Mat Kearney has been coming to Chicago often since he released Nothing Left to Lose in 2006. He started at Schubas and has since played at the Metro, the Chicago Theatre, and the Riviera Theatre. This is his first time playing at the Vic Theatre. He has built his fan base solidly through all this touring and by releasing a solid stream of albums.
They open with “Headlights Home” from his brand new self titled album. It’s a beautiful song and it instantly proves that he is still writing great music.
He follows it up with “Anywhere With You” from his 2021 album, January Flower. “Found there’s only so much / You wanna see alone … I’d go anywhere with you / I know you feel the same thing that I do”. This is another lovely song that has the couples swaying back and forth together.
Later on he plays “Money” from his 2018 album, “CRAZYTALK”. “My girl is money, money / Dollar, dollar bill / Ain’t nothin’ like her, nah, nah, nah / Can’t live without her, nah, nah, nah.” This is such a fun and sweet song.
Midway in the set, Kearney plays another song from the same album, “Wanted Man”. It’s just Mat on acoustic guitar. It’s so great when a band can switch gears like this. To have slow parts and fast parts really creates a full show. “I ain’t no Butch Cassidy or Sundance Kid / But I stole your heart with a-just one kiss / You were there by my side when the only reward / Was ridin’ shotgun in that Honda Accord / You’re my partner in crime when you take my hand / You make me feel like, a wanted man.” Wow, what a romantic love song for a wedding.
Towards the end of the night, he plays “Ships In The Night” from his 2011 album, “Young Love”. This is his most popular song on Spotify with over 61.5 million streams. It features his style of speak-singing on the verses.
At the end of the encore, he closes with the title track from his 2006 album, “Nothing Left to Lose” from 2006. It sounds just as fresh as it did 18 years ago!
See a similar setlist here.
Cost of a ticket: $51
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother Quinn Delaney
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +
Quinn Delaney
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