My Morning Jacket Welcome Founding Guitarist Johnny Quaid in Idaho

My Morning Jacket, photo by Stephen Bloch

On Wednesday, August 6, My Morning Jacket took the stage at Nampa, Idaho’s Ford Amphitheatre for the second performance in the latest stint of their expansive is Tour. After setting off their summer leg with a set in Bend, Ore. on Tuesday, the titanic roots rock quintet set high expectations for the run to come with an exhilarating 18-track set, featuring a rare special guest appearance from founding guitarist Johnny Quaid.

My Morning Jacket set off their performance last night with “Out in the Open,” the warm and wise opening track from their 10th studio album is, which landed in March. After the longtime setlist staples “What a Wonderful Man,” “Compound Fracture” and “Lay Low,” the band added its second newer entry of the evening with “Lay Low.” “Everyday Magic” was the third and final inclusion from their recent album, slotted between key selections from Evil Urges, At Dawn and The Waterfall.

As MMJ rounded to the final swing of their performance, they welcomed Quaid to the stage for a ripping solo on “Mahgeetah.” Quaid was a member of My Morning Jacket from their founding in 1998 through 2003, so it’s only fitting that his return was marked by the standout track from It Still Moves, his final album with the band. Quaid has performed alongside My Morning Jacket several times since his formal departure from the group, but Wednesday marked his first sit-in since Aug. 2021. The guitarist remained in the mix to bolster a set-closing sprint through “Phone Went West,” “Dancefloors,” “Steam Engine,” and “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2,” then rejoined the band for a grand finale of “One Big Holiday” after a core quintet encore of “Victory Dance” and “Half a Lifetime.”

My Morning Jacket will return to the stage tonight for an engagement at Bonner, Mont.’s KettleHouse Amphitheater, then proceed with 26 further shows–including several special Z 10-year anniversary performances–through Nov. 1. Find tickets and more information at mymorningjacket.com/tour.