Nathaniel Rateliff, one of the most extraordinary bleeding hearts of our time, and the Night Sweats, who deserve equal spotlight and seem not to know how to play an imperfect set, put on a genuinely awe-striking show at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena in support of their ‘South of Here’ album – out everywhere now.
This tour marks the tenth anniversary of their SMASH hit debut, self-titled album (you know, the one that gave us that song everyone and their mother knows with the great music video…) and the band has never neglected Canada. As someone who caught them on that tour and has been following since, it was a real treat to see them in an arena with so much more room on stage to dance.
An arena show isn’t just about the seat count or the different soundscape, it is an opportunity for the band to put on a visual show they’d never have the room for at a smaller venue. The lights, the physical setup, the multi-screen aesthetic, the room for a big band like this to spread out, and so much more – all of it amplifying an already dynamic performance. The stage aesthetic was a marvel in itself, reminiscent of something that Elton John would put together with illuminated steps to Rateliff’s piano and vanity-style lights surrounding the screens and stage. Captivating, to say the least, the bigger stage for Rateliff’s fancy footwork was another bonus. The musician wears his soul on his sleeve (he did get his start in a gospel band, after all) and unmistakably has the music inside of him, dancing and clapping the night away with fans.
The band didn’t waste any time while shouting out their recent release making sure we Northerners know that the album title does not indicate any form of alliance with the current “f***ed up” state of the country they are from, either. “We love you, Canada,” Rateliff exclaimed mid-set. “We aren’t falling for it, this divisiveness tactic caused by our government. They don’t represent us and we don’t stand with them. We stand with you. We love you so god damn much,” Rateliff continued, adding that they have no interest in partaking in a sick divide-and-conquer ploy. “Thank you all so much for all of your years of support,” he said while making his appreciation for Canadian music known and giving love to a generations-wide list of bands from the north.
The love is reciprocal, too. For those uninitiated, the band embarked on a co-headlining tour with City and Colour last year, skyrocketing their already firm Canadian fanbase and making way for this very tour. After the co-headlining tour crossed our nation, they headed down to Australia, where we can only suspect they made quick friends with The Teskey Brothers, who they brought with them on this tour.
It’s not every day that you see an opening band given an hour-long slot, and man are we ever glad The Teskey Brothers were.
Sensational in any room, I had the pleasure of catching The Teskey Brothers’ matinee – yes you heard that right – show last year at Massey Hall in support of their ‘The Winding Way’ album and these soulful Australian blues-rockers never disappoint. Talk about a band for the fans – two shows quite literally back to back is no easy feat!
The opportunity to see the band in two vastly different venues with barely a year between shows made for a unique experience, spotlighting their versatility and range. The brothers and their airtight band played to the crowd as engagingly as they did at Massey Hall, with John Teskey’s soul-scorching wails travelling to every corner of the room as much as his out-of-this-world two-minute harmonica solo and Sam Teskey’s entirely staggering guitar playing. The rest of the band sure doesn’t blend into the background either. It’s no wonder that Rateliff knew The Teskey Brothers were the perfect choice to share the stage with on this tour.
The sheer soul is unbelievable in both of these bands and their frontmen make that apparent as they hold their chests while they deliver truly remarkable performances, somehow nearly as intimately as a small venue show.
Connect with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats : Website || Instagram || Facebook || Twitter/X
Connect with The Teskey Brothers: Website || Spotify || Facebook || Instagram || TikTok
Be sure to check out Live Nation Ontario to see all of the artists they’ll be bringing to Toronto.
