My Morning Jacket were a true rock experience from the very first note of “The Dark.” From the lights to the powerful rhythm section to Jim James’ vocals, My Morning Jacket were pitch perfect at Williamsburg Park.
On the back of touring for several solid records, My Morning Jacket have developed the reputation as a special live act. In Brooklyn, they more than lived up to those lofty expectations. The show was also driven by the fans who helped curate the sets during this tour.
Read more of the night, including photos of My Morning Jacket and Shabazz Palaces after the jump.
In New York, MMJ have a devoted following and years of memorable show. Either the three-hour Madison Square Garden show or their five night run at Terminal 5 playing each of their albums, fans have come to expect greatness and once again were rewarded greatly for their dedication.
Maybe it is on the strength of acts like MMJ and Jane’s Addiction but Williamsburg Park is growing on me. It is still a concrete cube with zero views of the city, industrial buildings surrounding the place and the only contrast to the blandness is the sky above (and below) you, but give credit to the sound production. My Morning Jacket sounded fantastically large, sweeping in its musical depth and tonally rich.
Hearing James’ guitar squeal out to punctuate a bridge or watching Carl Broemel pull off a solo building off his bandmates, everything was tight, nothing was muddy and each note holding power and meaning. It was the best way to experience a band as good as MMJ.
As a concert, MMJ can make the largest spaces feel intimate. “Mahgeetah” was an emotional roar from the band that culminated in a rousing jam. At the height of excitement, MMJ reign it in with the quiet but emotionally intense “Dondante.” It is two sides of the same coin really, displaying the range of depth and vitality of raw emotion that loud and quiet can convey. Music does not need to beat you over the head to prove how powerful it can be.
The set itself was a treat for longtime fans as My Morning Jacket played plenty from older albums and only a few tracks from Evil Urges. For the encore, the band continued to surprise and delight. First up was James’ acoustic “I Will Be There When You Die” as well as two covers, George Harrison’s “Isn’t It a Pity” and Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man.” My Morning Jacket were helped on the Harrison cover by Dean Wareham, from Galaxie 500, Luna and Dean & Britta.
For a two hour set, My Morning Jacket covered a lot of territory and doubtlessly left fans reeling and jubilant. I expect the same highs from their three night run in December at Port Chester, continuing the tradition of great New York shows.
My Morning Jacket Setlist
The Dark
Outta My System
Circuital
Gideon
Lay Low
Mahgeetah
Dondante
War Begun
It’s About Twilight Now
Run Thru
Off The Record
Holdin On To Black Metal
Phone Went West
Smokin From Shootin
Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2
Good Intentions
Encore:
I Will Be There When You Die (Jim James Acoustic)
Isn’t It A Pity (George Harrison cover w/ Dean Wareham)
Victory Dance
Wordless Chorus
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (Prince cover)
One Big Holiday
My Morning Jacket at Williamsburg Park
Shabazz Palaces
