My Morning Jacket Cover the Dead, Kermit The Frog and More at The Fillmore

My Morning Jacket has been captivating audiences with an expansive seven-night engagement at San Francisco's iconic Fillmore, crafting each evening with a blend of fresh material, unexpected covers, and special guest appearances. Their performances have showcased the band’s versatility, extending beyond their original catalog into nods to classic rock and pop culture staples.

Midway through one of the recent shows, the band unveiled “Come Again,” a track from frontman Jim James’ solo release, Wowed Out, which debuted earlier in the summer. This addition marked the second solo composition James has integrated into the band’s setlist during the residency, following the earlier debut of “Lost Child.” These inclusions signal a melding of James’ individual artistry with the collective sound of My Morning Jacket.

The evening’s momentum continued with a notable collaboration featuring Grace Cummings, an ATO Records artist and former opening act for the band. She joined My Morning Jacket for a rendition of AC/DC's “Ride On,” a song she previously performed alongside the group. This collaboration underscored the band’s openness to cross-artist partnerships and their appreciation for diverse rock influences.

Further expanding their repertoire of reinterpretations, My Morning Jacket offered their take on the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias.” This performance added to an already impressive list of Dead covers the band has embraced throughout the Fillmore series, including “Sugaree,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” “Franklin’s Tower,” and the Dead’s version of “Me and Bobby McGee.” These selections highlight the band’s deep connection to the Grateful Dead’s legacy and their ability to reinterpret classic songs within their own sonic framework.

In a surprising thematic twist during the encore, the band tapped into the night’s green motif by debuting “Bein’ Green,” a beloved Sesame Street tune famously performed by Kermit the Frog. This marked the second time Jim James has brought a Kermit-associated song into his live performances, having previously delivered “Rainbow Connection” in solo shows, including a notable appearance alongside the Muppet at Newport Folk Festival 2019. The group’s history with Muppets-related projects extends to a contribution on The Muppets: The Green Album and initial involvement in the 2011 Muppets film soundtrack, reflecting the band’s affinity for blending whimsical elements with their music.

James attributed the choice to cover “Bein’ Green” to inspiration drawn from a Muppet image featured on The Fillmore’s promotional materials, illustrating how visual stimuli can influence setlist creativity.

Cummings returned once more to assist the band in debuting Fleetwood Mac’s “Over My Head,” a track from their acclaimed 1975 self-titled album. This selection further emphasized My Morning Jacket’s appreciation for rock classics and their desire to reinterpret influential songs with fresh energy.

Closing out the evening, the band performed a trio of their own compositions: “Slow Slow Tune,” “Lay Low,” and “One Big Holiday.” These originals provided a grounding counterpoint to the array of covers, showcasing the group’s continued commitment to their core sound and songwriting prowess.

The residency at The Fillmore is ongoing, with performances scheduled to conclude on Sunday. Throughout this extended run, My Morning Jacket has demonstrated both reverence for musical heritage and a willingness to explore new artistic directions, all while engaging the audience with compelling collaborations and novel song introductions. Details about further setlist variations remain limited, but the band’s dynamic approach to live performance suggests that upcoming shows will maintain this spirit of creative exploration.