M. Ward

Royale is a smaller venue with a lot of charm. Never had to wait in a long line for the bathroom or bar which is always a bonus. There's a coat check ($3) which is a nice feature for the cooler months. There are couches and tables on the sides of the venue as well as an upstairs with seating and balcony area. The crowd for M Ward was fun and respectful - no pushing, minimal talking between and during songs etc. Much better overall experience versus The House of Blues (or the House of Rules as we like to call it) We would definitely see another show at The Royale. M Ward put on an amazing show full of energy and gratitude for his fans. Such a true performer with a one-of-a-kind voice.

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!

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

Absolutely phenomenal concert. I have been to many concerts, including many folk ones that are similar to M Ward. They all typically get too hippy-ish and jam out way too long (almost like they forgot we were even in the audience and were just testing their instruments). M Ward NEVER did that; everything was flawless and never boring. He and his band kept this amazing energy that sent you on a Roller Coaster (pun intended for any huge M Ward fans out there) of rock, folk, and beautiful slow songs. "Crawl After You" became my new favorite song after he sat at the piano to play. His only down fall may have been not enough audience interaction. He said how he liked playing in Portland, asked us how we were, etc, but maybe could have used a little more (this is a very minor complaint). This is definitely one of my favorite concerts I have ever seen.

Having been a fan from the his first release till now, "A Wasteland Companion" ranks as one of his best - so glad to have been able to have seen him at Webster Hall. Terrific performance and a great crowd, too!

He music is always perfect - never met an M.Ward song I didn't like. The show was definitely a mix of of the more rocking and upbeat songs. So great to finally see him live! Took a friend who did not know him before and is now a fan too!

M Ward was a great show! He played all the songs my wife and I wanted to hear.

M Ward played the Buckhead Theatre formally The Roxy. The venue is amazing since it renovation and the sound in there is stellar. This could not be a more perfect venue for an artist like M Ward. Setlist was excellent and he played flawlessly. Thanks for showing Atlanta a good time and come back real soon!

This was my first time at the Buckhead theater and I was immediately impressed. The decor is beautiful and reminiscent of an old movie theater. I was also most impressed by the view in the theater. The floor inclined so you had a good view of the performers from pretty much any angle. My boyfriend and I stood in the back and had a perfect view. On top of an awesome venue, M Ward put on a stellar show. The band was amazing including the steel guitarist. In the background of the show were false "windows" that had scenery projected onto it that was constantly changing. So at one point the windows showed a starry night sky and then a few minutes later there were trees with birds. A neat little extra that was not lost on me. Amazing venue and talent. Can't wait to go back.

Loved what I heard. The band was great and he sounded great, too. It rocked more than the more folky albums. Kind of rockabilly which sounded cool. But, and this is important, he only played for an hour. I was just getting warmed up. I felt shorted.

Good venue. Good show. Relaxed environment and crowd. All my favorites were performed, good mix of old and new.

First of all, let me tell you that the opening act Jonathan Richman has been a favorite of mine for 25 years and he was upbeat and had Tommy Larkins on drums and they were phenomonal and I am sure they got quite a few fans that night. M. Ward was an instant hit with me the first time I heard him. I did get to see him with Monsters of Folk and that was great but this show was one of the best shows of my life and I have seen a lot of shows. Anytime M. Ward sings, it is a thing of beauty but the musicians he brought with him have serious chops and completely nailed it. These guys were all multi instrumentalists and playing slide guitar, bass, rythm guitar, whistling, trumpet, keyboards.... you have got to see this band as it stands now. You will be happy.

Both M. Ward and the Fox Theater were unforgettable!!

M. Ward is not to be missed! His voice is magic, his lyrics beautiful, and his guitar skills unbelievable. Grab every opportunity to see this man live, you won't be disappointed! (The Fox Theater is a stunningly over-the-top venue and the acoustics are perfect!)

man can that boy play geetar!!! I had no idea, extra long fingers, amazing sounds pulled outta that thing. one of the best shows i've ever seen. sang his heart out, pretty much broke mine. i love you matt.

Awesome performance, awesome venue. Set could have been a little longer. Sound was also a little washed out due to the mixing of the venue. Overall the show was really great

M. Ward: 5 stars Venue: 2 stars Average: 3.5 stars. M. Ward seemed to be in great form, but the Fox Theater just has to figure out how to get its act together! He opened with Chinese Translation (obviously a crowd favorite), but the sound quality was so bad that you could hardly understand the lyrics. It took me about a minute to realize what he was playing . . . and it was Chinese Translation, not a B-side from an old album. Things got a little better as the evening went on. Some really great covers in the set list, along with a reasonable mix of new and older material. Not really a lot of banter with the crowd, but you go to a concert for the music mostly, I guess. Disappointed there weren't any show posters (at all, not just sold out).

Great show, great venue, great night. Highly recommened.

It was my first visit to the Fox theatre in Oakland and I was excited to see one of my favorite artists, M. Ward. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the most forgettable shows I have seen in years. I feel like M. Ward never stood out and blended in with his band members. The sound at the Fox was terrible, as I had heard it would be from friends having seen artists there earlier in the year. It did get a little better when M. Ward took the stage by himself in the middle of the how, as he really got to display his talents.

The venue, The Fox Theater in Oakland, was the first amazing thing I noticed while attending this show. The gold walls, hanging tapestries and sculptures of giants gave the feeling of being in a king's palace. As the show began, M. Ward owned the stage. He played soft songs and the lights dimmed. He played fast songs with a full band with dazzling light shows. He played a harmonica, a piano, and a guitar with passion that captured the viewer. Though I have seen many concerts, I have never truly felt a concert. My favorite songs brought tears to my eyes and songs I had not liked before became my favorites after seeing them at this show. I am thankful to have been able to attend such an amazing event.

I had a great time--M. Ward and fellow musicians rocked out like I thought they would, only even more so.

arched eyebrow magic. too much vocal delay. nice acoustic set, could have used more solo. dude looks demonic, sings angelically. lose the slap delay though next time.

First time to the Fox Theater in Oakland, and it was great. Its was very big and the sound matched perfectly. I love M. Ward's music. His ragtime style sounds amazing. All around great stuff.

First, is he "M Ward" or is the band M Ward? I'm confused. I found "M" an engaging and warm lead man. I'm a big fan of Post-War, though do think that the album's a little uneven and thought he/they were better live than I'd expected. I LOVE the Fox theatre and am heading back for Sonic Youth in August.

Just amazing. Can t believe there weren t more people there. It s like no one knows of this amazing talented fellow. He s going to be big some day

He gave us his heart and soul!! Great show! Great voice!

M.Ward puts on one heck of a rockin show! Wouldn't miss him for anything!

Great musicians. Wonderful show as always. M. Ward is simply brilliant. Please come back again.

I've previously seen m ward at the state theater which was not the best acoustics for his sound, seeing him at port city was absolutely perfect and since the place is never over sold I was able to move fairly freely and get close to the stage without being stressed about it. highly recommend matt and the venue.

I've seen Matt Ward three times now. This was, by far, his most focused and impressive concert. He spent very little time talking, but instead, wowed the crowd with his guitar, vocal, and piano prowess. My first time into Port City Music Hall, and I have to say, I was very impressed. Loved the drink prices, and the overall vibe in that room is relaxed but energetic. My only gripe would be the opening act. She was terrible.

M.ward was freaking amazing and heartwarming. His music already is very sentimental and pleasant, it was even more so in person. I would recommend this concert to anyone and everyone.

such a great night. concert hall sounds amazing and is very intimate. M.Ward was outstanding.

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.

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"

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

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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...

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.

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!!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

He played all of the hits, but also didn't hesitate to try new things with his songs i.e. new guitar solos, harder bass, etc. It was an incredible concert that anyone with an interest in country, rock, alternative rock, or easy listening guitar-based songs will enjoy!

Celebrate Brooklyn! has several benefit concerts every season and one of them was M Ward, an artist who I really enjoy seeing live. When the subway came above ground in Brooklyn my view was a huge orange sun directly behind the Statue of Liberty. I know there are many beautiful natural sights in this country but the Lady in the Harbor always takes my breath away. Walking into Prospect Park I could see an ambulance leaving with its lights blazing and sirens blaring. Scheduled to open were Wyatt Cenac and Yo La Tengo. I had some work that had to be taken care of in the office so by the time I met up with rtb and violaleeblue, I had missed Cenac and Yo La Tengo was on stage. rtb told me that bassist James McNew was not on stage because he d had an attack of appendicitis. I was hoping that wasn t him in the ambulance I just saw leave. It took me a while to settle into listening to music mode so Georgia Hubley (drums), Ira Kaplan (guitar) with Dave Schramm (guitar) and David Mansfield (violin) filling in for McNew played background music for me while I surfed the internet. I like this band and enjoyed them when I d seen them live before and I hope to see them live again. M Ward will forever remind me of a little Bob Dylan. The little refers to stature and his voice. Not enough of either to make me see or hear Dylan but enough to remind me of Dylan. The stage set included windows on the back wall where the outdoor scene kept changing blue sky, sunset, starry night sky, trees, plants, city skyline. I think he had a similar set up when we saw him at the Apollo. Ward is a great guitarist he throws his entire body into it. He is also excellent at the keyboards. One of my favorite things is what he does to covers. Rave On was faster and harder than Ward s original cover version. Roll Over Beethoven woke up Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and a boatload of dead longhairs. John Fahey s Bean Vine Blues #2 was bluesy and fuzzy and respectful and loose. Ward deconstructed I Get Ideas so much that it was unrecognizable as a tango. For the first encore, Jolie Holland (The Be Good Tanyas) played violin for Ward on Daniel Johnston s Story of an Artist. Ward s own Chinese Translation is always a highlight and you can now add Primitive Girl to that list. After a very short set, Ward played two songs for the first encore and then two songs for the second encore. It was really much too short a set for such a great band. I didn t catch the names of the bassist (who did this great fuzzy bass solo), guitarist/pedal steel, drummer, or keyboardist/horn player.