NATHANIEL RATELIFF / THE TESKEY BROTHERS – MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
By Ralph Beauchamp
Here’s to another memorable concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena. We just reviewed the Dropkick Murphys at the same venue. That show was blazing and the anticipation for this one was equally as high. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are a personal favorite. I’ve seen them a half dozen times in the past few years. Each performance has been a treasure. Tonight, Rateliff brought along Australian upstarts, The Teskey Brothers. Just to give you a brief preview, this show was through the roof with excitement and musicianship. Every note from both bands was worth savoring.
The Teskey Brothers opened the night and even though I was not familiar with them, a good portion of the audience was. Based out of Australia, The Teskey Brothers offer up a rich blend of retro blues and modern rock with a customized flair. Formed by brothers Josh (Vocals/Guitar) and Sam (Lead Guitar), their band exhibited rushes of true aural delights. Their combination of fresh sounds coupled with a strong blues influence was both impressive and inspiring. In addition, the excellent ensemble of bandmates the brothers had assembled was truly noteworthy.
They opened with the Freddie King cover, “I Love the Woman”, and immediately you were sensing that this night was going to be special. Josh’s vocals were impeccable while Sam’s guitar wailed with galvanic riffs. Right from the start, the band caught fire. “Pain and Misery” followed and Josh’s vocals were smooth and sexy reminiscent of Otis Redding. The audience was in awe of divine vibes that they were gladly receiving. Sam’s guitar let out masterful r&b accents. The song was a total smash.
The Teskey Brothers played a 10 song set that included many of their exalted hits. “So Caught Up” hit high marks as well as “Rain” which felt so heartfelt. Josh’s voice was profound with sublime intonations. “I Get Up” was another fan favorite. The Teskey Brothers closed out strongly. “What Wil Be” from their 2023 album The Winding Way was a smash. Final song, “Hold Me” destroyed the full house. Everyone was on their feet careening to the melodic groove.
Throughout their performance, The Teskey Brothers easily captured the house’s attention. Josh was a true showman. He even pulled a James Brown by falling to his knees while belting out a tune. All that was missing was the cape and staggered walk to the wing of the stage. Sam’s guitar was effervescent the entire night. From his dynamic riffs to his impeccable solos, he delivered singular beauty. This is a band vey much worth watching.
When Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats hit the podium, the venue erupted. Rateliff has been constantly growing in stature and this sold out show proved he has arrived. The band brings an incredible gritty and soulful sound that transcends the norm. Rateliff‘s voice is full of emotive spirit and the Night Sweats convey a brazen sonic avalanche. Rateliff‘s songs are punchy and bring an indefinable fervor. Also, The Night Sweats are a supersized force. The horn section which includes Jeff Dazey and Andy Wild is unbelievably solid. Mark Shusterman on keys adds rich tones while Patrick Meese’s drums drop killer inflections.
Their twenty song set opened with “David and Goliath” from their 2024 album, South of Here. The audience was immediately on their feet. Rateliff‘s monster hits “I’m on Your Side” and “Survivor” followed. Everyone in attendance was singing along with the band. It was a true testament to Rateliff‘s star quality. Rateliff commanded the stage with his usual unmitigated enthusiasm. His voice was raspy and powerful and hit every note with the utmost precision which resonated with the entire arena.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats set included tracks from quite a few of their full lengths. South of Here was well represented with “Time Makes Fools of Us All”, “Heartless”. “Get Used to the Night” and “Remember I was a Dancer”. Other fan favorites included “You Worry Me”, “I Need Never Get Old” and ” A Little Honey”. The audience grew more excited after each song. This was easily becoming a Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats divine street party. It was invigorating to see the audience truly enjoying every moment.
Rateliff left the best for last. “Hey Mama” led into “I’ll Be Damned” and a glowing rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” which had everyone dancing and singing as loudly as they could. The encore was just as fun with Rateliff‘s best known song “S.O.B.” bringing the house down. “Love Don’t” closed out the evening which from start to finish was a spectacular romp. Nobody left unsatisfied. This was a genuine moment of pure euphoria with sparks of musical rapture. I recommend you catch either band when you can.
To learn more about Nathaniel Rateliff, check out their Website
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Stream music: Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud
Purchase: Amazon Music
To learn more about The Teskey Brothers, check out their Website
Follow on: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Stream music: Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud
Purchase: Amazon Music
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I’ll check ’em out!