Andrew McMahon, call me...

Last night I went to my first Wolf Trap concert and it definitely lived up to the hype. In addition to the venue, I was very excited about the bands that were booked: Guster, my favorite high school/college band and Jack’s Mannequin my current love since I first saw them by mistake at Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI about five years ago. The show also reaffirmed my school-girl crush on Jack’s Mannequin frontman Andrew McMahon. So I will start with the bands…

First up was the opening band that actually wasn’t half bad, Lady Danville. Then next was Jack’s Mannequin. Love. Andrew McMahon former frontman of Something Corporate is Jack’s Mannequin, songwriter, pianist and singer. And yet again he and his band did not disappoint. They went from song to song with zero breaks, the occasional commentary but never slowed down for a minute. As I am somewhat removed from the music scene here in DC, I was very excited when Andrew announced that Jack’s Mannequin was coming out with a new album on October 4. One song in particular, “Hostage”, I am very much looking forward to being released.

For those who have seen a Jack’s Mannequin show in the past, can appreciate Andrew trying to get the crowd excited like he was going to break out into a Snoop Dogg ditty or get crazy like we should be banging our heads and then he would sit down and start tickling the ivories. I think that effect is hilarious and wonderful. And he was definitely up to his usual antics of jumping off the piano and even did a balance beam walk along the orchestra pit wall in to the audience. He even had Kate there for a moment when he was playing the harmonica at the end but then he started dancing around in his skinny jeans and he lost her. Personally I loved his vocal performance and theatrics.

  

After a 20 minute break, next on stage was Guster. The band was definitely a little different then I had remembered from the past. I am not sure when it was that I last saw Guster in concert. This much I do know, the last album I had purchased was released in 2003. The single from that album was “Amsterdam” which was now mainstream on the radio.

Yes, Brian still played the drums by hand to most of their songs and yes, they broke out a number of older songs. But, there definitely was a different sound. There was a second percussion player that would come and go and at one point I felt like shouting “more cowbell” to his random shaking instruments but I noticed that there was a permanent new band member that joined in 2010 that definitely contributed to the new sound. I don’t know how best to describe the change, it was more jazzed up and somewhat sounded like they added a synthesizer which is a long way from the acoustic show I saw in OH over ten years ago. I still loved the classics that they sang and found a couple of new songs to enjoy—one in particular was “Manifest Destiny.” It’s kind of sad how I lost track of them over the years.

My favorite Guster moment was when frontman Ryan Miller talked directly to his mom who was in the audience as he is from Baltimore about her suggestions for the show. After trying her idea he comments “I’m a 38 year old man working out his mommy issues in front of four thousand people.” It was great seeing Guster perform again. It was like visiting an old friend where you still love them and they definitely hold a special place in your heart but you notice how much the two of you have changed over the years.

The audience was a very vanilla one comprised of men and women of all ages. There were definitely more women singing along to Jack's Mannequin. But then there was that guy in front of us who knew all the words to every Jack’s Mannequin song and was definitely the dancer of the couple too. I think he was part of the small majority that actually dragged his girlfriend to this show. I noticed during Guster’s set that the two of them had disappeared. Although, I would love to give it to myself, he wins the Jack’s-Mannequin-Super-Fan award.

Bonus fact on both bands, they both have causes that they raise funds for and dedicate their time to. For Jack’s Mannequin it is leukemia for personal reasons. And for Guster it is green initiative campaign. So much so that even original member, Adam Gardner, started an organization geared towards touring bands travel in a eco-friendly manner. Sorry, just a few fun side facts.

But now let me focus on the venue, as I have seen both bands perform in the past. The venue, Wolf Trap, was brand new for me. I have wanted to see a show here since I moved in to town over a year ago. And after last night, I can't believe this was my first show. It is fabulous. It is set in a national park in Virginia—the first national park for the performing arts. Over the summer it houses bands and even theatre performances from May through September. For those from Chicago, it is similar to Ravinia in that there is a large grass area where you can sit, bring your own food, booze and sit on a blanket. But, the actual music venue, Filene Center, is quite incredible. It is an all wood venue fashioned to create amazing acoustics. Since this was my first show, and I do love these bands, we ladies opted to actually sit in the theatre. Row M seats 27 and 28...remarkable center seats with a fabulous view. This might be the most magnificent venue I have been at to see a show. Yes, Solider Field and Wrigley are fantastic but they felt huge. And House of Blues is fabulous but sometimes feels rather small. This while somewhat large (over 7,000 capacity) felt very intimate and while under a roof there was still the obvious presence of nature and a breeze from the sides.

Yes, I highly recommend going out to Wolf Trap to see a show. I hope I can return again soon. Back to this particular show, to conclude the night Ryan announces that the band will go off stage for 17 seconds and then return for their encore. Very amusing. Andrew from Jack’s Mannequin returns to the stage with Guster and has clearly showered since his set which Ryan Miller does not hesitate to point out. Together they do a Guster number and then the last song of the night they performed was a cover of “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John sung by Ryan and Andrew together with Guster. It was an excellent choice for both of their sounds and personalities. And so like I started, I end, Andrew McMahon, call me...