The singer-songwriter and opening act Judah & The Lion connected with the sold-out crowd all night to kick off the week amid gorgeous weather, leaving folks “Dancing in the Dark.” (Review, photo gallery)
Igniting the Crowd: Mat Kearney on Monday night at Frederik Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
The World Cup. The National Anthem. Mat Kearney playing to a sold-out amphitheater.
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A few things that can get a whole venue standing at once.
Regaling ‘Just Kids’ and More: Kearney on stage Monday. (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
Somewhere left of Maroon Five and Ed Sheeran, there is self-proclaimed “black sheep” Mat Kearney playing his own brand of pop-rock complete with falsettos and vocalizations, but with the heart of a singer-songwriter and a dash of hip hop for good measure.
Backed by a four-piece band that included Phil Moore on bass (whose never-ending supply of dance moves and energy made him a crowd favorite), Kearney pumped up Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday night with dynamic songs fit for stadiums.
The capacity crowd of 1,900 spent nearly the whole show on its feet, mostly because Kearney brought so much energy to his performance. “[This is] the greatest place to be in July,” Kearney said after his opening numbers, addressing a multi-generational audience that exuded the feel of friends at a backyard evening cookout, “on the most beautiful night of the year.”
Opening for Kearney was Judah & the Lion, a Nashville band blending folk and bluegrass with Top 40 lyricism and drums, perfectly tailored for the 20-somethings they often sing about.
HIGHLIGHTS
The latter half of Kearney’s set seemed to be a cavalcade of sing-along’s and hits from his discography, with the largest reaction reserved for “Runaway” when the singer headed into the crowd, high-fiving fans and posing for selfies as beach balls began to be tossed all around.
Ideal Opener: Judah & The Lion won over fans on Monday. (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
Promising a song “pulled from the American Songbook,” Kearney invited Judah & the Lion on stage at one point and proceeded to launch into a true classic, “Uptown Funk” — igniting the crowd with the banjo- and mandolin-driven cover rendition.
Covers truly were a hit with the audience, something proven earlier on in the evening when Judah & the Lion played an extended version of their song “Twenty-Somethings” that included “We Built This City” by Starship with a synchronized dance routine, a hint of “Gold Digger” of Kanye West and Jamie Foxx fame, and a few verses and a chorus of the R. Kelly hit, “Ignition (Remix)”.
Kearney gave the crowd what it wanted during the encore with his 2011 single, “Ships In the Night,” from the album, “Young Love” — with a catchy hook and relatable verses, as well as propulsive drums. Combined with a dutiful rendition of Springsteen’s appropriately titled, “Dancing In the Dark,” Kearney ended the night with a one-two punch that left many satisfied.
QUIPS AND QUOTES
“I’m moving here. Everyone has lake houses now, right? I’ll get one of those.” – Kearney
Kearney can “really connect with the crowd.” – Fan Steve Hoekwater of Ada, commenting on the concert’s true live-wire experience for the audience.
“I really like the energy they bring. I really hope they make it big. It’s only a matter of time before they have a tour of their own.” – Fan Scott Matthews of Holland, praising opening act Judah & The Lion.
PHOTO GALLERY: MAT KEARNEY AND JUDAH & THE LION
Photos by Taylor Mansen
