With all of the auto-tuned and heavily edited studio beats present in modern music, it isn’t every day a band sounds better live than on iTunes. Louisville rock group My Morning Jacket however not only sound better live, they sound like an entirely different and improved group. The band came to the nTelos Wireless Pavilion on July 21 while on tour to promote their new album “The Waterfall.” The band captivated Charlottesville audiences, as each and every song they performed came with the type of energy and passion that could hypnotize anyone within earshot.
Following a lackluster opening by Lizzo, a female rapper who entirely failed to connect with the audience, My Morning Jacket rocked their way through “Believe (Nobody Knows).” They quickly gained the audience’s full attention. That focus did not waiver for the next two and a half hours as the group jammed without a break until briefly stepping off stage prior to their four-song encore.
The band did not even stop in between songs to catch their breath and speak to their audience for a moment -- there was always somebody playing even as the other band members stopped to take a sip of water or swap out instruments. Drummer Patrick Hallahan used one of these pauses to deliver a bone-rattling solo that threatened to blow the roof off of the Pavilion. The crowd’s support rang through the air louder and louder as the solo picked up speed until Hallahan crashed the cymbals for the last time, releasing the tension building up to his finale. The audience had about four seconds to stop and reflect on the skill and passion they just witnessed before the group jumped into their next piece. This concert was an absolute musical rollercoaster.
A major part of what made this show so phenomenal was the versatility that the band displayed, both in musical style and in talent. My Morning Jacket showed aspects of indie-rock, jam band, classic rock and psychedelic music in their set. They even dropped in some electronic flair toward the end, contrasting with the acoustic music in earlier parts of the concert.
In the process of seamlessly shifting from one style to another, the band members frequently brought new instruments into the mix. Guitarist Carl Broemel himself played the guitar, steel guitar, saxophone and performed vocals.
While each member of the band is extremely talented in his own way, no review of My Morning Jacket would be complete without a thorough praise of Jim James. The lead singer enthralled the audience with his smooth vocals and instrumental versatility, playing both guitar and a soundboard throughout the show. He bears a startling resemblance to Jerry Garcia with his long, unruly hair, but brings his own sound and style.
One of the more touching moments of the concert came when James performed an acoustic version of the song “Wonderful (The Way I Feel).” The crowd swayed calmly in unison, interrupting James with screams of approval as he hit the higher notes of the song.
My Morning Jacket united an extremely diverse group of people through the message of love carried in each of their songs. The group’s music was so captivating, the audience had no choice but to forget all of life’s worries and just enjoy the unforgettable show in what would otherwise have been an ordinary Charlottesville Tuesday night.
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