Maybe you’ve heard the rumblings of a cantankerous John Mellencamp – reportedly scolding some concertgoers during his 2024 “Live and In Person Tour” for various squawky behaviors. But at Duluth Symphony Hall Thursday night, the legendary rock-n-roller was engaging, entertaining and even, at times, seemingly joyful.
An unconventional start to the show had some in the audience grumbling – even pissed off. In place of a warm-up band – there was a montage of classic black and white movie clips that began with Marlon Brando’s famous courtroom scene in “The Fugitive Kind”, and continued with bits from “Giant”, “The Misfits”, “Hud”, and “The Grapes of Wrath.” 23 minutes later, the screen lifted, and Mellencamp, with cigarette dangling from his mouth, and his six-piece band, busted into a raw and powerful “John Cockers” to open the music part of the performance.
Mellencamp’s band was exemplary – highlighted by the signature stylings of his long-time violinist Lisa Germano in staples like “Check It Out, “Paper and Fire”, and “Cherry Bomb”. Whatever toll 52 years of performing rock songs and smoking cigarettes has taken on Mellencamp vocally, it was redeemed in the quality of the songs and in the enthusiastic audience, who spent more time on their feet than in their seats.
Mellencamp’s set list included a combination of his best-known classics like “Small Town”, “Lonely Ole Night”, “Jackie Brown”, “Rain on the Scarecrow”, and a solid four-piece acoustic version of “Jack and Diane” that had concertgoers singing along with every word. Mellencamp also pulled out a smattering of more unfamiliar numbers including “The Eyes of Portland” that underscored the plight of homelessness in American society. The last four songs had the packed house on their feet – with “Crumblin’ Down”, “Pink Houses,” “Cherry Bomb” and a final “Hurts So Good.” In the end, the iconic rocker gave his fans what they came for – the opportunity to see a rock and roll hall-of-famer doing his thing.
Written by Tom Roubik
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