Concert review: Mt. Joy at The Orange Peel
On a wet and dreary Friday night in Asheville, the calm chatter of people waiting to get into The Orange Peel is dampened by the cool Fall rain. The excitement is permeating as they wait for the doors to swing open, granting access to LA-based folk-rock outfit Mt. Joy, accompanied tonight by the South Carolina natives of Susto.
Cold from the weather, fans pour into the warm atmosphere inside the historic venue. Mt. Joy’s signature banner hangs proudly behind the stage with a cool purple lighting set to transfix attendees as they enter. Within no time, the space is packed with smiling youthful Ashevillians holding craft beers and finding their place amongst the amoeba of familiar strangers.
After an energetic performance from Susto (a set that warrants its own full review), Mt. Joy appears from the side of the stage. The sold-out crowd goes wild as the band immediately kick into an energetic version of its song “Sheep,” The fans are singing loudly, the band is tight, and it looks like tonight is going to be a memorable affair.
As the band dives a little deeper into its set, the musicians’ high energy playing style is illuminated by a string of Edison bulbs strewn about the stage, adding to the charm of their warm folk-inspired songwriting. Putting forth a cavalier demeanor while they perfectly execute “I’m Your Wreck” and “Bigfoot,” tonight they’re showing us all that these charismatic songs can immediately capture our attention and that this band is even better live than on its studio albums. The energy is infectious.
The momentum continues without interruption as Mt. Joy launches into a warmly welcomed take on “Astro Van” where the fans join in, singing beloved lines referencing Jerry Garcia, a doobie-smoking Jesus, and some simply phrased statements on mortality: “Maybe there is no heaven/Maybe we’re all alone together/Jesus drives an Astro van.” The crowd seems to be loving the light-hearted heat that this band is basking us all in as we find our unity in these simple yet provocative words and (loudly) sing along.
Scintillating in the newfound friendships of the fans around them, the crowd is treated to the premiere of a few new songs that show promise for another great album in the works from this fantastic band. After those debuts, the group presents a stripped-down version of “Younger Days,” in which Matt Quinn (vocals/guitar) and Jackie Miclau (vocals/keys) perform in a duo arrangement that hauntingly echoes through the awestruck audience and allows for a more personal side of the band to shine through.
Before starting “Jenny Jenkins,” Quinn reflects on what a long, strange trip it’s been for him and his bandmates since they last played in Asheville — a mere year ago at The Grey Eagle. Since then, they’ve had a number of successful songs, single releases, and a tour that’s propelled them into the sold-out show at hand. The line, “You know I wouldn’t change things, even if I made it,” seems to be a more truthful sentiment now than it ever has been for this stellar group of musicians as they play through this heartwarming tune.
As the night burns on, Mt. Joy is in no rush to stop the incredible energy that’s flowing. The songs meld into one another in a well-thought-out setlist that showcases each of the member’s evolving talents. Their newest release, “Rearrange Us,” kicks into a slower, easier groove that carries the crowd through a euphoric ’80s retrofit and brings forth the band’s new disco-like sound that somehow seamlessly blends with its sentimental hits. Showing off guitarist Sam Cooper’s stellar and tight playing style laid perfectly over Michael Byrnes’ funky, in-the-pocket style grooves on the bass, it all just seems like effortless maneuvers for this group of friends who jam in such a fresh and organic way that you can’t help but feel elated while watching.
The most noteworthy part of the show, however, is the band’s incorporation of mash-ups. First, the players meld their way into a unique take on The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize,” which leaves us all on the echoing refrain, “Do you realize, that everyone you know, someday will die” — a poetic and powerful interpretation of the original song that’s still haunting me.
Later on in the set, the band mashes their own song “Julia” into a Rhodes piano-driven jam that digresses its way through Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” then again morphs into “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz before settling in its final resolution back to the original “Julia.” Trust me, it’s fucking awesome. These song choices show the band’s roots and creativity when it comes to challenging themselves after a long tour, and indeed showcases their immense talent when it comes to getting down with a good groove — of which there was absolutely no shortage.
I wish I could say that the mashups are the highlight of the show, but it definitely comes from the incredible performance of Mt. Joy’s final song, “Silver Lining.” Even in its original, beautiful, faithfully-presented form, there’s something so compelling about this tremendous song. The crowd is well warmed up at this point, and many attendees sound ecstatic while screaming the lyrics as the band takes us down a familiar path to wrap up this incredible show and walk off stage to roaring applause.
The crowd’s chants for “one more song” are in time granted and we’re again treated to a new song and a whistled ending to “Cardinal.” The tune reminds us that “everything’s exactly where it needs to be” and I believe that we’re all feeling in just the right place, at just the right time that night while they graciously bow out and leave the stage.
(Photos by Nick Gonnering)
