Live: Matt Andersen @ The Borderline

Canadian multi award-winning, R&B and blues singer-songwriter Matt Andersen was ruler of the evening at London’s Borderline, where he brought the UK part of his European tour to a close. With over 10 million views on YouTube, two European Blues Awards, and winning Best Solo Performer at the Memphis Blues Challenge,  Matt Andersen is taking the world by storm.

He has shared the stage and toured with Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Greg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Little Feat, Jonny Lang, Serena Ryder, and more. Andersen has won the 2013 and 2016 European Blues Award for Best Solo/Acoustic Act, three Maple Blues Awards in 2012, and International Blues Challenge 2010 in Memphis. Since the release of Weightless in early 2014, Andersen has received a JUNO nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, a CIMA Road Gold Award, and three consecutive Maple Blues Award for Male Vocalist of the Year.

This tour which will take him to Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm and many more cities helps promote his latest album Honest Man, produced by in New York by Commissioner Gordon who has also worked with Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse.

Matt Andersen is one of those artists who you really need to go and see live. His full warm voice and single acoustic guitar can fill the room with a power that some five piece bands struggle to deliver.

The force of his performance comes from within. There is no fake note in his play or in the man himself. He is an “Honest Man” not only by the title of his last album but mostly by showing us his naked emotions.

His raw, sweaty energy hits you with groovy tracks like Make You Stay but it is in the slow and quiet moments where Matt really reveals his talent.  “Black on my hands, black on my shoes, black on my heart, from these coal mining blues” – his performance of Coal Mining Blues deeply touched my soul and brought goosebumps all over my body.

It is no surprise that Andersen gets most of his fans in the old fashioned way: by touring worldwide and spreading the word by mouth. The acoustic guitar in his hands replaces any instrument you could possibly ask for. He is a wizard, a magician, a master. Add his warm deep voice and easy laid back style and you have a “tease” of what Matt is like on stage.

Mixing his own songs with popular standards sung by the whole audience like People Get Ready (The Impressions cover) or closing up encore stunning version of Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire, Matt takes the listeners on a musical journey. To the land of raw emotions and blues. Take him by the hand, grab his latest album and if you have a chance go and see him live.

Live Review & Photography by Edyta K.

Matt Andersen at the Borderline on 25th May 2017