Mat Kearney 3Nov09

Mat Kearney
with Vedera
Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR
3 Nov 2009
Photos by Rachel Coppenhaver

Kansas City band Vedera opened up the show on Tuesday night with an assortment of songs off their new album Stages, which was released last month. Lead singer Kristin Mays alternated between guitar and piano in the half hour set which included the new single “Satisfy” as well as my personal favourite, “Back to the Middle”. This was my second time seeing Vedera perform (see 2008's Eisley show) and it was nice to get to hear some of the newer songs such as “The Rain” live. Kristin's powerful voice certainly does not disappoint. Although much of the crowd did not seem familiar with the band, they certainly won over some new fans as there was a nice line at the merch table to talk to Kristin in between sets. I talked to her about the Spring tour they will be doing with Jack's Mannequin and asked when they will be able to headline their own tour. Hopefully, next winter after supporting some more great bands, she assured me.

The Roseland had filled up by the time Mat Kearney took the stage. He started the show with “All I Have” and “Fire and Rain”, the first two songs off of his newest album City of Black and White. He expressed how great it was to be back in his home state of Oregon (he hails from Eugene) throughout the night, even though it made him nervous as well because he never knew when someone who had changed his diapers would be in the crowd.

Mat kept the show interesting by mixing in Adele's “Chasing Pavements” into his performance of “Girl America” and hopping over the barricade into the crowd for part of another song. “I think that's the first time I've ever been bumped and grinded with at my own concert. You know who you are,” he said upon returning to the stage. He added that he admired the fan's enthusiasm, but he didn't know how to do that 'tootsie roll' thing.

After only making the crowd wait a minute or two, Mat began the three-song encore beginning with “City of Black and White” which he finished by using a retro “Elvis” style microphone on the last chorus, and ending with singing “the city of Portland, Oregon” which evoked huge cheers from the crowd.

For the final song of the night, he called Vedera back on stage to perform with his band. Mat must have been feeling it because he ended up on top of the piano to finish the song. Mat Kearney had a camera crew filming the show, as well as asking some people lined up before the show a few questions, so perhaps we will see a tour DVD soon? *UPDATE BELOW*

Mat's tour vlog about this show from his official YouTube.

Mat Kearney	Vedera
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