It didn’t take long after doors opened at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida for the venue to feel like it couldn’t possibly hold another soul for the impending Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness concert.
Andrew McMahon’s shows are like an Eras Tour for the pop-punk crowd. This is an artist who has been a mainstay in the genre for over 20 years and has brought along a dedicated, passionate following from the days of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin. Now making music under the Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness moniker, the project’s fourth album, Tilt at the Wind No More, was released in March of this year. Joined by Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate alumni, Mikey Wagner and Bob Oxblood, McMahon, and his piano can usually be found on a steady touring schedule.
Many attendees that managed to find themselves a place up front reported waiting in line since the early afternoon, braving the 95-degree July heat. Despite the long day, they were all smiles, excitedly showing off tattoos and beaded friendship bracelets inspired by McMahon’s discography.
When asked what songs they were hoping to hear, fans named everything from the latest singles to deep cuts that never had their moment in the spotlight. While certain tunes remain staples in his set, the bulk of McMahon’s setlist changes with each tour stop, and it seems like nothing is truly off limits. With a catalog so large and beloved, it’s exciting to know that no matter how long you pour over setlist.fm, you’ll never truly be able to predict the exact show you’re about to see.
The performance began with McMahon weaving his way from the back of the venue through the audience to the stage singing “Nobody Tells You When You’re Young,” accompanied only by an illuminated music box hung over his shoulder. The crowd erupted into a lengthy applause before the set continued with “The Mixed Tape,” McMahon taking a flying leap off of the top of his piano.
McMahon is truly an artist that has grown up alongside his fans, their individual stories mirroring his own in many ways. While McMahon himself is raising a daughter, who inspired his 2014 hit song “Cecilia and the Satellite,” many of his fans are also on the journey of parenthood and are passing along McMahon’s music to the next generation. One lucky 9-year-old fan even got themselves a coveted barricade spot to experience their second Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness show alongside their guardian. Another young fan, balanced on their guardian’s hip, handed McMahon a letter and a friendship bracelet intended for his daughter.
The line between stage and audience was blurred over and over again as McMahon returned to the crowd for different portions of the set. He surfed across the venue on an inflatable affectionately called the “La La Llama” during “La La Lie.” He dusted off the anthemic Something Corporate tune, “Hurricane,” as he sang and jumped around with fans in the pit. And, of course, he threw a colorful party in the crowd with a 5th grade PE class-style rainbow parachute during “Synesthesia,” a fan-favorite activity. McMahon always has a way of making the whole venue feel like they’re part of the show.
As the almost two-hour set came to a close, McMahon led a singalong to a stripped-down version of “Punk Rock Princess.” Then, a brief cover of U2’s “With Or Without You” blended perfectly into the final song of the evening, “Dark Blue.”
While some fans were making the trek back to their cars after the show let out, others were grouped together outside of the gate leading to the backdoor of the venue. A short while later, McMahon came outside to chat, sign autographs, and take photos, a regular occurrence following his performances. The love that his fans have for him is reflected tenfold in the love he shows for them.
McMahon’s rich lyrical storytelling and themes of love, loss, survival, and joy have remained consistent in his songwriting after all this time. No matter what era of his career made you a fan, you’re sure to find a familiar favorite song, and maybe even a new one, at an Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness gig.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
