For a few hours on a Saturday night, everything was alright. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats brought their signature energy to San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, delivering a show fit for a stadium. The band, known for their mix of soul, rock, and blues, oozed comfort, skill, and musicality. Rateliffe commanded the stage whether he was singing, behind the keyboard, or playing guitar. Fundamentally he entertained.
San Francisco
Nathaniel loves San Francisco. He shared a funny story about a misadventure from years ago when the band was in town. After eating brownies they didn’t realize were infused with cannabis—or at least not as much as they thought—things quickly went sideways. The band members got separated, and some didn’t make it back to their accommodations. One even became convinced, through paranoia, that they had seen a dead body in a car, when in fact it was just another person spending the night in their vehicle.
The Night Sweats were on point throughout the show. One highlight was Nathaniel bringing the horn section to the front of the stage. The song sounded vibrant and modern but channeled early and mid-twentieth-century New Orleans and other Southern and American musical traditions. Later in the show, the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” was a crowd-pleasing highlight. Another standout moment was the extended keyboard solo leading into a raucous performance of ‘S.O.B.’—the song that helped catapult them to international fame. There was a religious zeal to the crowd’s energy.
Iron & Wine Opens
While Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats brought the house down, the night began with a more introspective set by Iron & Wine. He performed solo with just an acoustic guitar. His set was a masterclass in dynamic intensity, sometimes reminiscent of James Taylor. At one point he hit a dissonant note by accident, and the crowd cheered in appreciation, creating a sincere and supportive moment of connection.
It wasn’t a perfect night, but it didn’t need to be. For a few hours, everything was exactly as it should be—lively, genuine, and full of good music.
