Matt Maeson’s Thats My Cue Solo Tour Sells Out 9:30 Club

An Intimate Tour With Powerful Songs and Personal Stories

Date: May 31st, 2023

Venue: 9:30 Club

Washington, DC

When an artist sells out a venue, it’s a wonderful and beautiful thing. There’s something even more special though when the show sells out shortly after it goes on sale. Sprinkle in the fact that it’s one of the nation’s most iconic venues, the 9:30 Club, and you’ve got quite the moment. To make it even more memorable, the tour features the artist, and only the artist. That’s exactly what transpired when Matt Maeson announced his Thats My Cue Tour 2023 (A Solo Experience). 

It’s a tour that in some ways celebrates his latest album Never Had to Leave but it also brings him back to his roots and what he loves most as he’s able to share songs new and old in a format that focuses less on production and more on the art of songwriting and connection with fans. 

On the final night of May, people flocked to the 9:30 Club, a venue now kicking off their 44th year. The line of fans was around the block waiting to get in and witness the talents of Maeson. Inside, the stage was set. A barstool with a cup of beer, water, and a shot sat next to the microphone accompanied by a keyboard and two guitars. When you do a tour that’s intended as a “solo experience” you don’t need a large production because the music and the songwriting fill the venue. That’s exactly what this tour is about, singing songs and telling the stories behind them.

Stories such as the one when Maeson was 19 years old and a couple 4lokos convinced him and some friends that breaking into a school for some chocolate milk would be a good idea. Following that, a few things occurred that led him to move back to Virginia, and experienced some moments that resulted in the song “Cliffy.”  But that was just one of many stories he shared with us. The story that led to him writing “Hallucinogenics” is one so wild (as you can probably imagine based on the title) that you have to hear it for yourself. 

Maeson has a strength to his vocals that allow his songwriting to cut deep and feel even more powerful in a room live. His songs stem from dark places, experiences, and moments in life which means every single note is sung with emotion and rawness. Take that and pulsate it through a room of people who relate and know every word, and in DC’s case can actually harmonize and you’ve got a hell of an experience. 

As Maeson closes his set he performs one of his favorite songs and describes it as a result of a moment he had in which he felt like he was wrapped in a “spiritual blanket” and while “Beggar’s Song” is the written connection to that moment, I think that “spiritual blanket” is also a beautiful way to describe this show. 

Along with Maeson on this tour are a few different artists that open the show. On the evening of DC’s show, we had the pleasure of hearing from the talented Brennan Smiley which was also his last show on the tour. Originally from Phoenix, AZ this was Smiley’s second time playing at 9:30 Club but on this tour, he’s been trying out some new music that you’ll be able to hear soon with songs such as “Borderlines.”

If you have the space and can make it to a show, we highly suggest checking out the tour schedule and grabbing your tickets now.  

See the full gallery of the night here!

If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.