Dan and Matt Wilson at Pantages Theatre, 2/1/13
Categories: Concert Review, Last Night
 |
| Photo by Stacy Schwartz |
Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis
Friday, February 1, 2013
Some snow covered the streets of Downtown Minneapolis on Friday evening, but that didn't stop fans of Dan and Matt Wilson from filling the seats of the Pantages Theatre. The beautiful theater, the sold-out seats, and the immaculate sound played a lovely backdrop to a night that allowed the brothers to shine. Out of context, Dan described the evening's song choices best with, "[It's] a montage that depicts the passing of our lives."
See Also:
Slideshow: Dan and Matt Wilson at the Pantages, 2/1/13
Dan and Matt Wilson: This is kind of a risky gig for us
Forgoing an opener, Dan and Matt walked onstage in everyday attire, jeans and casual jackets, a glimpse of what the evening held. Opening with "Reception," Matt took the guitar while Dan approached the piano. The Trip Shakespeare tune was stripped down, but not missing any of its magic. The two talented brothers blended harmonies while layering their pieces with the piano, their many guitars, and their additions, Andy Thompson and Ken Chastain -- which Matt renamed "Kandy."
 |
 |
| Photos by Stacy Schwartz |
With "Kandy" leaving the stage, the brothers were left to perform Dan's biggest hit (for Adele) "Someone Like You," a piece that had Dan taking out the piano and replacing it with an acoustic guitar and accompanied by Matt on close-fitting harmonies.
Followed by an intermission that seemed as long as the first set, the two returned to the stage with Matt making a "costume change" into a blue polo shirt. In reference to the cold temps that Minnesota has been experiencing, Dan mentioned his move out to Los Angeles a few years ago, to which the crowd responded with some boos. Chuckling, he changed his statement to, "I've been a prisoner in Los Angeles for a few years -- heavy burdens and responsibilities -- I've become soft. Yesterday and today have been a terrible shock, so when Matt and I do this again, it won't be in February."
Ever grateful for the performance, the audience often shouted out "Thank you" to the duo onstage. The interactions were welcome until they became an intrusion with the many requests, many times for songs that weren't on the setlist -- songs that were not prepared for the evening. Jokingly someone called out a request for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which had Dan laughing and responding with, "That was the best one, yet."
Dan is well known for being able to craft smart pop songs, but Matt cannot be dismissed in that category. Written when he was still a teenager and playing with his band the Love Monsters, "Kiss Away the Tears" brought out nuances reflective of the Replacements and showed the potential in writing that the young Matt had, although he sheepishly called it "juvenilia." From their early days, they jumped to a piece off Dan's upcoming solo album, Love Without Fear. The elder Wilson is excellent at writing about what he knows, life and love, and the lyrics "All I want in this life of mine is for you to take my hand and walk side by side" and melody channel Crosby, Stills, and Nash. With their mother in the audience, the duo brought out her favorite song "Two Wheeler, Four Wheeler." Dan mentioned that playing it was the least they could do since she gave them life.
1 | 2 | Next Page >>
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
