M. Ward's February 7, 2013 concert at The Orpheum in downtown Los Angeles was a most memorable event. The concert had been postponed from it's original October, 2012 date because of illness. Due to the postponement, I was able to return my good seats and keep an eye out for better seats. We ended up with tickets on the center aisle ten rows from the stage.
The venue is a magnificently restored, early twentieth century theatre that is rather intimate for it's size. The intricately appointed opera box seats make the historic theatre even more memorable. I go to many shows in California and Nevada, and I've never seen a more beautiful theatre. The sound was crystal clear throughout.
This is the third time I've seen Matt Ward perform with his solo backing group. Surprisingly, it turned out to be my second gig where "Him" was joined onstage by "She" (Zooey Descahanel). Her vocal prowess has increased significantly since the release of their "Volume One" album in 2008. Their performance of Daniel Johnston's "Sweetheart" was a highlight on a special night. That is a supreme compliment because the show was exquisitely crafted and performed. Matt's superb guitar solos were, as always, accompanied by expert musicians, including Mike Coykendall, whose work on electric guitar enhances Ward's own master fingering.
Every song was a gem. Four songs penned by Daniel Johnston highlighted the show that drew almost exclusively from M. Ward's last four albums. The great songwriter's work has found an artist who has made it accessible to the masses, something Daniel Johnston could never have done by himself.
The show closed with a rousing rendition of the Rivieras '60s surf classic "California Sun"