Modern Minstrels

Matt Nathanson at Sweetwater

Matt is currently on tour with Carbon Leaf, but before he left for the tour he did a special Bay Area show, which I (along with several of my co-workers) happily attended.

The show was at the SweetWater Saloon in Mill Valley (just north of SF), which was a fantastic, tiny venue. We ended up being only 3 or 4 rows back from the front, which was great. Matt came out wearing a larger sombrero, and thanked us all for coming because he knew everyone was only there because they "couldn't get tickets to see Guns N Roses" who were also playing that night. To ease the pain, he treated us to the intro of Sweet Child O' Mine. Oh, and he also invented a new word: pyronecrobestiality. Don't ask...

The set was a good mix of classic Matt songs and a bunch of stuff from the new full band album coming out later this fall. Highlight of the set was almost certainly the full band version of the new song Detroit Waves. Matt played that song solo when I saw him back in May and I loved it then. And the full band version rocked just as hard as expected.

It's been too long since the show for me to remember many more specific details, but needless to say, Matt was as entertaining as always. Also, I got my first ever setlist! I saw it setting on the keyboard after the show when I went back to the bathroom, but I felt kind of bad about just yoinking it, so I didn't. However, when I came out of the bathroom, Aaron (the keyboardist) was there putting equipment away, so I asked if I could have the set list and he said "Sure! It's not totally accurate, but it's all yours." w00t!

If his tour is coming near you, I highly recommend you go...I guarantee you will enjoy it. I know I'm hoping he does another special SF show after the tour ends.