Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Hunter Hunted
Fall Tour 2014
October 26th, 2014
Uptown Theatre
Kansas City, Missouri
How are you supposed to write a review on your favorite musician? Do you want to read a review on a total fan boy experience, do you want to read a review with me nitpicking everything about the show, or do you want me to just sling the verbiage that I normally do? Andrew McMahon is truly a gift that was given to music and on Oct. 26th in Kansas City, MO I got the chance to be behind the rail and take pictures of the man who has helped me through some of the hardest times of my life. So here is the deal, I am just going to write this review from the heart. If you enjoy it, thank you, if you don’t, then I’m sorry for wasting your time.
The weekend of this show was an amazing weekend. Went to some amazing haunted houses with my sister, my lady, and my new family. Went and rode roller coasters at Worlds of Fun at their Halloween Haunt (review coming). Ate Steak and Shake and saw a fantastic show. Pretty wonderful weekend, huh? It sure was to a farm boy from the Midwest. Now the Halloween stuff is coming but for this review we are just going to focus on the Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. I have been so deeply drawn in by Andrew and all the bands he has ever been in. From his early pop punk days, to starting a marvelous foundation fighting against young adult cancer, the Dear Jack Foundation, and now to finally having the girl of his dreams and being the father to the girl he has only ever dreamed of, he has given me something to grow with. When he was singing about girls, I was in the same boat. When he was strong, he kept me strong. Now that he is looking at his life from a different angle, I get to take part in seeing him truly happy.
Sorry. Got a little off track fan-boying out there for a second. Time to talk about the show. The crowd was a little on edge in KC that night to say the least. Their hometown Royals were in a touchy World Series game against the Giants and the KC fans needed an outlet. Lucky for them, Hunter Hunted and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness were there to save the day. After an amazing set from Hunter Hunted, it was time for AMitW to take the stage. Seeing the Baldwin on stage made all the hairs on my arms stand up. They hit the stage with the power of a hurricane. As the first few piano notes of “All Our Lives” from his new self titled album rang throughout the room, the pop was amazing from the crowd. He played some truly amazing songs through his set. Some songs I grew up with from Something Corporate, songs I needed from Jacks Mannequin, and songs I was excited to hear from his new album. Mixing humor into his set is something he normally does but that night he was truly on point. He had the crowd laughing, singing, and crying all within a 17 song set. Then it was over. But if you have ever been to rock show, you know they would be back and sure enough they came back and played a few more amazing tracks.
As I got in the car and made the three hour drive home, I had a few hours to reflect on the show a bit. It was so perfect; I couldn’t handle it and may or may not have let a tear run down my face. Saying it was an ideal weekend would be a stretch but saying it is a weekend I will never forget is true. If you need to send lyrics to a girl in a Facebook message, use Andrew’s lyrics. If you need something to help you see the end of the long, rough tunnel, let Andrew be your flashlight. Yes, I am a fan, a huge one at that. If you couldn’t tell. If you want to learn more about Andrew McMahon, you can check him out at http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/.
Thanks for your time and letting me tell you this story. I promise the next one will be less emo but damn it, I am allowed to feel my feeling at least once or twice. And I know he will never read this review, but if he does, awesome, if not, I will write this to you guys… Thank you, for everything. Later y’all
