Bonnaroo Band of the Day: Moon Taxi

As we’ve been doing for the past several years now, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with as many bands as we can from Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2015 lineup. We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day…

LEARN

One of Nashville’s definitive rock and roll success stories of the past few years, and one of Music City’s most prominent acts to grace this year’s Bonnaroo bill (it’s crazy to see how high they’ve climbed on the roster!), Moon Taxi began almost a decade ago, while several members were students at Belmont. Quickly finding a regional audience following the 2007 release of their debut, Melodica, Moon Taxi’s early days were characterized by a compelling and polished live show, and an affinity for jam-inspired rock with progressive tendencies. A 2008 live album would follow, and gave way to further touring, early festival appearances, headlining spots at local clubs, and winning Lightning 100’s annual Music City Mayhem competition.

The group’s sophomore release, Cabaret, arrived in 2012, and really set the wheels in motion for the whirlwind of success the band have experienced. Finding a poppier balance, doubling down on their songwriting (after often being praised more for their live show), and incorporating electronics, Moon Taxi quickly found a larger critical and commercial audience, going, in a matter of months, from local events like East Nashville Underground and Live on the Green, to prominent spots at national fests (including a 2012 debut at Bonnaroo), appearances on late night television (Letterman, Conan), and nonstop touring. Their latest, Mountains Beaches Cities, arrived in 2013, and followed a sonically similar approach to proggy, poppy, alternative rock. While we wait for the band’s much-anticipated new album, we’re going to be treated to another busy summer of festival appearances, and their buzzworthy return to Bonnaroo will surely be one for the books.

LISTEN | “Mercury”