There’s a special power to the music of Swedish folk artist Kristian Matsson who operates as The Tallest Man On Earth. On the surface his songs have a simplicity that is charming but it’s how and what he’s singing that allows his songs to shine with incredible perspective, depth, and emotion. Seeing him live allows all of this to come together in the ultimate fashion. I have yet to see a performance from him that hasn’t left me completely touched.
teamed up with the New York City chamber ensemble yMusic for a new EP that features some of his work. They also joined him for a bunch of special tour dates at Brooklyn’s Pioneer Works. The performance saw Matsson perform old favorites that were dressed up with the yMusic treatment, as well as a few new songs and covers of Joan Baez’s “East Virginia” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
The venue was overheated but made that much cooler with a great crowd who sang along with each and every one of Matsson’s words. The way he commands a room is a thing to behold and will never lose his power. As long as he keeps performing, I’ll keep coming.
Find some more photos from his performance posted below, along with the setlist.
The Tallest Man On Earth Setlist:
1. Intro (yMusic)
2. There’s No Leaving Now
3. 1904
4. Revelation Blues
5. Eleven (yMusic song, performed by yMusic without Tallest Man On Earth)
6. East Virginia (Joan Baez Cover)
7. Rivers
8. Love Is All
9. On Every Page
10. In Little Fires
11. Like The Wheel
12. I Won’t Be Found
13. All I Can Keep Is Now
14. Music in Circles (yMusic song, performed by yMusic without Tallest Man On Earth)
15. Fields of Our Home
16. Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell Cover)
17. The Gardener
18. Time Of The Blue
19. Bright Lanterns
20. Dark Bird Is Home
Encore:
21. The Dreamer
22. Wind and Walls
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