A full-circle moment: Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket returns to Athens to share music and experiences

Bo Koster’s return to Athens with his band, My Morning Jacket, isn’t just another stop on their tour — it’s a full-circle moment that marks a homecoming, both for Koster and for the city that remains a short, yet significant part of his story.

“It feels like a homecoming,” Koster said. However, this visit is especially meaningful — not only because it’s the first time he’s returned to Athens since graduating but also because it represents a celebration of the connections and experiences that shaped his career.

Although this return is a big deal for Koster, School of Media Arts and Studies Director Josh Antonuccio equally feels the excitement of having the band come to Athens, as well as a reunion with Koster with whom he played with while they were both undergraduates.

“I remember listening to Pink Floyd around the time we met, a band who was huge for both of us”, Antonuccio explained of their college years. “Seeing Bo go to being with MMJ and then on to tour with Roger Waters was surreal. I remember being in an arena audience watching him play the intro to the iconic ‘Great Gig in the Sky’. It was stunning, thinking of how full circle he had come in that moment.”

For Koster, becoming the keyboardist for the major indie band My Morning Jacket wasn’t a straightforward one. Originally from Lakewood, Ohio, Koster’s first attempt at a formal music education led him to a music school after high school, but it just wasn’t the right fit. After making the difficult decision to leave, he transferred to Ohio University, reconnecting with friends and immersing himself in the music scene. While at OHIO, Koster studied political science and economics, but his passion for music was always there. He would jam out in a small basement room in James Hall with Antonuccio and played in local bands, including Easy Steam Engine, and all over Athens like at Casa Nueva and The Dugout, all while dreaming of a future as a full-time musician.

After graduating in 1996, Koster’s path took him to Los Angeles, where he pursued various musical opportunities, from playing with jazz musicians to working with acclaimed artists like Mike Garson. But it was a chance encounter at a party that led him to My Morning Jacket. After an audition, he joined the band in 2003, and his career skyrocketed. He toured the world with My Morning Jacket, played alongside legends like Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, and contributed to albums that became pillars of indie rock.

Over the years, Koster and Antonuccio lost touch, each forging their own paths in the music world.

But life has a funny way of reconnecting people. About 10 years ago, when My Morning Jacket was touring through Columbus, the two reconnected. In the years to follow, the idea to bring the band to Ohio University, specifically looking at the Music Industry Summit, began to take shape.

“Bo was always such an incredible musician and I have loved seeing all he’s accomplished,” Antonuccio, who is also the director of the Music Industry Summit, said. “As the Music Industry Summit has grown, we are always looking at ways to bring back our alumni in the creative industries. It’s about creating opportunities for students to learn directly from people who have made it in the world. So we thought—why not try go get Bo and My Morning Jacket back to OU?”

Getting any major artist to Athens though is no simple task, and My Morning Jacket was no exception. Touring bands have countless variables, from album releases to tour schedules, but after working for nearly a year to make it happen, the timing finally aligned.

"Josh and I have been talking about this for years—it's always tough to get the schedule to work, and Athens is not your typical tour stop,” Koster said. “We tried to make it happen, but it had to be the right time and fit into our touring schedule. We never quite figured it out until recently when he mentioned doing a keynote speech and a show. That’s when I said, 'Finally, we’re doing it!' We had just the right window and Josh had advocated for years to make this happen, and I’m so glad we could make it work."

Although scheduling My Morning Jacket for the Music Industry Summit in March didn’t work out, the band was eager to find time on their tour to connect with the Athens community and students. With their new album on the way and a packed schedule, Antonuccio and his team identified a special opportunity for a one-off event. On April 17, My Morning Jacket will perform at Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium, hosted by the Music Industry Summit and OHIO Live.

“During this concert, I hope this community hear sounds that make them feel something, connected to something bigger than themselves, and that they share a beautiful moment with others in the room. Ultimately, we do what we do to connect to something larger than ourselves, to experience joy, and to create good art that makes people feel more human,” Koster explained.

In addition to the concert, a conversation with My Morning Jacket will also be held at 2 p.m. at the Athena Cinema prior, where the band will talk about their new album, the music industry and provide insight into their experiences and success. The conversation will be hosted by fellow OHIO alum and well-known podcaster, Rob Harvilla. 

"It’s incredibly valuable for young people to hear how others have navigated their way through life and found their calling,” Koster said. “At 18 or 19, it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to do, and I feel lucky that I knew I was drawn to the piano and music. It felt like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I enjoy sharing that with younger people—what it takes, how it happens, and how they can carve their own path to find their niche in the world.”

As for students today who come to the concert or conversation, Antonuccio hopes they’ll take away a message of persistence and passion.

“Bo’s story is a great example of how you have to take risks and follow what matters to you. He went to LA, and that’s where things really took off. You never know what will happen when you follow your heart,” Antonuccio said. “And Bo’s story with MMJ is not just about the music—they’ve built a fan community, a loyal following that understands the ethos of the band. They’re a reminder that if you do things right, it can resonate with so many people.”

As My Morning Jacket prepares for their next chapter — a new album produced by Brendan O’Brien, who has worked with legends like Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen — Koster continues to embrace the unpredictable nature of life on the road. And though his career has taken him all over the world, he is grateful it has brought him back to Athens if only for one night.