This past Friday we sent ATG writer David Turner over to Merriweather Post Pavillion to cover the My Morning Jacket/Neko Case show put on by our friends over at the Summer Fordcast Tour, who took over the venue with photobooths, swag and more in true concert fashion. We had a blast working with them on what, as you’ll read below, turned out to be a phenomenal show. Expect to see a video we filmed with them there on ATG in the coming weeks, and don’t forget to sign up for their Ultimate VIP Sweepstakes HERE.

Last Friday marked the tenth time that I ventured into the spiritual experience that is a My Morning Jacket concert. I donned my fan club t-shirt — I don’t hold myself to the inane concert rule of not wearing the performer’s gear — and made my way through Friday traffic to Merriweather Post Pavilion. The band continually impresses me with their frenetic energy, something that is simply unparalleled in music today.  Frankly, there is not a band more on top of their game. They took an enthusiastic crowd, put it on their shoulders, and carried them to undiscovered levels of rock. It was visceral and powerful. It was everything I want out of a concert.

They opened the show with “Victory Dance”, a call to action if I’ve ever heard one. You’re either ready for what’s about to come, or you’re not. They effortlessly moved into “Circuital,” completing the one-two punch that has become a staple of their current tour. But as drummer Patrick Hallahan has noted, “[MMJ]  is really trying to just change up set lists, at least five or six songs every night that are completely different, and trying to dig deeper into the catalog and bring back some oldies and stuff.” And they did not disappoint. It is in this humble writer’s opinion that Friday’s versions of “Dondante”, “Evil Urges” and my personal favorite, “Phone Went West,” were three of the best songs I have ever seen live.  The bass on “Highly Suspicious” pulsated through my body, translating into a surreal out-of-body experience.  I honestly thought I was going to explode.  True to form, they jammed with their opener, Neko Case, on a fantastic version of Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream”.  Neko’s voice really complemented MMJ frontman Jim James’s falsetto. Yet, what I was most impressed with was how much they different they played certain songs on the new album to be more in line with their live experience. The solo on “First Light” was otherworldly.  I am pretty sure guitarist Carl Broemel switched his settings to “destroy.”

They ended with their epic “One Big Holiday,” leaving behind an exhausted but satisfied crowd. The show clocked in at a little over two and half hours but honestly, it’s going to be one that sticks with me for a lot longer. Maybe it’s because we have come to expect these kinds of performances from the boys from Louisville that they have become seemingly routine. They put on one special performance after another. Yet, a unique passion for their craft is obvious in every single entire set. Let us always remain cognizant of the fact that this is a rare and special thing to see. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

STREAM: My Morning Jacket – “Victory Dance”