My Morning Jacket Celebrate Christmas at Madison Square Garden

Posted on Dec 15th 2011 1:10PM by Michael Mehalick
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Cory Schwartz, Getty Images

When Kentucky rockers My Morning Jacket last played Madison Square Garden, they started the show in 2008 and ended it in 2009. Although this New Year's Eve remains a few more weeks in the offing, the band still treated their headlining slot at the "World's Most Famous Arena" as one big holiday. Wrapping up this particular leg of the 'Circuital' tour, My Morning Jacket looked to celebrate the end of a long road Wednesday with a one-off show alongside opener Band of Horses.

2011 has served up mixed fortunes for Band of Horses with a series of large gigs opening for Kings of Leon going by the wayside. As a result, the indie rockers are still somewhat freshly touring behind their third album, 2010's 'Infinite Arms.' Playing to a half-empty arena, Band of Horses dutifully ran through some of their biggest hits including 'No One's Gonna Love You' and 'The Funeral.'

After a brief set change, My Morning Jacket emerged to the chants of 'Circuital' track 'Victory Dance,' transitioning seamlessly into the subsequent title cut. From there on, it was a rush of lights, horns and lead singer Jim James' signature howl.

James then introduced one of the band's "oldest friends.," Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell. The two singers traded verses and harmonized choruses on new My Morning Jacket cut 'Wonderful the Way I Feel.'

A few more songs into the show, it began to become apparent to even the least diligent of previous set-list checkers that My Morning Jacket was mining out more hits and fan favorites than the usual tour stop. The band tore through extended intro jams on 'Dancefloors' and 'Off the Record' as well as eliciting one of the biggest crowd reactions of the night with the rarely played 'Mahgeetah' and the breakdown of 'Run Thru.'

"It is beyond a thrill to be on this holy ground with you again," said James.

The band still had a few more special holiday treats up its sleeve, bringing out former Gil Scott-Heron flautist Brian Jackson for a cover of the poet-songwriter's 'The Bottle.' Then, after now-traditional set closers 'Holdin' on to Black Metal' and 'One Big Holiday,' My Morning Jacket brought out every member of Band of Horses for a special rendition of 'I'll Be Home for Christmas.'

After leading the crowd in a big sing-along, James led the bands toward their dressing rooms and into 2012. Many among the throngs exiting hoping that the new year is just as big as 2011 was for My Morning Jacket.