![]() Upon entering the arena, many were struck by the impressive new light rigs mounted over the stage and crowd – including by my count 22 different disco balls – or mirror balls, as a friend has suggested they are properly called. With this scene set, the evening of Decemin Broomfield was electric with buzz and anticipation for MMJ fans making the trek from near and far. Don Strasburg and his AEG team had a huge challenge ahead of them, but given the timing of band’s announced hiatus and an expanded fanbase since 2012, this was another MMJ fan calculated risk that was likewise rewarded with a run that none in attendance will ever forget. This calculated risk was very much rewarded by what is considered by many as the best 3 night run MMJ has ever delivered. It was a risky move to commit to a relatively small touring band within 3 months of opening the Cap with its 1,800 seats. That epic run was delivered by MMJ superfan and producer Peter Shapiro at his then just opened venue just outside of New York City. ![]() The run and its potential for the band to dig deep into its catalogue and lay down not only rare classics, but also never before played covers brought their fans out from all corners with hopes to match or exceed the no-repeat 3 night run they played leading up to the New Year in December 2012 at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre. Despite all of this, the shows would build up to a packed house on New Year’s Eve with rabid fans not only coming in every night locally, but also from over 42 states and 3 foreign countries (the writer actually conducted a somewhat scientific poll – probably underestimating here).ĭiehard MMJ fans relish multi-night stands, as these are truly the best way to see and hear the essence of this remarkable band. However, and while the New Years’ run was officially announced in August, it has been well in the works since April with AEG Rocky Mountains (more on this later), some added pressure was placed by a somewhat saturated Denver market with Umphrey’s Mcgee also playing 3 nights over the holiday weekend and lots of other musical entertainment options being available in the greater Denver area. Some of the initially slow ticket sales could be attributed to the band’s booking and sales of its 4 th installment of One Big Holiday event produced by Cloud9 Adventures and being held March 2-6, 2018 in the Dominican Republic. 1 st Bank Center, with its 6,500 seat capacity, is a well-tailored but aggressive booking for MMJ to headline – especially for a 3 night run. There were also some behind-the-scenes concerns and industry tension as the 3-night run did not sell out immediately. Creating some tension was a recent announcement by the band that they would not be booking any US dates in 2018 – which brought with it the fanbase realization that there were only 6 MMJ shows remaining before the band would be taking a hard-earned but loosely defined break. James also joined MMJ bass guru Tom Blankenship and lifelong friend and drummer Patrick Hallahan at a fitting hometown tribute to Tom Petty at Louisville’s Headliners on Thanksgiving Eve. Guitar Wizard Carl Broemel also delivered a handful of dates with Steelism and kept busy supporting the bustling Nashville music scene. Front man Jim James was seemingly everywhere with notable appearances with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, an acoustic solo set at Lockn Festival, playing Bob Weir at his Sweetwater Hall set, playing with Phil Lesh and Friends at Sound Summit Festival in Mill Valley, California, along with a handful of charity events leading up to his recent release of A Tribute to 2 covers album. The four month break was a very busy time for the band, with keyboardist Bo Koster notably being picked up to play with Roger Waters. The MMJ Summer tour was considered by many to be a somewhat formulaic final effort to push MMJ’s May 2015 album release The Waterfall, with most of the tour centered in Northeast amphitheaters with early curfews that left many fans hungry for typical longer setlists and deeper cuts. The run was highly anticipated by MMJ’s rabid fanbase for a variety of reasons, the first of which being that the band hasn’t played together since ending their 2017 Summer tour on Augwith a weather-curtailed set at MASS MoCa in Western Massachusetts. My Morning Jacket delivered a strong 3 night run at the 1 st Bank Center located in Broomfield, Colorado – just a short drive North between Denver and Boulder.
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