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Customer Reviews for M. Ward

M. Ward

Read M. Ward concert reviews and post your own reviews and ratings.

Average rating:

4.4

(43 Reviews) 43

Rating Snapshot (43 reviews)

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41 of 43(95%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

M. Ward Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

Review 1 for M. Ward

5 / 5

M. Ward, just AMAZING

The Orpheum Theater @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- 02/07/2013 @

Favorite moment: M. Ward introducing his "favorite singer", Zooey Deschanel. @

Setlist: Post War, Lullaby & Exile, Chinese Translation,Clean Slate, Poison Cup, To go home, To Save Me, Rave on, For Beginners, Never Had Nobody Like you, I get Ideas, Sweetheart, Me and My Shadow, Primitive Girl, Watch the Show, Helicopter, Rollercoaster, Magic Trick, Post-War, The Crooker Spine/duet for guitars #3, You Really got a hold on me, California Sun, @

Opening act(s): Soul- Junk and Karen Elson @

Posted 02/11/2013

by Abbsters

Location:So Cal.

M. Ward has been my favorite musician for some years now. This was the first time I have seen him live and let me tell you, I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE!.
He started off with "Post War". It was a dimmed stage with just the wonderful and talented Mike Coykendall(guitar/bass) and Scott McPherson(drums) setting the tone, then out came the man, M. Ward bowing at the audience and immediately picking up his Johnny A and strumming the lovely chords for the song. He went on to performing some old favorites like "Chinese Translation", "Sad, sad song" and my personal favorite "Lullaby and Exile". His guitar solos are just Golden! "Duet for guitars #3" is really something amazing. He shows us his acoustic playability skills. so great.
M. didn't say much. He joked about the beautiful evening from the background special effects and later he apologized for being "sick as a brick" and having to cancel in October 2012 which of course, we forgave him.
He performed most of the tracks on his new album "A wasteland Companion" and later introduced his "favorite singer" Zooey Deschanel to the stage where she performed songs that she has been featured in starting with a cover of Smokey Robinson's "You really got a hold on me" (She&him). She performed a few more tracks with M such as Daniel Johnston's "Sweetheart", " and "To go home" Buddy Holly's "Rave on" also "Magic Trick". Her presence gave even more energy to the show. Although M. Ward is a shy person(He hardly said a thing to the audience) He is able to spread so much energy through his band and skillful performance.The show ended with a cover of "California Sun" which was brilliant!. I can't wait to see him again, hopefully SOON!

The Orpheum Theater @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- 02/07/2013 @

Favorite moment: M. Ward introducing his "favorite singer", Zooey Deschanel. @

Opening act(s): Soul- Junk and Karen Elson @

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Review 2 for M. Ward

5 / 5

M. Ward was in incredible

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When he played Chinese translation! @

Opening act(s): Ok @

Posted 02/09/2013

by Kyle59

This was my first M. Ward show and I loved it! Zooey D. Made a surprise appearance! Overall it was an amazing night!

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When he played Chinese translation! @

Opening act(s): Ok @

Reviewer Images:

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Review 3 for M. Ward

3 / 5

M. Ward delivers, but openers were painful.

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When M. Ward finally started playing! @

Posted 02/09/2013

by Girl4green

While M.Ward provided a great and solid show, I could have done without over-hyped Zooey D. And if KCRW had anything to do with the openers, Soul Junk and Karen Elson, I am inclined to rethink renewing my membership. They were, by far, the worst opening acts I've seen in a long time. Thankfully I wasn't there for them and M. Ward renewed my spirits as well as my hope for talent in the music industry.

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When M. Ward finally started playing! @

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Review 4 for M. Ward

5 / 5

Beautiful music at a beautiful theatre

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When She joined Him on stage for Daniel Johnston's sweet "Sweetheart" @

Posted 02/09/2013

by mrhatch186

Location:San Pedro, CA

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"

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: When She joined Him on stage for Daniel Johnston's sweet "Sweetheart" @

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Review 5 for M. Ward

5 / 5

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Posted 02/09/2013

by Anonymous

Although the event was cancelled back in October, the show was more than worth the wait.

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

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Review 6 for M. Ward

5 / 5

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Posted 02/09/2013

by Anonymous

Great show, great venue and opening acts. Sound was good but could have been better.

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

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Review 7 for M. Ward

5 / 5

M. Ward

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Opening act(s): Soul Junk is not ready for prime time. @

Posted 02/09/2013

by jhussar

M. Ward's set was one of the best live performances that I have ever seen.

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Opening act(s): Soul Junk is not ready for prime time. @

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Review 8 for M. Ward

4 / 5

fun!

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: See above @

Posted 02/09/2013

by donjosephus

M. Ward and his band are really good entertainers, they know how to play to a crowd. I was suprised and excited when he had Zoey D. Come out and join him for several songs!

Orpheum Theatre @

- Los Angeles @

, CA @

- Thu, Feb 7, 2013 @

Favorite moment: See above @

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Review 9 for M. Ward

5 / 5

M. Ward for President indeed

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

Posted 02/09/2013

by Motunes

Location:Redwood City

M. Ward is simply one of the really great talents. Period. As if the song writing alone weren't enough. His delivery makes me want to cry on so many levels. He mixed the old and the new. "Clean slate" was mesmerizing. "Never Had Nobody Like You" was true to the hit that it deserves to be. There were introspective moments and some that made me wish the Uptown was a more "rockin' in the aisles" type of venue. I truly wished it could have gone on all night. Well worth the drive to see his only Bay area performance.

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

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Review 10 for M. Ward

4 / 5

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

Posted 02/08/2013

by Babycole

Location:Healdsburg, CA

If there is ANYONE you want to see and they are performing at the Uptown Theatre, you MUST GO!! It is an intimate, magical venue that makes for an amazing evening. M. Ward was great, and the entire vibe of the evening was fantastic!

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

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Review 11 for M. Ward

4 / 5

M Ward really rocks!

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

Favorite moment: Interlude where Ward was onstage by himself playing acoustic @

Setlist: From End of Amnesia to Wasteland Companion - he touched on all. @

Opening act(s): Alela Diane - forgettable @

Posted 02/08/2013

by jharris99

Location:Healdsburg, CA

The band was tight, the set list almost perfect, the mix was good, and the evening was memorable except......a 70 minute show is too short a concert and many in the audience in the audience felt let down. His catalog of songs dictates that the shows should be closer to two hours than one! Hopefully at the Greek in June he and Zooey will spend more time onstage.

Uptown Theatre Napa @

- Napa @

, CA @

- Wed, Feb 6, 2013 @

Favorite moment: Interlude where Ward was onstage by himself playing acoustic @

Setlist: From End of Amnesia to Wasteland Companion - he touched on all. @

Opening act(s): Alela Diane - forgettable @

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

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Review 12 for M. Ward

5 / 5

Portland Aladdin show

Aladdin @

- Portland @

, OR @

- 09/20/2012 @

Opening act(s): Mike Coykendall @

Posted 09/24/2012

by NeilGaimanFan

Location:Portland, OR

Amazing show. His ensemble of energetic, talented musicians made it one of the best shows I've seen and he himself is a favorite of myself and my husband, our first time seeing him live, but definitely not the last! You could tell, even though he didn't say much, that he was glad to be in Portland. He is much more intense live and his guitar playing is really outstanding and Coykendall seemed like he could play all night with the same raucous enthusiasm. We were able to get great seats, though because we showed up very early.

The Aladdin is beautiful, but the seats are awful. AWFUL. Love that it is a small venue, that you can go right up to the stage, but HATE those seats. Lower back pain for days. Also, it got really hot and stuffy in there. Toward the end of Coykendall's set, we were miserable but then they must have opened a door or something...

Aladdin @

- Portland @

, OR @

- 09/20/2012 @

Opening act(s): Mike Coykendall @

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Review 13 for M. Ward

4 / 5

Re Ward

Aladdin Theater @

- Portland @

, OR @

- Thu, Sep 20, 2012 @

Posted 09/22/2012

by Duffman13

First show I've seen at the Alladin, loved the venue! Got there late and found two seats in the second row! M Ward put on an awesome show. Thought it ended a little abruptly, guess he left me wanting more.

Aladdin Theater @

- Portland @

, OR @

- Thu, Sep 20, 2012 @

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Review 14 for M. Ward

4 / 5

Nice show in Prospect Park

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Posted 09/04/2012

by LucaNYC

Location:Brooklyn

M.Ward is great. The concert was really good although a bit short (less than 1:30h). The venue is great as usual...love Celebrate Brooklyn!!!

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

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Review 15 for M. Ward

5 / 5

M. Ward shredded his guitar

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Opening act(s): Yo La Tengo @

Posted 08/11/2012

by MelissyM

This was one of the best concerts I've seen in a while. M. Ward was amazing on his guitar.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Opening act(s): Yo La Tengo @

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Review 16 for M. Ward

4 / 5

great but short

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: The first encore, he and that violin chic played "Story of an Artist" @

Posted 08/10/2012

by marcucu

Location:NY

I love M Ward, I've been seeing him in concert for ten years now, and this last one was good (not as epic as those back in 2003-2005, but fine), but too short. I really liked the fact that he didn't just played songs from "A Wasteland Companion," but indulged a little bit in great songs and covers from albums past. But the bottom line is that he didn't seem as engaged in the show as I've seen him before; he is still an exceptional artist and I will continue to catch him live every chance I get, but his heart seems to be elsewhere these days, maybe he left it back in the Portland rain. Alas.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: The first encore, he and that violin chic played "Story of an Artist" @

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Review 17 for M. Ward

4 / 5

Nice and loose

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Oh god, the beginning was fantastic. When they really started rocking out towards the end of the show, I got chills. @

Setlist: Can't remember them all but definitely started with Post War and played a good mix of old and new songs. @

Opening act(s): Yo La Tengo (didn't catch them) @

Posted 08/09/2012

by thepercentsign20dza

Location:Park Slope

Started the concert with Post War!!! That was top notch! The band was excellent although somewhat loose. At first I was a little bummed that there wasn't the tightness I was expecting having listened to the records, after they showed off some prowess; namely playing very fast together and each showing some adeptness at any number of instruments each of them played, it became a more stylistic choice issue. Really good sound helped them hit some great frequencies. M. Ward was fantastic on guitar and vocals. There was a girl who came on at the end to play along and she wasn't that great but the band made up for it by playing many encores.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Oh god, the beginning was fantastic. When they really started rocking out towards the end of the show, I got chills. @

Setlist: Can't remember them all but definitely started with Post War and played a good mix of old and new songs. @

Opening act(s): Yo La Tengo (didn't catch them) @

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Review 18 for M. Ward

5 / 5

A Sincere Voice

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Four Hours in Washington, Poison Cup, Chinese Translation, and his use of the whammy bar on his electric guitar during songs. Yup. @

Posted 08/09/2012

by iPoet

I will remember M. Ward and his 2012 Brooklyn concert all my life. The man is uniquely himself and his songs and voice are beautiful and genuine. I wanna play guitar as well as him someday. Soon.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Four Hours in Washington, Poison Cup, Chinese Translation, and his use of the whammy bar on his electric guitar during songs. Yup. @

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Review 19 for M. Ward

4 / 5

Good energy

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Four hours in Washington @

Posted 08/09/2012

by JahRastaMon

He came On stage pretty late, played a lot of singles. Not much of his newer songs, but he totally rocked out with one of his tracks 4 hours in Washington. Except from all of that he played too short, he kept on going off stage and comming back to play more cause no one had enough of him.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Four hours in Washington @

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Review 20 for M. Ward

1 / 5

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

Posted 08/09/2012

by MaggieOOO

Location:Brooklyn

It was outright cruel that the sound engineer refused to turn up the microphones for Yo La Tengo and no one could hear. I was close to the front and still the vocals sounded like little whispers. I then moved around to see if you could hear from anywhere and you could not. This was clearly deliberate so that they would not overshadow M Ward and band.
When M Ward took the stage the sound was huge. Too bad his songs are so pedestrian and boring. Overall I felt like I was ripped off and left angry.

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell @

- Brooklyn @

, NY @

- Tue, Aug 7, 2012 @

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