REVIEW: MJ LENDERMAN AND THE WIND @ ROYALE 10/22

Photo Credit: Paul Yem

Review by By Sadie Shelkey

With excellent storytelling, infectious sound, and his characteristically zany lyrics, MJ Lenderman’s new album “Manning Fireworks” has quickly become one of my favorites this year. Tuesday’s show at Royale was part of Lenderman’s sold-out North American tour as MJ Lenderman & the Wind.

The unseasonably hot fall night proved a welcome surprise as I trekked down Tremont St. to Royale, meeting a buzzing crowd with previously unheard-of mustache-per-capita rates. The show opened with a strong performance from Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band. Despite Davis’ claim that they’re usually more fun during shows, the band’s guitarist coming onstage in full Knicks gear was the bit of the night. It set a playful energy that culminated in a lively set (and a Celtics victory).

The opening song was their weakest, a more stripped-back tune that relied too heavily on lyrics and not enough on the brilliant band patiently waiting for their turns through subdued chords. While I noticed the similar witty turns of phrases that I love in Lenderman’s music, it took until their second number, “Learn to Re-Luv,” for me to fully get on board. “Flashes of Orange” was a personal favorite, and with “Free From the Guillotine,” I felt silly ever having doubts.

At this point, I feel obligated to give a special shout-out to the person crocheting on stage between sets. Keep it up, you’re an inspiration.

With crochet-person back in the wings, Lenderman and the band took the stage with an awkward grace as they fiddled with mics and equipment. Any unease quickly vanished as they started their performance with the new album’s title track, “Manning Fireworks” –the crowd echoing Lenderman’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics they know by heart.

From violin horse noises during this song to a later soprano sax feature, the band was fantastic and full of surprises– perfectly complimenting Lenderman’s subtle performance. Everyone seemed in tune with each other, exchanging nods between verses and jamming through song after song as they moved through “Rudolph,” which ended with an interlude I wish had made it onto the album.

Early in the show, Lenderman mentioned his and many of his bandmates’ Asheville roots. They played “Pianos,” Lenderman’s dreamy, instrumental-heavy contribution to the 136-song compilation “Cardinals at the Window,” released on Bandcamp to benefit Hurricane relief efforts in Western NC.

Lenderman moved through the concert with a well-chosen setlist startlingly similar to my own playlist, “MJ Lenderman!!!” From the more subdued performance of “TLC Cage Match” to an apparently mosh-worthy rendition of “She’s Leaving You,” Lenderman and the crowd seemed to reach what I can only describe as a perfect homeostasis, adjusting to each other’s shifting energies as the music echoed through the full venue.

Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse band retook the stage for the encore, sporting Halloween costumes from gnome to wolfman, beers in hand. Davis killed it, stealing the show as he howled out the verses. Lenderman took the choruses as both bands joined in the celebratory performance. Lenderman kept up the energy as he finished the set with “Tastes Just Like it Costs.”

All in all, this show was one of the best I’ve seen recently. MJ Lenderman & the Wind took Royale by storm, reflecting the character that drew me to “Manning Fireworks” and delivering a phenomenal performance I won’t soon forget.