I completely agree. This performance was unlike any other show I've seen before, and I've seen some great bands live. Most groups who I tend to enjoy seeing live focus on improvisation. While MMJ does improvise to a certain extent, most of the stuff they play live is written. The thing is though, while most artists will play through their songs in concert, this is not what Jim James and MMJ do at all. MMJ tells their audience a story, they communicate with the audience, and their passion can be sensed strongly. The intro with "wish upon a star" playing as MMJ walked onto the stage was perfect, as many who attended Bonnaroo would return to their campsites in the hills of Tennessee and glare at the clear sky of what seemed to be billions of stars. The opening, Wordless Chorus, brought the crowd into a new world, with MMJ's beautiful sonic textures floating through the air as the crowd sang along with Jim James' falsetto cries. There isnt a single thing that I could say about this show that is negative, although there was that one crazy guy next to me doing blow for 2 hours straight who frightened me very much. This performance is pure, raw, organic beauty.

favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite

I'm going to have to go ahead and say it. This was by far one of, if not the greatest show I have ever seen by any artist. I've seen my fair share of shows in my 23 years, and for contemporary artists I've seen the required artists. But one look at this show's set list and you know its something good.



For one, the band connected with the audience instantly. As JJ's voice crescendoed, the crowd seemed to swell and erupt in a sort of rapture that is rare for artists today. It's not the excitement of teenage twenty something girls at a Dave Matthews show. Instead it's a connection that seems to invade each person in the audience, something you could feel coming out of those around you and it swept you up with it. All this was evidenced by the drifters and rogues who wandered around the fields surrounding the stage. Most of them weren't MMJ fans, but if you asked them why they skulked over, their answer seemed to echo something along the lines of "i'm not sure...i just heard the crowd go wild"



The show left me with something more than a deeper appreciation for a band already in my top 5. They may have surpassed Wilco as a modern favorite...and could be the greatest live act touring right now.

- June 29, 2006What A Wonderful Show