Andrew McMahon's 'Winter in the Wilderness' leads him home

Andrew McMahon at The Coach House on Dec. 19, 2019.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Who: Andrew McMahon, Ivory Layne
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
When: Thursday, December 19, 2019
Information: andrewmcmahon.com


Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Few artists have blended power pop, indie rock and classic song craft with the grace, power and confidence of singer-songwriter-pianist Andrew McMahon.

First as the leader of pop punk champions Something Corporate (1998-2006) before founding Jack's Mannequin in 2004 and subsequently performing under the moniker of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness beginning in 2014, the Dana Hills High School graduate has carved a musical path firmly anchored by his memorable and deeply-affecting songs.

Over the course of 105 magical minutes on Thursday night (Dec. 19, 2019), McMahon delivered an exhilarating mostly-solo concert before a capacity crowd of adoring fans at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. This was truly a hometown show for McMahon; the Coach House was the first major venue to host a concert from McMahon and his Something Corporate band mates, and the artist lives in nearby Dana Point.

"I'll tell you what, this is where it all began," said McMahon, noting he was a senior in high school when the band performed at the venue in September 1999. 

When McMahon came out on stage at 9 p.m. sharp, he was greeted by thunderous cheers. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by a stage decorated with a Christmas tree on one side and several stockings positioned on a decorative replica of a fireplace mantel shelf where they were hung with care. 

He quickly launched into the beautiful "Caves," a song from his 2008 Jack's Mannequin album The Glass Passenger that offered an honest and striking look at his own battle with cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) following the diagnosis in late 2005. The song found him excavating beautiful notes one moment and unleashing sonic thunder the next from the Baldwin piano that was his constant companion this night.

While "Caves" wouldn't be the only song to deal with such serious material, this was definitely a night about celebration. Indeed, McMahon's next selection ("Fire Escape") was bolstered by a rousing sing-along. The euphoric "Holiday From Real," decidedly darker "I Want to Save You" (with McMahon's wonderful vocals showcased) and reworked take on his joyful "High Dive" were other early-set standouts."Ohio" showcased how McMahon is a master at blending vivid lyrical imagery with compelling storytelling over the course of a song, with the added bonus he can deliver these mini-epics with additional power on a concert stage.

Another powerful song performed in the first half of the set was "The Resolution," another track that addressed the artist's battle with cancer. Seated at his piano and singing out the potent line "I'm Alive / I don't need a witness" was particularly powerful. Even sans backing band, McMahon's talents at the piano and his top-tier vocals provided an all-embracing performance that was palpable.

This was an audience that was engaged from the start, often singing or clapping along in ways that enhanced McMahon's stirring approach. 

McMahon noted he has only written one Christmas song - and this being the holiday season – it was the perfect time to hear the artist talk about the events that gave rise to the creation of 2005's "The Light and Buzz" (he wrote the chorus in his head while recovering in a hospital room). His performance was powerful, with the acoustic piano providing a rich warmth to the yuletide cut.

Ivory Layne, left, with Andrew McMahon at The Coach House.

Nashville-based songstress Ivory Layne – who had kicked off the special night with a 30-minute set of original acoustic-flavored material – joined McMahon during the latter part of his regular set and for part of the encore. The two artists' voices are definitely a perfect fit, and the audience loved those moments for sure (one fan next to me yelled out for the two to record an album together; I'd vote for that too).



The two first sang together on "Dead Man's Dollar," a track off McMahon's 2017 disc Zombies on Broadway. The studio's big choruses didn't suffer from the sparse arrangement; Layne and McMahon lifted their voices triumphantly and the crowd clapped along during key moments. Their harmonies added additional sway.

The wistful "Paper Rain," Jack's Mannequin gem "Dark Blue" and a cover of the Cyndi Lauper hit "Time After Time" were similarly boosted by their tandem talents. 

McMahon ended the regular set alone with his piano, reworking Something Corporate's 2002 alternative rock favorite "I Woke Up in a Car" and his shining 2014 hit "Cecilia and the Satellite" as acoustic showcases.

The wonderful encore was icing on the party to be sure, with a short take on Something Corporate's "Konstantine" and full-length "Walking By" leading up to another duet with Layne (the uptempo "Walking in My Sleep") and night-ending "La La Lie," the latter sing-along-anchored closer preceded by McMahon telling everyone "Thank you for welcoming me home."  


Make sure to read writer George A. Paul's terrific preview of the 'Winter in the Wilderness' concert event on his Music Minded blog here.







Andrew McMahon 'Winter in the Wilderness' Setlist at The Coach House

1. Caves (Jack's Mannequin cover)
2. Fire Escape
3. Holiday From Real (Jack's Mannequin cover)
4. I Want to Save You (Something Corporate cover)
5. High Dive
6. Ohio
7. Cavanaugh Park (Something Corporate cover)
8. The Resolution (Jack's Mannequin cover)
9  The Lights and Buzz (Jack's Mannequin cover)
10. So Close
11. Watch the Sky (Something Corporate cover)
12. Dead Man's Dollar (duet with Ivory Layne)
13. Paper Rain (duet with Ivory Layne)
14. Dark Blue (Jack's Mannequin cover - duet with Ivory Layne)
15. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper cover - duet with Ivory Layne)
16. I Woke Up in a Car (Something Corporate cover)
17. Cecilia and the Satellite

Encore
18. Konstantine (Something Corporate cover)
19. Walking By (Something Corporate cover)
20. Walking in My Sleep (duet with Ivory Layne)
21. La La Lie (Jack's Mannequin cover)