In these standard shoes and what's left of my lines.....you can see right through me

Matthew Good played one final show last night in Vancouver before embarking on his journey of travels throughout the world. This performance was quite special as it took place in Matt's apartment living room and on the last night he would be residing from there. It was just him and his guitar. No mics, no amps.



Matt mentioned there were around 280 people that emailed him about attending this unique occasion. In attendance were some of us from the Lower Mainland, a girl from Victoria, a girl from Ontario, a guy from Texas, a girl that flew in specially from Edmonton, and also a girl that flew in specially from Maryland.....all to be a part of this one time evening. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this.





The total count in the room came to 25 people plus two dogs. MG's dogs are absolutely adorable. Benji is pretty much in charge and Casey has this relentless energy. They also contributed to the night's performances with Benji lending his vocals during songs while Casey chewed on the squeak toy.



The performance began at 8:15pm with Tripoli. The atmosphere was very relaxed and interactive throughout the night with Matt conversating back and forth with us and cracking jokes with Merle. It felt like just a gathering between old friends.




Up next came Metal Airplanes, a song that debuted during the July-August shows this year.




I was sitting beside Matt writing down the setlist as he performed, so he would often turn to me and ask "Alright, what's next". I did my best to request some songs that are rarely played live and/or would sound good in an acoustic setting.

Matt mentioned that he hasn't picked up his guitar since his last show in Victoria on August 1. With that said, combined with the fact that he stated some songs don't sound as complete with just an acoustic guitar, there were a few songs that weren't played. Sorry, no Born To Kill, Suburbia, Blues Skies Over Badlands, The Rat Who Would Be King, or Truffle Pigs.

We were however treated with great showings of Avalanche, Prime Time Deliverance, Sort Of A Protest Song, and House Of Smoke And Mirrors. It was fun hearing Casey chew on that squeak toy while Matt strummed the notes to Prime Time Deliverance, or when Benji sang along with Matt during the end of HOSAM.



MG also took the time to prank call his brother Chris, and A&R guy Dave Porter. In addition, he received calls during the show from his parents and from Merle prank calling him from across the room.



We were treated to a demonstration of Matt's new MacBook Pro which he had just bought for his trip. That thing sure is fast.




Matt also shared with us stories about life, MGB, the music industry, the city of Vancouver, and noted that the steak from Olympia on Denman Street is delicious. In addition, he mentioned that there will be another album made sometime in the future.




The evening finished around 11:35pm

Setlist:

Tripoli
Metal Airplanes
Strange Days
Avalanche
Prime Time Deliverance
Sort Of A Protest Song
She's In It For The Money
Alert Status Red
Fated
House Of Smoke And Mirrors
In A World Called Catastrophe




THANK YOU so much to Matt for letting us be a part of this tremendous night and all the best to you in your travels. Remember, stay away from those Bounce sheets!



This was MG Show #24 for me and by far the most important one I've attended. If it somehow becomes the last time I ever see Matt perform live, then I'll have left with closure on one man's magnificent music career.....knowing that he has an even brighter future ahead traveling the world to face new challenges in this thing we call life.

These are the shows that I've been fortunate enough to be a part of with Matt and company throughout the years:
1) July 11, 1998 Thunderbird Stadium Edgefest 98
2) July 14, 1999 Thunderbird Stadium Edgefest 99
3) Jan 2, 2001 Commodore Ballroom
4) Jan 3, 2001 Commodore Ballroom
5) July 28, 2001 False Creek SnowJam
6) May 10, 2002 Commodore Ballroom New Music West
7) May 11, 2002 Vogue Theatre New Music West
8) Apr 17, 2003 Commodore Ballroom
9) Apr 18, 2003 Commodore Ballroom
10) Apr 19, 2003 Vogue Theatre
11) Apr 25, 2003 Commodore Ballroom
12) Apr 26, 2003 Commodore Ballroom
13) Aug 2, 2003 Plaza Of Nations Celebrate BC
14) July 1, 2004 Richard's on Richards CFOX Canada Day Show
15) Aug 06, 2004 Commodore Ballroom
16) Oct 10, 2004 Vogue Theatre
17) Apr 8, 2005 Thunderbird Stadium Arts County Fair
18) Sep 13, 2005 Armoury Studios CFOX Uninvited Guest
19) Nov 4, 2005 Commodore Ballroom
20) Nov 5, 2005 Commodore Ballroom
21) Apr 20, 2006 Vancouver East Cultural Centre
22) Apr 20, 2006 Vancouver East Cultural Centre
23) Apr 20, 2006 Vancouver East Cultural Centre
24) Aug 25, 2006 MG's Living Room

I was there for his first Edgefest, last MGB show, first MG show with Christian-Pat-Mark, five crazy Avalanche Tour shows in a row, private Canada Day show, private CFOX Armoury Studios show, last show with Christian-Rich-Pat, three solo acoustic shows in Vancouver, and his last performance for now.....And I wouldn't have missed any of them for the world!