Andrew McMahon concert recap: The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

photo by Bob Steshetz

Andrew McMahon brought his Winter in the Wilderness acoustic tour back home to Southern California on Dec. 19 for a brilliant show that figured among the best I've seen all year. 

The 105-minute concert at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. was sold out. It included many longtime fans who sang and clapped along to songs from throughout Orange County native McMahon's 20-year career, including Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin and his most recent project, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

Kicking off the 19-song set with contemplative ballad "Walls," the singer/pianist gave it a fresh emotional resonance in the acoustic format. That was true for a bulk of the material performed, such as "Holiday From Real," "Cavanaugh Park, "Walking By" and others. McMahon frequently told stories behind the tunes peppered with local references. 

Highlights included "So Close," "The Resolution," holiday-themed song "The Lights and Buzz" and a short stretch where he was joined by spirited young female opening act Ivory Layne (who sometimes brought to mind Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel). Their co-written "Dead Man's Dollar" was seamless; "Dark Blue" featured high flying harmonies; the riveting cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," delivered with the appropriate delicate touch. Finally, McMahon closed the evening, as he often has in the past, with the buoyant "La La Lie." 

photo: Bob Steshetz

Setlist: Walls/Fire Escape/Holiday From Real/I Want to Save You/High Dive/Ohio/Cavanaugh Park/Resolution/The Lights and Buzz/So Close/Watch the Sky/Dead Man's Dollar/Paper Rain/Dark Blue/Time After Time/I Woke Up in a Car/Cecilia and the Satellite
Encore: Konstantine (snippet)>Walking By/Walking in My Sleep/La La Lie