u/rocsnobster

This was my sixth MMJ show. They are my favorite group. Top 100 Apple Music listener type of listener. I always liked them—my brother was a huge fan and I listened in college occasionally—
but it wasn’t until my first show in 2023 that I actually ‘got it.’

The instrumental talent of these guys in combo with Jim’s voice howling into the night that first show made me feel every peripheral nerve in my body. I had been skeptical of a lot of live music in the past because I never felt like artists were truly capable of matching what they made in studio. MMJ was somehow better than that.

My favorite show was in Chattanooga a couple of years ago mainly because I went alone and was up against the rail just fully immersed in it all. Until last night. I do not know how more people are not talking about this show.

Living in WNY my whole life and now Rochester you become self conscious at times of your background, the rap your city gets, and you almost wear the misfortune of the Buffalo Bills on your sleeve. You can imagine I was expecting a somewhat tame performance from MMJ in *Rochester, NY.* Wrong.

They walked out to the same opening orchestra and the setlist came out swinging. Bo, you are a sick, sick puppy. Spring absolutely crushed. The security guard in front is already head banging. Jim’s voice was pure. They were fresh. I was blown away by what they had. Maybe it was a one off. I’ve admittedly become the fan that I am while MMJ was (technically) past their prime and it makes me weary of when I’ll show up and maybe get a show that I could take or leave. But are they even close to past their prime?

Touch me pt. 1 and the feeling was still immaculate. How are they doing this? Then Laylow. A personal favorite because of what that guitar sounds like live. Then Phone Went West for song four? I don’t want to jinx it at this point but the setlist is headed in a direction that’s hard to maintain.

A smooth leveling off with Golden was a nice come down. Followed by an emotional rendition of I will sing you songs. Followed by that acoustic opening of Im Amazed that could legitimately bring tears to your eyes when you feel the lyrics in the times we are living in. I saw them do this at Red Rocks last summer and prayed that they would do it again. Total blessing.

Circuital is Circuital. What can you even say? All I can add is that Carl was next. Fucking. Level. We were so privileged to watch that.

My personal favorite moment was the outro on Dancefloors. It somehow built and built and built until Bo had a sick look on his face and the crowd’s faces were in puddles at our feet. If someone has a video of this please post it somewhere.

Whatever the light designers/technicians did at the end of Victory Dance was new and insane. Definitely needed that epilepsy warning like you’re streaming an HBO original show with strobe lights because it made you feel like you were floating. This random guy 6 rows ahead is winding his arm in a circle like he’s swinging a lasso or signaling a home run in an overzealous manner but it was like he was rounding up Jim’s energy to build up that end. It was fucking sweet.

Karina Rykman brought a really fun energy to the last few songs. She fit in like some missing puzzle piece and really brought it with the crew. That was a treat.

Ending on Mageetah was phenomenal. I can still hear Jim howling. I can still see the look of a serial killer on Bo’s face knowing he concocted a set that should be forever remembered by the fine people of Rochester. I can see Patrick’s arms in the air, paused and ready to beat the shit out of the drums to close out the song. I can still see Tom bouncing around and smiling. And how could you forget Carl. He was possessed and there is simply not enough credit in the world to give his guitar.

Again, I don’t know how more people aren’t talking about this. Sorry for the essay but that was the greatest show I’ve seen them play and I don’t know how it could be topped. If you weren’t there, I’m sorry. All I can say is thank you MMJ for bringing that to Rochester, NY. Love you guys