May 31 , 2006 - Orlando, FL - Jack's Mannequin played to a sold out crowd Wednesday night at the House of Blues. Two opening bands started the show promptly at 8:00 p.m. The first group was Monty Are I [out of Providence, RI] and was followed by Cute Is What I Aim For. Each played an entertaining 45 minute set, setting the stage for
Jack's Mannequin.
There were drums and guitar but one man and his piano stole most of the show. That man was lead singer Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Jack's Mannequin.
As soon as he stepped on stage and started performing, girls were screaming, guys were crowd surfing, and his swift piano playing fingers were enticing them to jump up and down and sing along at the top of their lungs. It was remarkable to see him doing so well after being diagnosed with Lymphatic Leukemia a year earlier.
The bands set list was in the same order as the tracks from their debut album "Everything In Transit" released August 23, 2005. "Holiday From Real" and "The Mixed Tape" were the first two songs, with the pumped up crowd singing back the choruses and dancing along. "The Mixed Tape" is a song about a man who regrets the things he did in his relationship and wishes he had her back. The music he makes keeps his mind on what they had, and what he lost, saying, "where are you now, where are you now." The band didn't disappoint the SoCo fans. The crowd brought out the lighters and swayed back and forth as Andrew played the piano and sang "The Astronaut" and Cavanaugh Park".
During the breakdown on part one of "Made for Each other" He stoked the crowd by singing a cover of U2's "With or Without You". The audience went crazy over it.
The band came out for a final hoorah with a cover of the Tom Petty classic "American Girl". The concert had a special place in McMahon's heart. "This is a very special day for me. Last year at this time I was diagnosed with leukemia, and tonight I am playing in front of 2100 people."
It's refreshing to see such a talented young man with the amazing ability of writing such poignant lyrics and he can just as easily quiet a room as he can turn up the volume. Jack's Mannequin is Andrew's story that he is offering to fans that are willing to just listen and be carried through his world. It is one heck of a road trip and one should be prepared for this awe striking performance.
Jack's Mannequin is made up of Andrew McMahon on lead vocals and piano, Bobby Anderson on back up vocals and guitar, Jon Sullivan on bass, and Jay McMillan on drums. Their 2006 tour continues with a west coast swing in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Can't get enough Jack's Mannequin? Visit their website at JacksMannequin.com.
To sample music log onto: myspace.com/jacksmannequin.
Concert Review by Todd Grasley and Liz Fernandez - Copyright © 2006 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved. |
