Nitefall On The River

A local radio station has this summer concert series along the riverfront downtown. Some of the artists I don't know, some I don't like, but once in a while there is one that I both know AND like. This week it was Matt Nathanson, and so... let's head to the riverfront!

It's a nice grass amphitheater,

with the stage jutting out into the water,

and a great view of the downtown skyline for the audience.

The crowd began filling in, but didn't really get packed out until the opening act (a new band from Kansas called Quiet Corral) was about half done.

These guys were good, sort of like the Decemberists in tone and style, and had their first EP available at the merch table for only 5 bucks. Nice.

The lights came on right about the time the headliner stepped to the mike, somewhere around my second bratwurst of the night.

By that time, the grass bank had filled in nicely, the beer was flowing, and Nathanson did his usual great job of connecting with the crowd. Such a personable guy on stage.

And he played/chatted for a good hour and a half, until the younger couples with little kids (who were getting a little fussy by that time) started maneuvering their strollers up and out of the venue.

So while night fell on the river...
he played "Come On Get Higher",
everybody sang along (me, too),
and it was time to head home.