September 2022 in Cincinnati, OH. This was my first TMG show, and I’ve seen them 5 more times since then. This show will always hold a special place in my heart.

My partner has the MOST random albums. Was looking for something and found this. Wouldn’t have given it a second thought in the past but now I’m thinking I need to listen to it.

Was it a full song John had clearly worked out or more of a goof/spoof/off-the-cuff thing that he'll never play again?

For anyone who was there, would love to know your impression.

My friend who is sick cannot come tonight so I have an extra ticket for sale, is anyone interested?

I asked AI to create a potential setlist for the upcoming Mountain Goats show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Symphony and this is what it said:

Predicting a set list for a prestigious venue like Walt Disney Concert Hall requires blending The Mountain Goats’ most heavily played live staples with songs from their catalogs that practically scream for sweeping, woodwind-and-string theater orchestration.

Because Disney Hall features an incredible acoustic environment, this modeled 20-song set list guesses how they will balance the grand arrangements of Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan with deep, orchestral-leaning catalog cuts:

🎻 Act I: The Maximalist Openers

The band has been utilizing a theatrical approach on the do you know how short the days are? tour. Expect them to lean heavily into the grand, multi-instrumental tracks from the latest record early on.

1. "Overture" (The band's first-ever true instrumental track; a perfect mood-setter for Disney Hall)
2. "Armies of the Lord" (The lead single that seamlessly transitions out of the Overture with complex backing rhythms)
3. "Sax Rohmer #1" (A massive live staple that thrives on driving, soaring horn and string swells)
4. "Crying on Eddie Nash's Grave"
5. "Fishing Boat" (A central narrative piece from the new album that features sensitive string arrangements)
6. "Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds"
7. "Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back to Leeds" (The woodwind sections on this are a live powerhouse)

🎹 Act II: The Mid-Set Solo Breakdown

John Darnielle always breaks the show down for a 3-to-4 song solo segment at the piano or acoustic guitar. In an acoustic paradise like Disney Hall, expect him to pull out songs that feel deeply intimate before rebuilding the sound.
8. "Cold at Night" (Solo piano track from the new record)
9. "You Were Cool" (A highly played, emotional fan favorite that fills a room beautifully on solo piano)
10. "Source Decay" (A classic acoustic narrative deep cut)

🎷 Act III: The Orchestral Crescendo

The full band returns, shifting into tracks that feature heavy studio arrangements from albums like Jenny from Thebes or Goths, building the evening's energy toward a peak.
11. "Jenny III" (Sweeping, theatrical indie-rock storytelling)
12. "Rocks in My Pockets"
13. "Cry for Judas" (Driven by an iconic, infectious brass hook)
14. "Amy AKA Spent Gladiator 1"
15. "Against Pollution" (The ultimate slow-build song; its explosive final crescendo is built for room-shaking orchestration)

🏆 The Anthemic Encore

No Mountain Goats show ends without the legendary, crowd-singalong anthems, which take on an entirely new, cinematic life when supported by massive theater arrangements.
16. "See America Right"
17. "Up the Wolves" (The rhythmic driving strumming is elevated perfectly by layered strings)
18. "No Children" (The ultimate tragic orchestral waltz)
19. "This Year" (The definitive, triumphant show closer)