Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington. The founding members are lead singer and guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. Modest Mouse is known for its distinctive, gritty sound and Brock’s unique vocal style and intriguing lyrics. The band has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success over its three decade career.
Energy Level
By all accounts, Modest Mouse puts on an extremely high energy live show. They bring an infectious enthusiasm and intensity to the stage that immediately gets the crowd excited and engaged. Even though they have been touring for many years, Modest Mouse does not phone it in or go through the motions at their shows. The band members seem to genuinely enjoy playing live, and their passion is contagious.
Both critics and fans rave about the frenetic energy of Modest Mouse’s performances. Their shows are described as exhilarating, electrifying, and even exhausting in the best possible way. There is a sense of controlled chaos, with band members careening around the stage yet precisely locked into the grooves and textures of the music. The band’s raw punk spirit comes through loudly in their live act.
Setlists
Modest Mouse has released 6 studio albums spanning three decades, giving them a deep well of material to draw from when assembling setlists. Their sets are often a career-spanning mix, including early indie rock hits like “Dramamine” and “Teeth Like God’s Shoeshine” alongside more recent, mainstream successes such as “Float On” and “Dashboard.”
While Modest Mouse has plenty of instantly recognizable songs, they are not afraid to throw in obscure old tracks and new, unreleased material into their sets. Fans never know exactly what they will get at each show. There is a nice balance of familiar favorites for casual listeners and exciting rarities for diehard fans obsessed with every B-side and demo.
Set staples over the years have included “3rd Planet,” “The World at Large,” “Ocean Breathes Salty,” and their rowdy early breakthrough “Cowboy Dan.” Most shows end with the epic “The Good Times Are Killing Me” as the closer. The roughly 20-25 song sets range across the band’s catalog without ever growing stale.
Improvisation
Modest Mouse brings a loose, improvisational approach to their live performances. Songs often feature extended jams, noisy guitar freakouts, or other unpredictable deviations from the studio versions. Brock regularly ad libs new lyrics or melodies from show to show. No two performances of a song are ever exactly the same.
This knack for improvisation really shines during their instrumental post-rock interludes between songs. What originally sounds like the conclusion of a song will suddenly transform into a passage of atmospheric, effect-drenched jamming that seamlessly flows into the next tune. The band members listen closely to one another and follow each other’s lead during these impromptu moments.
The skilled improvisation and willingness to take risks keeps the songs fresh and exciting. Modest Mouse concerts feel like true live events rather than pre-rehearsed productions. Each show has a fleeting magic to it that keeps fans coming back for more.
Live Sound
Sonically, Modest Mouse aim for a raw, noisy live sound that captures the essence of their recordings but strips away any overly slick studio production. Their concerts are first and foremost about energetic performances, with polish and perfection taking a backseat. The looseness only adds to the excitement.
Isaac Brock’s ragged but emotive vocals cut through loudly in the mix. The guitars alternate between buzzy overdrive and bright, clean tones. Johnny Marr’s guitarwork is especially impressive when he occasionally tours with the band. The rhythm section provides a solid foundation but still sounds pleasingly rough around the edges.
When all the instrumental layers blend together, Modest Mouse’s live sound is driving and propulsive but still nuanced. The mix is clear enough to appreciate all the interlocking parts but primal enough to inspire serious moshing among fans up front. It’s a danceable racket.
Stage Production
The stage production at Modest Mouse concerts is relatively straightforward and tasteful. They opt for an understated look that puts the focus on the music and performance rather than flashy spectacle. The lighting is often simple washes of color with some strobing effects during intense jams. Three video screens behind the band show close-ups of the musicians as well as abstract visuals.
The band does not have any elaborate stage props or theatrical elements. Isaac Brock keeps banter with the audience to a minimum, though he will occasionally make a wry comment or two between songs. Band members stick to their designated spots on stage rather than moving around much. Overall, the live production matches the band’s stripped-down musical aesthetic.
That said, Modest Mouse does know how to create some truly transcendent moments live with their dynamic lighting. During a drawn-out outro or commanding performance of one of their anthems, the lighting shifts to bold, dramatic colors and patterns that pair perfectly with the swelling music.
Audience Interaction
For the most part, Modest Mouse keeps audience interaction to respectful applause, singing along, and cheering between songs. Isaac Brock does not draw much attention to the crowd. However, the positive, mutually supportive energy flow between audience and band is always apparent.
Fans who know lyrics shout them out joyfully in unison with Brock without detracting from the performance. The crowd goes wild for set highlights like “Float On” and “The World at Large,” with the whole venue belting out every word. During extended jams, all eyes lock onto the stage as the audience seems enraptured.
At certain intimate shows, the boundary between stage and crowd essentially disappears, with Brock even jumping into the audience to play guitar solos running through the room. The rowdier general admission crowds push their way to the front of the stage and keeping the energy high.
Merchandise
Modest Mouse offers a range of merch for sale at their concerts including:
- T-shirts – $25-$40
- Hoodies – $50-$60
- Posters – $20
- Vinyl – $25-$30
- CDs – $10-$15
- Tote bags – $20
- Buttons/pins – $1-$5
Their merchandise features album cover art, variations of the Modest Mouse logo, and other original artwork. Higher priced collectors items like limited edition posters are also sometimes available. The inventory varies from tour to tour. Fans can find a balance of both common designs and more unique mementos.
Opening Acts
Modest Mouse tends to choose relatively unknown, up-and-coming indie acts as their opening support on tours. This allows them to highlight lesser known bands they admire. Fans of Modest Mouse are eagerly receptive to the openers and appreciative of the exposure given to underground talent.
Some of the indie bands that have opened for them on recent tours include
| Year | Supporting Act |
|---|---|
| 2022 | The Cribs |
| 2021 | Empath |
| 2019 | The Districts |
| 2018 | Mimicking Birds |
Modest Mouse has also taken out larger alternative acts like the Black Keys, Brand New, and Manchester Orchestra at various points. But they seem most at home providing a platform for lesser known indie artists who match their vibe and ethics.
Tickets
Tickets to see Modest Mouse live typically cost between $40-$75 depending on the specific tour and venue. Prices are on the more affordable side for a seasoned band of their stature and popularity. This fits with Modest Mouse’s stripped-down identity and desire to keep shows accessible.
For high demand shows in major markets, tickets may start around $60 for general admission and exceed $100 for better reserved seats. But many Modest Mouse tour dates can still be found for just $40-50 per ticket even today. Their devotion to smaller clubs and theaters allows them to keep things inexpensive for fans.
The intimate, lively shows are well worth the reasonable ticket price. Savvy fans can often search out presale codes and other promotions to secure seats for even less. Overall, Modest Mouse offers an amazing concert experience at a fair cost compared to many similar acts.
Conclusion
In summary, Modest Mouse is known to put on an engaging, high-energy live show that connects deeply with their fans. Their concerts feature inspired improvisation, career-spanning setlists, and raw yet nuanced sound quality driven by passionate performances. Visually, their shows are focused directly on the music rather than extravagant effects.
The atmosphere is lively but respectful, with Isaac Brock preferring to let the devoted audiences and dynamic music speak for themselves. Fans can purchase merch and support young opening bands while enjoying a reasonably priced show. 30 years in, Modest Mouse still delivers an incredible concert experience true to their artistic spirit.
