The band came out to “Shoe Boot” from their latest effort Tearing at the Seams. It was a great pairing with Nathaniel Rateliff who spent a decade and a half plugging away at music, scraping by, working hard to make a living, before he exploded after hooking up with the Night Sweats. Whether it was a heartfelt song like “Age Don’t Mean a Thing” or a swinger like “Get It While You Can,” he was a captivating presence. He humbly asked the crowd if they’d come back out if he brought his band back on their own and the crowd erupted, and they meant it.

He was soulful, he was groovy, he was animated and most of all he was genuine. On this night, at 65 years old, he tore the attention of the fans away from glowing screens and onto the stage. He persevered and released his debut album at 62 years old, an album that got the attention of Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame, who produced his follow up GOIN’ PLATINUM! Luckily, Robert Finley is a special artist. It takes a special artist and a special performance to engage that crowd and get them to pay attention. It’s easy for the headliner, the act people paid money to see, to grab their attention. People are talking, checking their phones, taking selfies, tagging themselves at the venue to see the main event. You’re generally there for professing your art you’ve devoted yourself to for a large gathering of people who frankly are just there waiting for someone else.

Nathaniel rateliff setlist