SXSW: My Morning Jacket's Good Times, Great Oldies

Many people arrived at the Austin Music Hall, just on the outskirts of downtown, expecting to have some trouble getting into My Morning Jackets anticipated SXSW showcase. Lucky for MMJ fans the newly renovated venue was huge and provided enough elbow room for even dancing. The band played a 2-hour set, following fellow ATO label mates The Whigs and indie rockers Yo La Tengo."A friend once gave me a mixtape with Yo La Tengo on it," frontman Jim James told the crowd, remembering his time at college in Lexington, KY. He then sang an impromptu verso of YLT "Center Of Gravity," "Walking home after dark, past the softball park" and I was walking past the softball park listening to the song. It was this perfect symmetry of words. They are one of the greatest bands ever."MMJ also proved that they were one of the greatest live bands on the SXSW bill. The band turned over new tracks, which I don't want to say didn't sound organic, but definitely made it apparent they had tweaked with ProTools a little for a new sound on their forthcoming Evil Urges. MMJ also managed to to cough up some great oldies. Among the old school crowd pleasers were "Run Thru" "Steam Engine" and an encore that included "Magheeta."