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MANDOLIN ORANGE IN CONCERT:
Country folk duo Mandolin Orange combines unadorned melodies, simple chords, and no-frills instrumentation to arrive at an honest, emotional sound that's bigger than the sum of its parts. The pair's warm harmonies, poignant lyrics, and delicate mandolin and fiddle playing imbue songs like "Waltz About Whiskey" and "One More Down" with a tenderness and authenticity that never fail to move fans at their intimate live shows. Whether they're performing as a duo or playing with their talented backing band, Mandolin Orange always mesmerize and inspire with their heartfelt sets on tour.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
North Carolina-based duo Mandolin Orange formed in 2009 after Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz met at a local jam session in Chapel Hill. Their shared interest in gospel, folk, and bluegrass influenced their unique country folk sound, and in 2010 they made their debut with the hushed, introspective album Quiet Little Room. They added a bassist and a drummer for their 2011 sophomore album Haste Make, rounding out their sound without compromising the delicate vibe they established on their first album. Since then they've appeared at festivals throughout the US and shared bills with luminaries like Roseanne Cash and Chatham County Line. In 2013 they released their third album This Side of Jordan to extensive critical praise, and they continue to generate buzz with their unforgettable performances on tour.
We had never been to a show at the Observatory. What a great venue! Gorgeous place, easy security, great acoustics, perfect view from anywhere, food available, bar, cheap parking across the street...totally sold! The show itself was also fabulous from opening act through the lovely Mandolin Orange. Winning all the way!
We love the music of Mandolin Orange - and they were wonderful - but we were embarrassed for them by the venue and the behavior of the audience. This was our first and last visit to State Theatre. Too many bars and a long, uninspiring, opening act got many in the crowd to drinking too much, but especially talking too much. There was a constant dull roar through the opening and several times during Mandolin Orange portion of the show. It was like hanging out in a giant bar to see some locals play. The opening could have been shorter, and M.O. could have played longer. My sense at the end of the show is that it will be a very long time, if ever, that M.O. returns to Maine - what a shame.
Extremely disappointed in the set up of the concert. For such great talents as Andrew and Emilie, the State Theatre was not the venue to appreciate them. Maybe it was the general admission and "festival seating" ( everyone in front - standing). But the entire night consisted of a terrible opening act in Sunny War (what is wrong with this person?), a seemingly jumbled set list that actually bored the crowd with many tunes unfamiliar to everyone and had no rythm to it , and a Friday night party crowd who had to repeatedly be "shushed" in order to listen to beautiful tunes whose momentum had already been ruined. It appeared that the duo and their talented band read the night as just "off" ( at one point Andrew said "OK we'll pick it up a little bit" - but to no avail) and barely played for an hour with a quick one song encore and they were gone. Just a bad night all around. This band would have been better served at the classier Merrill auditorium.
The performances by the artists were fantastic, however we were most disappointed with the fact that the State allowed fans to stand in the main aisle where the mixing board was, blocking all view of the stage for those who could not stand to watch. Not sure if it is legal to allow a major aisle to be blocked like that. Also, at the rear of the main auditorium floor which appeared to be where food and beverages were served, the crowd was extremely loud and made it difficult to hear the performance. Staff from the State should have tried to control that. Unless you are willing to stand through an entire show, I would steer clear of General Admission shows at the State
Great show! However the venue (state theater) was loud which felt disrespectful to the musicians as well as the patrons. I saw the same concert in Boston the next night and it was beautiful, quiet, and intimate. Even the musicians commented how loud the theater was in Portland and the challenges that they faced on stage. Definitely not rushing back there to see a show anytime soon.
Mandolin Orange is great, but the noise from the crowd throughout the music was overpowering. The venue is poor, the seating arrangement was unfortunate, and the opening act was unimpressive.
Mandolin Orange deserves respect and the Portland ME audience did not deliver. State Theatre staff always do great, the sound quality was great...but there were so many rude people in the audience. Talking and screaming during sets, getting offended when people asked them to quiet down. It’s sad what concert going has become. Some shows are loud enough to get away with talking and socializing during the event, but Mandolin Orange’s subtleties and rich sounds deserve your full attention. I was really disappointed with the lack of respect. Mandolin Orange played an amazing set which I enjoyed anyway but there were just so many drunk, rude jerks in the audience :(
The State is a great venue for Lucinda Williams. Not so great for acoustic music like Mandolin Orange and absolutely painful for a solo artist like Sunny War. It makes little sense to set up the venue for a rock concert, complete with mosh pit and large open bar in the orchestra, when the music is acoustic with varied volume and intensity. All the soft openings and closings were drowned out by loud bar chatter. Mandolin Orange is terrific. But they should choose a different venue or persuade the State to set up differently. When we left after a frustrating hour, we were accompanied by a stream of fans with similar complaints.
Not many people came so we were able to get right in the front. Wasnt too loud and both the opener and Mandolin Orange were incredibly talented!
Mandolin Orange is great but they sounded incredible at the Ryman.
I was able to take my daughter for her first Ryman experience. Mandolin Orange did not disappoint. They were the perfect group to introduce my daughter to her first live experience, especially at a venue like the Ryman. They seemed to be in reverence of the venue and we were in awe of them. Thanks for a great evening with my wife and daughter!
We added the VIP package to the tickets and had a wonderful time. Sound was as awesome as others say. If you get a chance see Mandolin Orange live and at the Ryman...DO IT!
Memories were made throughout the night in the Ryman as Mandolin Orange delivered their elegant songs with the soothing sounds from mandolin, guitar and violin instruments. This is a duo that sounds even better live! What a performance. Wow!
What a talented group! Great show, and we are so happy that we were there.
Andrew and Emily have stepped up their game! What a fabulous concert!
Amazing! Their performance was incredible! Especially at the Ryman!
An absolutely great experience all around. First I have been enjoying MO for a few years and seeing live was on bucket list. Going back to Ryman for first time since a boy was another bucket list check. My seats were excellent as I think there is not a bad seat at Ryman. The show started on time and opened with a super pleasant group called Bonny Lighthorseman. I loved these guys and will be looking forward to hearing more of them. Finally MO came on stage and put on a performance of a lifetime. Emily and Andrew were very personable and so so vocally spot on! and oh wow! Andrew and his Mandolin!! A true genius in playmanship and music writing! That dude can pick a mean Mando! They played several songs on Tides of Teardrop, plus some older songs and some I have never heard like Belly of the Beast and Paper Mountain! His Late September tribute to his late mother was very touching and inspiring at the same time! All great songs. I'd say the fan favorite though, including myself was Wildfire! A standing O for that one! I was NOT disappointed in anything this night. I experienced a "Soul Tattoo" of which will stay with me through the next life!
Took my sons to the Ryman to hear Mandolin Orange. It was a great night the crowd was in to it. The band was amazing and the Ryman is a very special place.
Very entertaining! First time seeing them live and they did not disappoint! Great sound, loved the mandolin and the fiddle and both of their voices are amazing!
The Ryman is one of the greatest venues to take in a show. The sound was perfection. Mandolin Orange fit in there as if they were who the Ryman was designed for. Fantastic show, great song set, and personal interaction were all part of the experience. The mandolin sounded amazing inside the all wood venue. Seating is church pews so bring a seat cushion. lol
