Show Review: Andrew McMahon Brings His Piano To The Cave
Andrew McMahon playing to a full house in Big Bear.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JAZMIN LEMUS
If you’re from Southern California, how often is there a show up in Big Bear that intrigues you to actually go to? Not too often. When Andrew McMahon announced the “Andrew McMahon and His Piano” tour, I knew it would be a unique show. Just him, a piano, and no backup band. I believe the last time I had the opportunity to catch an intimate show like that was in the early 2010s at the Atticus store (now closed) on Melrose? I could be way off. He had played just a few songs that time and little did fans know at the time that Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness was going to be his next project.
On Friday, December 20th, I left work early to catch the rock gig up in the mountains. To kick off the show, was Ivory Layne, whom opened for Andrew throughout the tour. Sadly, Big Bear would also be her last show with him. She was extremely charming and won the crowd over instantly with her talent and humor. Her songs such as “Boy Loves Me” and “God Save The Queens” reminded me a little bit of Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, and Feist? Although Ivory only had a 7 song set, she made an fun impact with her last song when she performed “Stalking My Ex’s Instagram” to the tune of “Winter Wonderland.” Anyone who was new to her music and performance probably didn’t see that coming. I know I didn’t, but I indeed laughed out loud.
I’m normally not a fan of seeing setlists posted online from previous shows when I’m about to see an artist. It was no different this time, but prior to the show, I did hear that Andrew was changing the setlist throughout the tour. Thinking about the discography he has had throughout his career, anything was fair game during these shows. One thing was for sure though; the crowd would hear songs from all of his projects.
Andrew started the set with “Synesthesia” off of Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness EP and immediately went old school and played “Holiday From Real” (Jack’s Mannequin) and “I Want To Save You” (Something Corporate). As soon as I heard the first note off “I Want To Save You”, I didn’t think it could get better than that. Out of all his projects, Something Corporate is my favorite so hearing SoCo songs that he rarely plays solo or with the band, is a true gem. When I thought he was done delivering Something Corporate goodness, he went off to play “She Paints Me Blue” and “Straw Dog”. Out of the three SoCo songs mentioned so far, “Straw Dog” is probably the one I’ve heard him play live the most, and yet, it’s still as awesome as it was the first time I heard it live.
Andrew knew how to mix things up and as he threw in older songs, he also couldn’t leave out his newer material. In the mix, he also played “High Dive,” “Ohio”, “Maps For The Getaway”, “Dead Man’s Dollar”, and “Paper Rain” from his Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness project. But there’s more. How can we forget about Jack’s Mannequin? Fans got to hear “The Mixed Tape” and “Dark Blue,” joined by Ivory Layne.
Two highlights that I cannot fail to leave out. As always, there were a few fans in the crowd (some quite buzzed may I add), that kept insisting on hearing him play Something Corporate’s “Konstantine”. In the years I have seen him play (solo or full band), I’ve heard him play Konstantine live when he’s done the Dear Jack Benefit show in Los Angeles. Never have I witnessed him cave in, but he did. Well kinda. He played a snippet of “Konstantine” for the Big Bear crowd; enough to suffice all the requests he kept receiving throughout the night. Immediately following “Konstantine”, Andrew was joined by Ivory as they both performed Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”. After Andrew and Ivory wrapped up their duets, he continued with more fan favorites: “Cecilia and the Satellite” and “La La Lie” before getting off stage…and then returning for the encore.
To conclude the night, Andrew performed two songs for the encore: “Swim” (which was dedicated to a warrior from the Dear Jack Foundation who happened to be in attendance) and Fire Escape, a song that became a super fan favorite when it became a single.
All in all, this show was a great show to attend in Big Bear. Even though the room could hold around 700 people, it still felt like a much smaller show. The stage setup and vibe that Ivory Layne brought from the get-go, it was guaranteed to be a fun show.
If you have yet to see Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, please do yourself a favor and see him on tour with AWOLNATION this May and June!
And as always, I will leave you with the latest tunes of each performer. Here’s the latest from Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and Ivory Layne on Spotify.
