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Biography
So, what exactly do you do after you’ve fronted two of the most revered and respected cult acts of your generation? That’s the question that Andrew McMahon found himself asking at the end of 2012, when his previous solo project Jack’s Mannequin were in the process of splitting up, and had played their final shows as a band over two nights at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre in November 2012. However, since the previous month people who had tried to access the Jack’s Mannequin website were redirected to a new website, confirming that McMahon was still going to be releasing music, it was just going to be under his own name in the future. It also announced his first solo live dates, first supporting Fun. and then heading off on his own headlining dates around the country.
McMahon’s debut solo release came at the end of April the following year, when his debut E.P “The Pop Underground” was released. However, more of 2013 was spent writing songs for NBC’s hit Broadway musical drama Smash than anything else. This all changed come 2014 however, when in July he announced that his debut solo album would be released under the name Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness. The self-titled record was released two months later, and ever since then McMahon has continued to be one of the most vital songwriters of his generation. Able to maintain his rabid fan-base no matter what form his music comes in, and we all know how fickle fan-bases can be. It’s a testament to their belief in him, and his skill as a musician and songwriter, that he continues to be as respected and loved as he’s always been. For that, Andrew McMahon comes highly recommended.
Live reviews
Andrew McMahon is one of the most humble artists, always surprised by how much he is loved, but even he cannot deny how wonderfully his music is progressing. I have loved his work since the days of Something Corporate in the early 2000's and the new songs that we were treated with were some of the best music I have ever heard in my life. I cannot stress enough that I am not exaggerating.
Andrew McMahon has grown up significantly through the various events in his life and his music has changed with him. The shift from delightful piano pop punk in Something Corporate to a more piano laden Jack's Mannequin was enough to prepare you for the idea that Andrew is very versatile. However, that difference was just the beginning. McMahon has been experimenting with his band again, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, and the result is strong piano chords that are backed up with a sound that cannot be denied. The new music will impress you, there is no other way to say it. I would say that the new songs are a realization. His past has been a rocky one, and we as listeners and fans are lucky to still have him. Many of his old songs have been slightly edited by the artist to truly drive home the emotion of the time that they were written. I believe that this is Andrew admitting that the past was hard, but it has been survived. The backdrop that this gives his new work is empowering. "Cecilia and the Satellite" is written to his newborn daughter, a song of love, hope, and a wonderful future.
My favorite aspect of seeing Andrew McMahon now is that he does not ignore the path we took as fans to love him. He plays a variety of songs from Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin with a sprinkling of new work written with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. This has the unique advantage of getting to see three amazing bands at once. There is no way to accomplish that with any other band you might see.
In short, if you are given the chance... do not hesitate. Andrew McMahon has an amazing gift and he will not disappoint.
thefireisinside337
First of all, I have been an Andrew McMahon fan for literally half of my life. I was in high school when me and my best friend saw Something Corporate perform on the side stage for a Blink-182 show (when I was 15 or 16, you do the math :|) We ended up crazy obsessed with them for the duration of their existence as a band.
Of course a few years later after an amazing Something Corporate reunion at Bamboozle (which I of course attended with the afore mentioned bestie) Andrew's career kind of took a surprising turn.
I saw the show at Solana Beach tonight with the intention of being more excited for Haerts, as I had never seen them and have been listening to & loving them since before the 2015 lineup was even announced. Well. Haerts is on super early on Friday and, I may regret this later (because I want to be front and center!) but you needto make them a priority. Her voice is fucking angel jizz. It's amazing. She was flawless and just beautiful.
As for Andy, as a longtime fan he never disappoints. This time was exceptional, though. He had huge balloons in the crowd and an elementary school style parachute pumping up and down over the crowd for when he came down from the stage to sing with the masses. Of course he ended up on a bench in my face and I may have sexually assaulted him, but that's besides the point. Also, it isn't the first time. Like I said, we go way back.
jessica-perham
I thought I like Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness until I went to his concert. I never thought this guy would actually be able to play for more than an hour. He played for almost two hours and most of his songs sound the same, there are about 4 or 5 songs that actually sound good but the rest are just lame, after 30 minutes the concert became boring. At the same time, there were a LOT of drunk girls screaming the whole concert and bumping with us as they were "dancing", REALLY annoying. I only stayed at the concert because I wanted to hear Cecilia and The Satellite but this guy was extending his concert a lot, after an hour and 40 minutes me and my girlfriend could not stand the boring songs and the drunk girls and we left without hearing one of the few songs we like from this guy.
figalex
This was my first time seeing Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness perform. The show was AWESOME. The sound was incredible, Andrew and the band sounded great, and the set was super high energy. Interactive sing along was highly encouraged. The crew threw beach balls and a big inflatable alligator into the crowd to play with, and Andrew crowd surfed the pit on a GIANT. INFLATABLE. DUCK. This was seriously one of the best live sets I've seen in a long time. If you are on the fence about seeing this band live, FOR THE LOVE OF (insert deity of choice) GO. GO. GO.
stacey-wayman
this was by far one of the best concerts I have been too ! So personable and the best mix of music old songs and new Andrew really makes you feel like you are just sitting around listening to him play the piano When he came back for his encore dancing on the piano Judy made me want to keep up and just dance with him And who he chose as the opening act junior prom was great and Fences oh my god they were amazing Cannot wait to see them again !!
melissa-greene-1
I wasn't sure what to expect from this show but I definitely wasn't left disappointed. He played a perfect mixture of new stuff and classics from soco and jack. Great live performer and in my opinion I think he sounds better live. My favorite moment was when he played swim in a very slow style with a different vocal melody.
Marveto
Second time going to his concert and wow. Andrew always sounds amazing live. I've always had so much fun at his concerts. I've never had issues with the crowds there. Everyone is always quite respectful. Andrew's music is amazing and it's definitely something worth going to at least once.
kdeffendol
Show was awesome and super fun, with the exception of obnoxious girls who felt the need to talk through the whole thing and the drunk girl in front of me who kept stepping on me and almost knocked my teeth out while trying to dance. Andrew, however, was entertaining and amazing :)
rebeccakc
What an AMAZING show!! Andrew really connected with the crowd. We loved all of his stories and background he gave throughout the show. He does not disappoint live. What a great show! We would definitely see Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness again. They sounded great live!
Cskrod
