Indie rock musician MJ Lenderman and his touring band, The Wind, kicked off their 2025 tour at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl, performing a setlist that featured Lenderman’s hit songs and his entire recent album, “Manning Fireworks.” Throughout the night, Lenderman and The Wind put on an incredible show while receiving lots of support from their fans.
Before Lenderman and his touring band took the stage, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band opened with songs from their 2023 album “Dancing on the Edge.” The band, whose sound features elements of indie and alternative rock, spent just under an hour performing their songs with a variety of instruments, including three guitars, a keyboard, drums, a pedal steel guitar and a melodica.
About twenty minutes after Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band finished their set, Lenderman and members of The Wind arrived on stage, backed by a traditional stage set that featured a few band members on raised platforms behind Lenderman. Lenderman opened the show by playing new songs, including “Joker Lips,” “Wristwatch” and the title track from their most recent album.
During his performance, MJ Lenderman interacted with the audience several times and consistently thanked them for their support. The interactions included brief check-ins with audience members and even asking the crowd to hold up their drinks and take a sip with him.
At one point in his set, Lenderman took a moment to discuss the postponement of this show from October of last year.
“Thank you for waiting all this time,” Lenderman said. “[We’re] sorry we had to postpone.”
Afterward, Lenderman reflected on the impact of Hurricane Helene on their touring schedule at the end of 2024, as he was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, a city that was heavily impacted by damage from the hurricane. Following his words on the impact, Lenderman introduced “Pianos,” a song he recorded for a Hurricane Helene relief album, which he played moments later.
After finishing his set of 16 songs, Lenderman and all members of The Wind exited the stage. While leaving, Lenderman blew a kiss to the audience and waved. However, two members of The Wind returned to the stage only a few minutes after leaving.
As part of a touring tradition, two members of the band came on stage and shouted “Where are we?,” and in response, fans in the audience responded, “Nashville!”
Lenderman and the rest of The Wind returned to perform an encore, singing “SUV,” “Hangover Game” and a cover of Neil Young’s “Lotta Love.” Lenderman dedicated the cover of “Lotta Love” to giving lots of love as a response to recent actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump’s second presidential administration.
MJ Lenderman’s performance at the Brooklyn Bowl was incredible to witness. The band delivered consistent appreciation to their fans, who showed an equal amount of love and support in return. Despite the venue’s smaller size, the atmosphere was electric, with an undeniable sense of shared appreciation between the performers and the audience.
