matt nathanson at rough trade

matt nathanson takes rough trade nyc for a spin

my american idol

best first concert at radio city: kelly clarkson.  the reason why shar hasn't had the pleasure of seeing a gig at the famed radio city is largely due the hefty price tags.  i did fork it over when matt nathanson was announced as her opener.  matt and i go back, way back to my younger years in sf.  he was a local troubadour and i, one of his street team members.  i even once unintentionally forced him to give me a hug at starbucks.  true story, ask jackie.  his set largely took from his latest this modern love with a sprinkling from some mad hope.  not much from his older albums and a little disappointed that kelly didn't come out to duet on "run", which originally was recorded with jennifer nettles of sugarland.  it could have been magic.

for the main attraction, kelly did not disappoint.  are you surprised?  this coming from a super fan, but my pal rachel was witnessing her first dose of kelly live and was thoroughly loving it.  she opened up with "dark side", then followed up with hits "behind these hazel eyes" and "since u been gone".  i was surprised she busted out quite a few covers:  florence and the machine's "heavy in your arms", "my man" (babs) and a timely cover of etta james' "i'd rather go blind".  the later was perfection and probably made etta proud. kelly did a medley of tunes for her five albums.  a great way to cover people's favs.  she pretty much got all of mine except she didn't play my favorite oldie "beautiful disaster".  ahhh, you can't have it all.  here's the set list in case you wanted the complete play by play.  i know i'm harping now but i would have liked matt to step in for jason aldean on "don't you wanna stay", instead we got a huge hologram of jason.  all i wanna say is radio city was bumpin' saturday night and kelly still and always will be my american idol. 

reason why shar loves matt

awww, got this and isn't helping my bout of homesickness. love me some matt tho. loved him more when he was anti-twitter. i forgive him because he is adorable.
hey.. pssst, it's matt.
i'm on twitter now.
i know, i know. i said i never would.
well, i lied.
i haven't told the world.
just you.
you should feel special. and loved.
now come and follow my ass!

love,
@_mattnathanson

back to back in the bay

best homecoming concert: matt nathanson @ warfield.  i'm home and matt's home so it's only fitting that i see him. the last time i saw him in new york at roseland i was a little disappointed. not sure if it was the gigantic venue or the crowd.   

matt sprinkled the show with cover interludes like "big country", "losing my religion", "jessie's girl", and "the kids are alright".  he also played oldies but goodies from his ernst album - 

"first time" and "all been said before". matt's first headlining gig at the warfield was a treat and hope there will be more to come.  congrats to you for making it from the brainwash to headlining the warfield.  you deserve all the mad love you get.  lastly, and not least, another converted matt fan = henry!

must concert to brave the rain that never came: jason mraz @ greek theatre. i've never seen jason in an official concert. i did see him in an alice lounge back when i worked there.  the intimate show tied me over until now.  i threw down the dough because lisa hannigan, who i've adored since her stints with damien rice, was opening for him.  she stepped in on "lucky" with jason and hands down sings a better rendition than colbie caillat.  lisa's voice is

ahhhmazing.  the show was a good reunion for some ucsd kids like us (me, leigh-anne and dennis)

only in berkeley moment: passed by this love fest on my way to the greek.

best post-concert grub: el farito on 24th and mission on dia de los muertos.  for all those cali kids who miss a good burrito.  here's to you.