Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: The Future Tour

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: The Future Tour

Date: October 17th, 2022
Venue: The Anthem
Washington, DC

What’s up everyone, it’s Derek here! I’m back again with another night of music in Washington, DC. This evening we had the honor of hanging out with some of the coolest and most talented bands around. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats along with opener Hiss Golden Messenger prove that there is magic and power in live music. 

From a solo act, to Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel, to now Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Rateliff has been putting in work and moving people for 20 years now but has found stronger commercial success over the last 10. Perhaps you recall one of the songs that launched him further into the public eye with “S.O.B”, a song that showcases Rateliff’s vocal range and powerful rasp that makes yelling “son of a bitch give me a drink!” seems so elegant and right! Throw in some good ol’ foot stomping claps and a horn section that makes you feel as if it’s a religious experience and you’ve got yourself a hit to last forever. 

On the evening of this show we were also gifted the opportunity to see North Carolina folk band Hiss Golden Messenger led by M.C. Taylor.

As they took the stage and began to play it was immediately known that recorded vocals can’t compete with those live, especially when you have a literal golden voice like Taylor’s.

The crowd was into it instantly as they began to sway and tap their feet as the band jammed out. 

Featuring songs across their expansive discography such as “Rock Holy” and “Lost Out in the Darkness” it was a set that didn’t feel rushed and just felt so right and as if the entire room was connected as they enjoyed the sounds.

While this DC show took place on a Monday night, it was a necessity that we got treated with “Saturday’s Song”.

One that makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire on a cool October night while you all tap your feet and as the song progresses you all loosen up just a tad more and the energy grows on a night you never want to end. 

Luckily for us the night was only beginning though as up next was the main event featuring Nathaniel Rateliffs & The Night Sweats. Let’s just take a moment to acknowledge you know it’s going to be a damn good show when the stage is set for a full band including a horn section and spoiler alert, a damn good show it was. 

This is a band that brings you into their world and let you sit and simmer in it for the almost two hour you have the honor of being in it. To get the night started they kicked it odd with the smooth “I’ve Been Failing” which if you’re familiar you know the song maintain a groovy tempo while growing in the chorus and reminds “don’t you weep and don’t you worry” which fits perfectly as shortly after was the song “You Worry Me”.

As it is named The Future Tour it was only fitting that we celebrate the album it’s named after, ‘The Future’ released in November 2021 and its first single put into the wild was the one we got next with “Survivor”. An album full of hits in my opinion and many of which have been on repeat since its release, more on that shortly. Up next we transitioned to a 70s type jazz vibe with “Baby I Lost My Way, (But I’m Going Home)” which really allowed the horn section to shine. 

There were so many memorable moments of the night but perhaps one of the strongest ones for me was during “Face Down In The Moment”. As it seemed to be one that the crowd truly loved as phones came out the moment it began following a horn section intro, but also showcased once again the power of songwriting and passion in performance as a spotlight shined on Nathaniel. In keeping with the power and soulful moments, the song to follow was intended for a show that never happened back in 2020 highlighting his solo album and featured an acoustic performance and sole focus on Rateliff with the title track of “And It’s Still Alright”. 

With all shows, they must eventually come to an end. But not before a few more songs, and they truly brought it home with “Hey Mama”, “Out on the Weekend” and the grand finale of “I Need Never Get Old”. The latter of which brought the synchronized claps, jam session and some good ol tambourine. Of course you can just leave on a high note like that though, you gotta go bigger with an encore, which the crowd really wanted, as the chants amplified. 

Oh what an encore it was too. With a three song goodnight beginning with “Suffer Me” before moving into the ever popular “S.O.B.” which featured some crowd participation to support the clapping and the “ooooohhhs” between verses. A magical moment. Then for the big finish they hit us with a personal favorite of mine, also off ‘The Future’ album with “Love Don’t”. A song that takes some inspiration form “S.O.B” with it’s tempo but grows larger features some incredible vocals and growls as you move deeper into the songs all while teaching you what love ain’t. A truly spiritual moment to experience live. 

Be sure to check out ‘The Future’ now and keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates and new music by clicking here.    

If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

See all the photos from the night here.

Catch This Tour:

December 16—Denver, CO—Ball Arena