Concert Review: The Tallest Man on Earth Live at the Pabst Theater

Promoting his third studio album, There's No Leaving Now, which was released on June 11 of this year, Kristian Matsson, who performs under the name The Tallest Man on Earth, set out on an international tour.  And, being a fan since his debut album Shallow Grave, I decided to get a piece of the action at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, WI on the evening of Sunday August 5.  I have had a few great experiences with the Pabst in the past and was looking forward to seeing one of my favorite folk musicians in an intimate setting.

Though he is often compared to American folk artists such as Dylan and Woody Guthrie, The Tallest Man on Earth has acquired a good deal of "indie cred" through opening for acts like Bon Iver and positive Pitchfork reviews.  So needless to say there were plenty of thick-framed-glasses-wearing, Pabst-Blue-Ribbon-tall-boy-sipping hipsters in the crowd.  And while waiting in line to get in, I couldn't help but wonder how many of those glasses were actually prescription and whether or not these people really like the taste of PBR or just wanted to fit in.

What I love most about the Pabst is the acoustics which really compliment these types of solo acts, and The Tallest Man on Earth was no exception.  The sound quality was as good as if not better than any of his records as he powered through a 16-song set containing 8 of the 10 songs on his new record, scattering various selections from his previous catalog which includes 2 EPs and 2 other full-lengths.  Though half of the set was new material, Matsson's flawless performances and charming stage banter made for a fantastic show.  Highlights included a performance of the new single "1904," "It Will Follow The Rain" off of his first EP, and of course "The Gardener" from Shallow Grave and "King of Spain" off of 2010's The Wild Hunt.  An overall satisfying set list to say the least.

What really makes The Tallest Man on Earth worth seeing live, though, is his enthusiastic stage presence. The man is a guitar virtuoso who really knows how to belt out a folk song, let alone write one.  All while keeping a humble persona between songs, thanking the crowd repeatedly for listening.  "No, thank you!" the drooling hipster-chick behind me kept yelling.

I highly recommend catching him on this tour if you are a fan of folk singer/songwriters or quality musical performances in general. 

9/10 PBR Tall Boys