A picturesque late fall evening’s cool air greeted us we hustled through Atlanta’s Historic 5 Points to the Variety Playhouse. Inside the jam-packed venue, an eclectic and diverse crowd’s collective pulse raced in anticipation for their Hasidic hero to storm the stage. As the lights went down and the first strains of musical notes swirled from the large mounted box speakers, the crowd patiently awaited Matisyahu to emerge from behind the curtain.

Once he hit the stage an instantaneous electricity filled the room and sparked the delight of its patrons. Long and lean of stature, Matisyahu gyrates and grooves to his band and then steps to the mike. He sings/croons/toasts/preaches/raps/beat-boxes to the razor sharp music as his band courses seamlessly through his repertoire. He seems at equal ease singing from a praise hymnal or toasting with his Eek-A-Mouse-sounding vocal delivery or his other worldly beat-boxing. At points in the show it’s as if his voice is a gold coin, locked away in a velvet box, at other points it’s right there with you, front and center. He can be forceful with an urgent message or quiet and dreamy-and you believe him because it’s convincing and authoritative.

The first set was filled with music from Matis’ upcoming album, Light, as well as other favorites, such as the opener, See To Sea and was generally a more mellow showcase and a yin to the yang of the second set. The undeniably explosive second set opened with a Close My Eyes that propelled the band through the more upbeat and funky repertoire.

“You got no water-how you gonna survive?”

Matisyahu’s band is locked in and tight. They would be an amazing band without Matisyahu’s considerable talent. Guitarist Aaron Dugan’s quick, adept and prodigious fret work is prominently displayed throughout the show as well as Rob Marscher’s tasteful and dramatic synth and keyboard work.

READ ON for more from Matisyahu at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse…

The night was a lyrical/musical victory for Matisyahu and crew. I witnessed several barely pubescent crowd surfers, scores of ‘tweeners and many curious observers from the local Jewish community. Personally, I had seen Matisyahu three times before. All three shows were in 2005 and let me tell you, this guy has upped his game dramatically– and I liked him before. But his vocal delivery and stage presence have exponentially improved and he has become a much more compelling performer. With prodigious natural gifts and a craft which he and his band have honed, this is a show that’s not to be missed.

The first encore was a rap clinic as Matis brought Nosson on-stage to assist. The electro-driven power-funk rapping style was rapid fire as Matis and Nosson traded lyrical barbs. The show closed with a highly spirited King Without A Crown.The music gave way to fuzzy distortion and the band was gone.

The lights came up and we all felt wiser and dare I say, stronger. We had witnessed one of the most important performers of his generation give a rousing and moving performance. Matisyahu is on his way to becoming legendary.

Matt Andrews

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