MJ Lenderman stopped by the NPR offices to deliver an unplugged and chilled-out performance for the Tiny Desk concert series.
The celebrated Asheville, North Carolina musician and his backing band, the Wind, played four songs, three of which were from his excellent 2024 album, Manning Fireworks (which landed at Number Three on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 best albums of last year). For the performance, Lenderman and the Wind largely traded in their electric instruments for acoustic ones, giving the short set a feel more akin to the back porch sound of Manning Fireworks than their this-one-goes-to-11 live show.
The band opened with two Manning Fireworks songs, “Wristwatch” and “Rip Torn.” Then, they delivered a true deep cut — “Catholic Priest,” off Lenderman’s 2021 album, Ghost of Your Guitar Solo — before closing with another Manning Fireworks favorite, “You Don’t Know the Shape I’m In.”
Coinciding with the release of his Tiny Desk show, Lenderman also announced a new slate of North American tour dates. The run is scheduled to kick off Sept. 3 at Mission Ballroom in Denver and wrap Sept. 19 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. During the run, he’ll play his biggest headlining show to date at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sept. 11.
Lenderman will receive support from Canadian indie rockers Nap Eyes throughout the tour, while Cass McCombs will also be on hand for the gig in Los Angeles. Ticket information is available on Lenderman’s website.
Lenderman and the Wind will spend much of this year on the road in support of Manning Fireworks, including a largely sold-out North American run that kicks off tonight, Jan. 29, in Carrboro, North Carolina. They also have shows in Australia, New Zealaned, Europe, and the U.K. scheduled through the spring and summer.
MJ Lenderman Fall Tour Dates
Sep. 3 — Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
Sep. 5 — Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
Sep. 6 — Fort Worth, TX @ Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
Sep. 8 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
Sep. 9 — San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay
Sep. 11 — Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall
Sep. 12 — Oakland CA @ Fox Theater
Sep. 13 — Sonoma, CA @ Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Sep. 15 — Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Sep. 16 — Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Sep. 18 — Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
Sep. 19 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
