Expectations were high as I waited outside of the Orpheum Theater last Wednesday, excited to see what Mat Kearney would perform for his stop in Madison. His last album, Just Kids came out in 2015 and his last well-known hit, “Ships in the Night” dropped nearly eight years ago. I was curious to see what Kearney’s performance would unveil and I was pleasantly surprised — though he has new music, the same relaxed and upbeat songs were still there.
Kearny just started his CRAZYTALK Tour in February and has been working his way to the Midwest from the West Coast. Under new management, his music has taken on a new, yet familiar, sound. The show started with electronic music laced into recent songs like “Face to Face” and “Better Than I Used to Be,” while still embracing the soothing melody of a guitar and band. He seamlessly transitioned into his other hits with constants like the strumming of guitar and beat of the drums. The acoustics were so on-point and calming that I eventually fell asleep.
Seriously, I fell asleep for one-third of the set.
I woke up just in time for Kearney to perform his last song, “Ships in the Night,” to a well-receptive audience. The crowd had grown in excitement and
His ability to stay relevant in a time of changing music styles, while maintaining his sound (exhibited in “Kings & Queens”) prevents him from facing the same fate of other mid-2000 rock artists and bands like The Script and more. With that, I genuinely look forward to seeing what Mat Kearney will bring next to the table.
