It would be easy to pigeonhole San Francisco’s Matt Nathanson as the next John Mayer. After all, he’s got one of those boy-next-door names, not unlike that of Mr. Mayer himself or those of his cronies Jack Johnson, Howie Day and Josh Kelley. And he’s got the looks to charm: like a huskier Matthew Perry who carries a lady-killing smile both on and off stage.
But Nathanson is much more than the next highly produced voice you’re likely to hear on G105 or the next pretty face you’re likely to see on MTV. In fact, Nathanson’s voice may be a bit too individual (and too edgy) for pop radio. His major-label debut Beneath These Fireworks, recorded with his heroes David Garza, Matt Chamberlain and Glen Phillips in what he describes as his own “fantasy baseball camp,” is ready for radio. But radio may not be ready for Nathanson.
O.A.R. –a grassroots success story of five friends who kept finding more friends who kept digging their reggae-fueled acoustic rock a la The Samples–will headline, but show up early for Nathanson. The show starts at 9 p.m.
