Lively Tunes

As I walked into SOhO to see anticipated artist, Matt Costa, I brushed past casually dressed attendants wearing flip flops and flannels; it was a mellow and subdued crowd. Most clutched their beer in hand and swayed to the lethargic sounding tunes of the opening act, Delta Spirit. Sleepy and hungry I decided to order an appetizer with my friends. Needless to say, although delicious, the tiny three pieces of ahi tuna just left my wallet a little emptier and my stomach growling for more. As Delta Spirit finished their set, I struck up a conversation with an attendee. “I’m very impressed with this opening band. They’re a mix of rockabilly, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan,” commented Molly Moylan, who was visiting from London. She also said how much she was enjoying the music scene in S.B.

A brief break before Costa came on led attendees outside to the patio where the cold air seemed to re-energize the crowd after the sluggish feeling the first band delivered. Small cliques of friends laughed and looked satisfied to be out enjoying the evening.

Then Costa came on stage with charismatic charm and got the crowd clapping right away. The room grew loud with cheering and dancing as Costa’s shoulder length brown hair whipped around as he sang passionately. His every movement was done with intensity and skill. His whole arm flung downward when he would stroke the guitar. And the way his voice rasped when he hit certain notes, made catchy melodies altogether sexy. One enamored fan yelled out, “I want to be your wife.” The drummer’s panache, complete with 70’s style mustache, added a touch of humor and lightness to the slower, more serious songs. Later in the set, when Costa combined harmonica and guitar, the crowd went wild. His talent and creativity shined through a big, contagious smile he wore. An attendee summed up the evening with an insightful thought: “I almost left after the first band, but I’m so glad I stayed. This is a good show. We need more like this.”