My Morning Jacket: Z 20th Anniversary Concert Review

My Morning Jacket recently delivered a remarkable performance at Brooklyn Paramount, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal album, Z. This concert was more than just a retrospective; it was a vibrant showcase of the band's enduring talent, blending their classic sound with the introduction of new material.

The setlist was a masterful curation, featuring a full run-through of the beloved 2005 album Z, interspersed with fan favorites and previews of what's to come. Lead singer Jim James captivated the audience with his signature dynamic stage presence, seamlessly transitioning from soulful crooning during tracks like "Wordless Chorus" to powerful guitar solos in "Anytime." Guitarist Carl Broemel also impressed, effortlessly shifting to saxophone for the extended finale of "Dondante." The rhythm section, with Patrick Hallahan's explosive snare work, provided a formidable backbone throughout the performance.

The visual aspect of the show was equally compelling. The lighting design, utilizing old-school LED grids, artfully transformed the stage, at times creating abstract patterns and at others conjuring the iconic owl beak from the Z album cover.

Looking back at Z, its release marked a significant evolution for My Morning Jacket. In an era before genre fluidity was commonplace, the album's shift towards spacey synthesizers, concise song structures, and surreal lyrics led some to dub them "the American Radiohead." This psychedelic exploration proved prescient, influencing many subsequent artists who similarly evolved their rootsy sounds. The concert underscored how Z served as a template for such artistic transformations, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach that resonated with fans then and now.

The concert at Brooklyn Paramount felt particularly poignant in 2025. In a world marked by increasing uncertainty, James's message of peace and love, delivered with sincerity during his brief address to the crowd, felt both timely and essential. He spoke of the band's connection to New York, where Z was recorded, and invited the audience to share in a collective experience of celebration and unity.

The performance highlighted the band's remarkable adaptability. The live rendition of Z felt not just like a faithful reproduction but a reinterpretation, colored by the band's present-day experiences and the current global climate. The introduction of new songs, like the live debut of "The Devil's Peanut Butter" from the deluxe anniversary edition of Z, showcased an organic fusion of their past and future sounds. Even tracks from their latest album, is, hinted at an increasing embrace of sonic exploration.

The iconic stuffed bears, a long-standing visual element for My Morning Jacket, added a symbolic layer to the night, representing a connection to their past that never truly faded. The concert ultimately celebrated the band's ability to remain elastic and adaptable, transforming artistic evolution into a means of sustained fulfillment for both the band and their dedicated audience.

The band's commitment to their expansive sound was evident throughout the encore, culminating in a powerful performance of "Mahgeetah." My Morning Jacket's concert was a testament to their enduring legacy, proving that their music continues to evolve while staying true to its core.

My Morning Jacket Setlist:
Z:
Wordless Chorus
It Beats 4 U
Gideon
What a Wonderful Man
Off the Record
Into the Woods
Anytime
Lay Low
Knot Comes Loose
Dondante

Chills
Where to Begin
Half a Lifetime
The Devil’s Peanut Butter
Squid Ink
Wasted / En La Ceremony / Wasted

Encore:
Tropics (Erase Traces)
Smokin’ From Shootin’
Die For It
Mahgeetah