Photos: Mat Keaney & Robert Francis @ House Of Blues, 2.25.2012

On Saturday night, Elliott and I went to the House of Blues for the sold out Mat Kearney & Robert Francis show. I hadn't seen Robert Francis since he opened for Noah and the Whale at the Casbah in 2009 and though Mat comes to town relatively frequently, I think the last time I caught him was on a KPRI summer cruise, also in '09. Mat released his third major label full length, Young Love, in August of 2011 and while his singles "Hey Mama" and "Ships In The Night"have gotten steady radio love, it is critical TV and ad placements that make his music so familiar and it is his consistent touring that makes him so loved by his always growing fanbase. I have to admit that over the years, I've only been a partial fan...I dig his voice and many of his songs, but I've never ever been into the white-guy-raps-with-a-guitar-thing. Fortunately at this show, it was kept to a minimum and I was bopping my head along to the sugary music along with the rest of the crowd.

As for Robert, I hear he's releasing a new record soon, so hopefully we'll get him back at the Casbah where he can be a tad rougher around the edges than he is for this polished crowd. There's not a lot of edge here, but this is definitely music I could play on a roadtrip with my parents and my 13 year old godsister and everyone would be okay with it. These aren't just sexy guys with guitars wooing the ladies with their songs (though it doesn't hurt that they're so good looking), but they woo the dudes in the crowd into thinking they're just bros singing between surf sessions and they're gonna grab a brewski with them after the show. Mat remains likable even during awkward moments, like when he engaged with the crowd. I didn't hear the first part of the exchange, but it evolved into him chatting with an audience member. "What do you play?" "Drums." "What kind of kit do you play?" "Pearl." Mat went on to insult that the guy played Pearl. Then to backpedal, said something like, 'No, I didn't mean it that way, you probably can't afford something better'.  To apologize for that, he pulled the guy onstage to beat on a suitcase during an acoustic performance of "All I Have".  The setlist is pictured above, though I will add that since it was the final night of the tour, Robert Francis and his band were invited out for the encore when they performed Adele's "Fire To The Rain" and added Tom Petty's "Learning To Fly" before closing with "Hey Mama". Click the jump for more photos.

Thursday Newsy Tidbits: Monolith Festival, Elvis Perkins, Kelly Clarkson,

A couple weeks ago I mentioned the Monolith Concert at Red Rocks because the festival is a week before Street Scene and I was hoping that some of the bands would naturally make their way our way a week later. While that may or may not happen (Flaming Lips, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Decemberists, I'm talking to you!!), Andrea thought I should mention that YOU could PLAY Monolith if selected. They are accepting submissions from bands via SonicBids or US Mail. For more info, check it here, but do it soon, because the deadline for entries is June 20th.

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Elvis Perkins has just announced a North American tour. He will be appearing in San Diego at 4th and B in support of Joan Armatrading. Tickets range from $20 for General Admission to $50 for reserved seating. I recently found out that Elvis Perkins' album was produced by Ethan Gold, a talented LA musician in his own right, and a member of the Honey Brothers, a New York based band with Adrien Grenier (Vince of Entourage).
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Kelly Clarkson has cancelled her entire US tour, apparently due to low US sales, but I'm sure a lot of other issues factor in. Like this tour had pretty weak support. I really wanted to like Mat Kearney when I saw him last year at House of Blues but other than his single, "Nothing Left To Lose", I couldn't get into him. Also, Exposé? Really? Well shit, let me put back on my scrunchie layered socks and acid wash jeans because that's what I was wearing the last time I heard the name Exposé. Anyway, you can read more about the cancellation here. Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.
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ciao for now

Late Newsy Bits:

From San Diego County Fair:

Singers Paul Anka and Engelbert Humperdinck, hip hop group Gym Class Heroes and Banda stars La Banda Machos are the latest entertainers to be added to the San Diego County Fair's Summer Concert Series, presented by Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort San Diego North on the Grandstand Stage. Tickets for these shows and more are on sale now.

Way to lock it in, guys. This has got to be close to the worst. music. year. ever. for the fair. Guess my 'best show ever' for the fair is solidly locked in with Juanes. Who was your favorite headliner?
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Andrea felt I was being dismissive by not posting this concert announcement, but as I told her, I watched Kelly Clarkson on Letterman last night over Feist on Leno, so while I might not be racing out to buy her CDs, it actually makes me happy when Gabe Vega throws on "Since You've Been Gone" at the Beauty Bar.

Kelly Clarkson is hitting the road to support her latest album My December. She'll be making a stop at the San Diego Sports Arena on Friday, September 21, 2007 and she's bringing her friend Mat Kearney. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, May 12 @10 am

I'll take one media/photo pass, thank you very much.