To experience a John Maus performance is to witness a man fully engulfed in exercising some seriously persistent demons. On record, Maus is musically compared to bands like Joy Division and Ultravox, but live his performance transcends description. John Maus has in the past performed solo to previously recorded electronic backing tracks. However, this time last year he performed at the Rock N Roll Hotel with a full band, the crowd on this chilly Thursday night at the Ottobar in Baltimore wasn’t totally sure what to expect.
Eager concert goers filed into the Ottbar to a multi-media experience by opener Nick Nicely, a British artist that mixes traditional guitar with electronic soundscapes and altered vocals. Nicely, dressed in sheer head covering along with a bassist and producer, Bug Lover, created sweeping music in front of an array of several projected images, culminating in a brilliant cover of “All Along the Watchtower.”
After clearing the stage, it was clear this was going to be a solo performance from John Maus. Several large speakers lined the back of the stage, and after some set up by Maus the show kicked off with a lurch and a bang as John took the mic with his trademarked intensity. With a pleading expression, Maus pumped his arms, smacked his head, and jumped pouring out volumes both figuratively and literally as it appeared at times he was so physically drained the water from both his body and from the water bottle he used to cool off was what was holding him together.
His entire set was filled with a mix mostly of older material, starting off with “My Whole World’s Coming Apart” and “Rights for Gays” from his debut Love Is Real and a heavy dose of 2017’s Screen Memories, including: “The Combine,” “Teenage Witch,” “Touchdown,” and “Pets.” In addition, fan favorites like “Bennington” also brought a huge response from jostling fans who were enamored of John’s performance. Notably absent were songs from last year’s Addendum though. John finished with an encore of the beautiful “Believer” with the refrain that sticks in my mind: “They call me the believer / And I’m not coming back.”
John Maus continues his tour through February. If you have the chance definitely check him out! See the tour schedule here. In the meantime, enjoy some photos of John Maus performing at the Ottobar on February 7, 2019. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
