Matt Maeson is, in my opinion, one of the most passionate voices in the indie-folk adjacent industry, and he did not disappoint with his performance at Exit/In. While the Covid-19 pandemic engulfed the world, Maeson transcended to fame on the billboards with his hits “Hallucinogenics” and “Cringe.” To me, this serves as music that takes me back to taking makeshift school and online classes from my own bed. Like those days, Maeson made Exit/In feel like my childhood bedroom as I lent an open ear to a best friend.
Steinza, a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, opened for Maeson and I was instantly wrapped up in his tight-knit Nashville fanbase. He came on stage almost as if he was coming to an after-church gathering where he was playing as a favor to a family friend. His fans helped generate that same warm atmosphere by knowing inside jokes like yelling “Soup!” every time he took a sip of water, all while also singing along for his whole set. As his set went on, I quickly realized why he could create such a tight community — his songs like “The Former” and “Visions Of You” could not be more raw and honest. Each song reminded me of points in my life whether it be a heartbreak or a struggle to move on, which meant even more as he’d explain how and when he first wrote these songs from the heart.
After Steinza wrapped up his set, the sold-out venue of fans was already emotionally primed for Matt Maeson, which I’m sure led to some crying down the line. From the moment Maeson stepped onto the stage, the crowd was absolutely captivated. As he began playing “That’s My Cue,” it was almost as if he cast a spell over the entire venue, the whole room going dead silent as he poured his heart out about his struggles with music success and self-worth. Clearly from Maeson breaking a sweat during “Me and My Friends Are Lonely,” he was leaving everything he had on that stage.
Throughout the set, Maeson played his live album, which would come out a few days later — a homage to his career highlighting his biggest hits and new single “That’s My Cue.” The crowd roared Maeson played “Cringe” and Exit/In turned into a giant family sing-along. As the concert continued, Maeson took a seat at his keyboard to play “Rational” leaving many audience members with tears in their eyes. Just as he had captivated the audience the entire night, his raspy blues voices shined through as he delivered the heartfelt rendition of an already emotional song.
As the night came to a close, Maeson continued singing songs off the soon-to-be-released live album by playing “Legacy,” fitting for a room filled with introspection and self-doubt. With his raw lyrics and powerful voice, Maeson pulled us into his world, letting us know it’s okay to feel lost.
Matt Maeson isn’t just a storyteller, he gave us the comfort to embrace our ups and downs. If you’re ever looking for music that speaks to the soul and reminds you you’re not alone in your struggles, Matt Maeson’s honest and unfiltered discography is exactly where you need to be.
