Cancert Recap: Adam Melchor
Words by Kelly Carrazzone
On a brisk night in Nashville’s early November, there stands a crowd buzzing with hushed chatter, anxiously awaiting their favorite artist to take the stage. Lit up by a simple orange backdrop under various Christmas lights, Adam Melchor’s presence is a breath of fresh air in the crowded room at Yee-haw Brewing Co. The audience instantly swells with adoration as the first chords of “Last Time” lift the crowd to its feet. It seems in a single moment, Melchor has us cradled in the palm of his hand.
Without a doubt, Adam Melchor is a must-see performer. Beyond his soulful, acoustic ballads, this fellow New Jerseyan brings an entirely new perspective to our beloved Melchor tunes with a live show that leave us in the happiest of tears. Surrender to the music folks, Adam Melchor is not one you can miss in the coming months, and his show in Nashville gave us just a taste of what’s to come.
There is a notable effortlessness in the way Adam Melchor navigates his live set. As soon as he steps onstage, Nashville greets him with giddy cheers and wide smiles. It sounds silly to describe a human as being human, but I am not quite sure how else to paint the very real image of Melchor’s striking authenticity. It seems like the natural walls between the artist and his fans cease to exist the moment Adam’s music takes over the room.
If you walk into an Adam Melchor show, be sure to leave your expectations at the door. This singer/songwriter goes so far beyond a typical indie-folk show, it’s almost unbelievable. With swelling bridges and crashing crescendos, Melchor fan-favorites like “I Choose You”, “Start Forgetting Death”, and “What a Damn Shame” absolutely bring the house down. The band may consist of a few guitars and some drums, but if you take a moment to close your eyes, this music feels and sounds so much bigger.
It’s not often we see a band having just as much fun onstage as the dancing audience below. Adam, alongside Matt Olsson and Mano Ruiz, are truly the trio to beat. Their musical bond is only a scratch below their endearing affinity for one another. The band counters the brisk Nashville weather with warm acoustic melodies and a familiar feeling of bittersweet nostalgia that is impossible not to fall head over heels for.
There is something so beautiful about the inevitability of an artist who is bound to takeover the world with his art. Adam Melchor is not someone you hear once and move on with your day. These songs will stick with you long after the guitar chords have faded. Pulling inspiration from the intricacies of everyday life, Melchor blends expert lyricality with strumming melodies to create indie-folk bliss.
Adam Melchor’s latest release “Hold On For Dear Life” is a climbing, feel-good anthem that clings to the dizzying rush of new, intimidating experiences. Featuring incredible Knoxville-native Briston Maroney, the pair actually performed their new single for the lucky Nashville crowd in-person. Grinning ear-to-ear, the pair leant on fans’ tremendous cheers as they laughed and shouted their way through the happy-go-lucky track. “Hold On For Dear Life” is a glimmering addition to both artists’ impressive discography and the perfect start to turning a new leaf for the new season.
Luckily for Adam Melchor fans, this artist is not slowing down anytime soon. With a few more shows sprinkled throughout December, Melchor is gearing up to join Chelsea Cutler on her 2022 “When I Close My Eyes” tour that will kick off in Austin, TX this March. Haven’t grabbed your tickets yet? Do not fear! You can visit Melchor’s website HERE to secure the best concert experience you will have all year.
Be sure to stream Adam Melchor’s latest single “Hold On For Dear Life” on Spotify and Apple Music. You can follow his Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and TikTok for all the latest music and live show updates.