Five Trademarks of a Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Show

Nathaniel Rateliff has been no stranger to the Twin Cities, starting years ago at the Turf Club, then headlining at Rock the Garden and selling out multiple Surly Field concerts. His soulful voice and warm tone hearken the nostalgic sounds of Otis Redding or Wilson Pickett, and his band the Night Sweats exemplify the traditional Southern mix of country and soul.

Their newest album South of Here is described by AllMusic as a “panoply of ’70s-touched roots rock, delivered with warmth, sincerity, and occasional bursts of grit. Even amid its themes of anxiety and overcoming trauma, South of Here manages to stay buoyant, and at times playful.” Fans looking for the retreaded uproar of songs like “S.O.B.” might find the Americana realms on their 4th album to be too mellow. Going into their first arena show here, I was definitely concerned how they would straddle that line and keep it a high-energy performance.

Here are five trademarks you can look for in a show by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.

Quality Friends

Rateliff doesn’t shy away from bringing in high quality openers and artists. The acclaimed Hiss Golden Messenger and the red hot Thee Sacred Souls opened their 2019 and 2023 Surly Field shows, respectively. This tour is no different, with Colorado favorite Gregory Alan Isakov opening last night. The soothing folk and dynamics of Isakov paid dividends by keeping the arena simmering.

After showcasing his more popular songs like “Amsterdam,” “This Northern Hemisphere,” and “The Fall,” his return to the stage with Rateliff later in the evening was the cherry on the sundae. Performing an unreleased co-written song called “Flowers,” the two songwriters stunned the arena with the perfect meld of harmonies and acoustic guitars that left people searching online for the tune.

It’s Going to Get Sweaty

When a band is called the Night Sweats, it’s not surprising to see plenty of perspiration. But it was quite a statement to start the set with 6 of their higher energy songs: “David and Goliath,” “I’m on Your Side,” “Survivor,” “Look it Here,” “Intro,” and “I Need Never Get Old.” The deep opening of Rateliff’s shirt and trademark stage struts quashed any concerns about low vigor.

Bookending the evening with a spot-on cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” added even more machismo to the 24 song set. And the encore exploded with “S.O.B.” and the growling climax of “Love Don’t.” Nobody left last night’s show without a little dampness under their shirts.

Lots of Soul

This is obvious when you see the three piece horn section and organ gracing the stage, but the influence of 60’s Memphis soul bleeds through Rateliff’s collection of songs. Halfway through the set, that horn trio joined him at the front of the stage for “Slow Pace of Time.” Newer songs “Remember I Was a Dancer” and “South of Here” were other smooth reminders of how horns inject heart into his stories.

Mojo

Surprisingly missing his trademark fedora with upturned brim, Rateliff still swaggers with a lot of mojo. Typically wearing a suit and dress shoes, his onstage professionalism into the audience. Fans also dress up, wearing cowboy boots, hats, and long flowing dresses, making it clear that a Night Sweats show includes bonding over that look.

His mojo amplifies the authenticity fans feel through his music. They relate to his songs, many which make people feel like things will work out. Performing “And It’s Still Alright” with just an acoustic guitar and keys provided a chance to catch your breath and revel in the heartfelt moment.

Tight and Strong

Continually praised as a very tight band, last night’s performance at the Xcel Energy Center also revealed the high ceiling for this music. They easily filled the stadium with a punch of sound that demonstrated the talent of all 8 band members. Lots of camera angles and effects created big moments that filled the rafters. During “Face Down In A Moment,” the lights aimed into the crowd and made the space feel smaller for a brief singalong.

The group never lost a step over the long evening. Pulling songs from all of their albums didn’t feel juxtaposed, but more like a journey through the evolution of their sound. That tightness as a group can be felt and heard at any of their shows, making this a true trademark.

So pack a towel, wear some boots, and buckle up if you’re planning on catching Nathaniel Rateliff anytime in the future. He consistently brings a quality barrage of songs that will lift you up and make you see a little bit deeper into your own soul.