My Morning Jacket Wrap Summer Tour with John Lennon Debut in Berkeley

My Morning Jacket, photo by Stevo Rood

On Friday, Aug. 22, My Morning Jacket stormed the stage at Berkeley, Calif.’s historic Greek Theatre for the final show of their late-summer is Tour. In its 10 prior stops across the coastal and mountain West, the iconic roots-rock ensemble’s latest leg was a constantly thrilling testament to their innovative perspective and bottomless energy after 27 years as prolific artists and road warriors. To close out an awe-inspiring series of performances in the dog days–including a return to Morrison, Colo.’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the first two of five highly anticipated Z 20th anniversary show–the tried and true quintet shared a 21-track set worthy of their tremendous legacy.

My Morning Jacket took the stage on Friday night to the tune of “Out in the Open,” a standout from their recent 10th studio album is, which landed in March. The band’s most recent offering took a backseat in the performance, with only “Time Waited,” “Everyday Magic” and “Die for It” representing their new material after the opening track amid a litany of old favorites. Highlights within that rotation of staples included memorable takes on “Lay Low,” “Honest Man,” “Cobra” and “I Think I’m Going to Hell.”

At the midpoint in their performance, frontman Jim James led his longtime accompanists, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel and keyboardist Bo Koster, outside of their catalog for a debut cover of John Lennon’s “Love.” My Morning Jacket’s distinctive spin on the 1970 John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band essential primed the audience in Berkeley for a surprise sit-in from Melt’s Veronica Stewart-Frommer, who regularly appeared with the band during their shared tour dates. The guest vocalist lent her talents to James’ solo original “Here in Spirit,” then joined the bandleader for their now finely-honed duet on “Holdin On to Black Metal.”

My Mornng Jacket concluded their late summer sprint with a set-closing “Wordless Chorus,” followed by an exceptionally energetic encore of “Librarian,” “Spring (Among the Living)” and “Phone Went West,” the latter two including extended teases of The Beatles’ “Dear Prudence” and Sly & the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” respectively. The band will appear next at Raleigh, N.C.’s Hopscotch Festival on Sept. 5, then set out on their next tour with support from BALTHVS on Oct. 8. Find tickets and more information at mymorningjacket.com.