin in; the crowd around me was pretty good, most of 'em were there for Dylan but still managed to have an open mind and ultimately they agreed that MMJ was superfantastic. BUT, It wasn't until a few days later I noticed this pic; it was taken I think about 2/3 through the show when Jim commented on what a beautiful sunset it was and how great it was to be there. So I put my camera up pointed it behind me to capture it. The sunset doesn't register very well, but you can see what some people had to say about the show. Probably he was just too overheated and drunk. At least that's what I like to think.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o291/okonokos/Austin2007054a.1.jpg)
Yeah...the crowd >:(
We need a VIP fan area at all shows!
We got filmed by some young college kid (I keep checking Youtube to see if it is posted...not yet, but I would love to watch me and my friends giggin' cuz' we slayed it). Anyway, I was rocking my ass off to Gideon when I noticed him and his buddy filming me and my crew rocking out (they were all smiling, mocking, and laughing...i gave his film the "happy" finger). Fuck those people who find humor in how other people dance. Shit, it may not always look pretty, but I AM FEELING IT (come to a MMJ show with me and you will witness)! And watching the band, they sure as hell feel it too. Advice to all those people...put your camera away, open your ears (and mind), and let your body go......
funny side note, after STS9 DJ set, we met up with our crew at Maggie Mae's on the VIP side of bar. My boy Dan-o started a dance off (out of pure fun and good hip-hop being played). Guess who won....oh yeah...his wife! She could put on clinics, I tell you what! Anyways.............
stepping off soap box....NOW.
[size=24]TESTIFY!!!!![/size]
fuck those people anyways!
http://blog.vh1.com/2007-09-19/austin-city-limits-festival-report-2/
Did this one already get posted?
http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2007/09/acl-2007-in-polaroids.html
"At least two-thirds of us are now officially My Morning Jacket fans after their stellar set before a radiant sunset."
What the f**k is up with the other one third?!!
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/1402191879_eb455498d1.jpg)
http://ickmusic.com/index.php/2007/09/24/ickmusic-acl-day-three-recap/
w/Video
Quotehttp://ickmusic.com/index.php/2007/09/24/ickmusic-acl-day-three-recap/
w/Video
Excellent video of LayLow Laurie!
About halfway thru it cuts to the bigscreen so you can see some closeups and the sound is really good to for a vid clip. Check it out.
people suck at most shows...get over it. I was at Daft Punk and no one was dancing...fans suck. They're there for one show and not the experience. Go to coachella or bonaroo, where people travel to the fest rather than the fest traveling to them. much more fun.
Holy shit I fucking love daft punk!!!!!!!! It's hard for me not to dance to them at home/in the car. I really haven't seen lamer crowds in my life than during jacket shows. In New Orleans last year, there were a million conversations going on during Carl's super-chill sax solo. But, as most of you know, it's lonely at the top, and cool people don't make up the vast majority of the population. Most people at shows and festivals are:
1) locals that show up cause it's easy and all their friends are going
2) kids that just want to get fucked up
3) dirty wookies with underfed pit bulls
4) kids in tie-dyed shirts that just want to be a part of some scene
5) supercool folks who may/may not like to get fucked up, are primarily there for the music, may or may not sport tie-dyes, use terrible syntax, and are not douche bags (i.e. MMJ forum members, respek)
Quote4) kids in tie-dyed shirts that just want to be a part of some scene
In England there is a secret police task force of sharp shooters whose only mission is to 'take out' kids in tie-dye T-shirts. That's why the UK isn't infected with that horrible disease.
Quotepeople suck at most shows...get over it. I was at Daft Punk and no one was dancing...fans suck. They're there for one show and not the experience. Go to coachella or bonaroo, where people travel to the fest rather than the fest traveling to them. much more fun.
Oh I'm over it....now ;)
And as far as bad audience members are concerned (some of those people are hard to describe as "fans"). Shit, I live in Portland which is the talkiest of music audiences ever (nice new word...talkiest...my english teacher friend would be scolding me right now). But people video taping us without our permission sucks, especially when I feel that they're making fun of us.
I am quite used to people looking and gawking at people getting down at shows. I was one of those kids twirling and dancing in the hallways (and reaching a spiritual connection with music) during Grateful Dead shows back in the days. Been asked some funny-ass questions too!
anyways, ultimately I feel sorry for people who shell out their hard earned money for a show that they never hear, let alone fully experience. But I know that I am having a good time, so you are all right, fuck 'em.
And shit...ACL may not be as cool as Bonnaroo. But me and 8 others flew our asses down to Austin specifically to see MMJ (8 from the NW and 1 from Colorado). Shit, Sticky drove 11 hours! I would have gone to Bonnaroo if MMJ had been there......
ACL was our last chance to see the boys for awhile, no matter the sacrifice.
And we all had the BEST time!
QuoteQuoteI'm surprised no one has mentioned how lame the crowd was. It would have been my favorite show of the festival if the crowd had been into the show at all.
I smell what you're steppin in; the crowd around me was pretty good, most of 'em were there for Dylan but still managed to have an open mind and ultimately they agreed that MMJ was superfantastic. BUT, It wasn't until a few days later I noticed this pic; it was taken I think about 2/3 through the show when Jim commented on what a beautiful sunset it was and how great it was to be there. So I put my camera up pointed it behind me to capture it. The sunset doesn't register very well, but you can see what some people had to say about the show. Probably he was just too overheated and drunk. At least that's what I like to think.
Thanks for posting that pic... I actually found myself in the crowd! No way to dance the way I was smooshed between a really big dude and a bunch of stoned teenagers.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd175/c0gli/MMJ.jpg?t=1190824651)