Go Behind The Scenes Of Mike’s Journey In “The Upsidedown” Documentary

Before the lights. Before the crowd. Before a single lyric is sung…there’s a moment of stillness. A rendition of “Hand Covers Bruise” plays as the viewer is pulled into the city of Nashville, via an aerial perspective. “The Upsidedown”, a documentary shot, directed, and edited by Jon Kilmer and Mike is about to begin.

We see Mike backstage, warming up his vocal cords, stretching in silence. The air feels heavy with anticipation. Quick cuts of the tour visuals flash in—setting the stage for what would become the beginning of the “Not My First Rodeo” tour on April 10, 2022. It’s not just a performance—it’s a return to self.

At the core of the film is the lows, an album that carries weight, heartbreak, and healing. The doc is less about promotion and more about process—what it really takes to make something honest. This album was his most successful album (and for good reason).

We watch Mike navigate his own internal “upsidedown”—a space where emotions blur and clarity is something you have to fight for. The vulnerability here isn’t for show—it’s raw and honest. Studio sessions are woven between tour footage, giving us a glimpse into a mind that never stops moving, never stops questioning. Hearing insights from producers HOSU and JP adds even more depth. JP’s reaction to Mike’s creative process—how effortlessly ideas and sounds pour out—is genuinely inspiring.

“The Upsidedown” reminds us that art is born in the in-between. In the doubt. In the stretch. In the warm-up before the roar. In the best moments. All of it. Give the doc a watch and make sure to remember the name Jon Kilmer who put it together from god knows how many terabytes of footage.

mike. – The Upsidedown |

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