Photos By: DaveΒ Phillipich
By: Corey McComb
October 19, 2015 // SDSU Open Air Theatre
People were still filing down the stairs and looking for their seats when Jim James strutted out on stage in dark glasses and a black cape. He didnβt need to wait for anyone as the true fans were already waiting patiently for the opening chords of βMahgeetahβ to ring out.
WhileΒ My Morning JacketΒ has been renting a special, southern kind of penthouse in my musical heart for years, they are not my favorite band; but they are my friend Daveβs. These are his photos. Right now, heβs getting his face melted off behind a camera lense that is pointed three feet away from his rock nβ roll idols. Even though heβs seen MMJ perform four times in the last four weeks, when he returns to our seats heβs giving off a possessed vibe that only over-priced beer and a favorite-band-of-all-time can bring out in a man. Itβs a kind of madness.
βHavenβt heard this song live yet this yearβ, Dave says. The band doesnβt wait to dig through deep pockets of songs and within the first 30 minutes the set is already career spanning. New songs off their latest album The WaterfallΒ such as, βCompound Fractureβ and βSpringβ mix in with old obscure jams that have even the most devoted followers like Dave second guessing what album theyβre off.
James speaks to the crowd only once, βThanks for doing whatβs right and standing up on a Monday nightβ. While Daveβs feelings are partially hurt that the show isnβt completely sold out, those of us that are here can bare witness to the wide discography blending magic that doesnβt just span a career, but all the seasons. Summer jams like βWordless Chorusβ flow not long before βXmas Curtainβ offers up all the sentiments of winter and brings the performance full circle.
Jameβs falsetto soars to the top of the pine trees of the Open Air Theater. Dave is rain dancing and matching guitarist Carl Broemel note for note via air guitar. Heβs shouting song titles at me that he thinks are coming next like a quarterback at the line of scrimmage. Just as I fear that not hearing one more song would rob him of his last breath, βOne Big Holidayβ kicks in and closes out the night.
My Morning Jacket is the band that, even after 17 years, plays every night for itβs true fans and keeps it fresh every time. Itβs their mystery that brings out the madness, and tonight was a night for the die hards.
On the drive home, Dave reaches for his CD case and puts in the My Morning Jacket live album.