Alt-rock trailblazer Matthew Sweet is releasing an archival live record of one of his most fabled performances — a July 4, 1993 show at Chicago’s Grant Park. Live at Grant Park Chicago July 4, 1993 – available today on all streaming services. Originally recorded by Metro Mobile Recording for Chicago radio station WXRT, the blistering set includes hits and fan-favorites including “Girlfriend,” “I’ve Been Waiting,” “The Ugly Truth,” and a spirited cover of John Lennon’s “Crippled Inside.” Matthew is backed by Richard Lloyd (Television) on lead guitar, Will Rigby (the dB’s) on drums, and Tony Marsico (Cruzados, Bob Dylan) on bass and background vocals.
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The recordings were remixed from the original DAT source by engineer Brian Kehew, known for his work with The Who, The Pretenders, The Stooges, Crazy Horse, and The Replacements. Mastering took place at the new mastering lab opened by Gateway veterans and Bob Ludwig protege’s, Brian Lee and Bob Jackson at their new facility, Waygate. The live album captures Sweet live at the peak of the alternative rock takeover when he first achieved commercial success with a series of gold and platinum records that are held in the highest regard to this day beginning with Girlfriend in 1992, continuing with Altered Beast in 1993 and including 100% Fun in 1995.
The Chicago Tribune summed up the success of the 4th of July Grant Park festivities in 1993 with the legendary headline: “The pope, the Bulls and now Matthew Sweet”. More than 100,000 people gathered to create what the Tribune called a “beach blanket city” that spanned an extended city block, a “testament to Sweet’s drawing power”. The article praised Sweet’s band: Will Rigby for his “steady groove”, Tony Marsico for “fat bass lines and splendid harmonies that added richness and texture and Richard Lloyd who “spayed guitar shrapnel into this orderly pop universe.”
Sweet is back on tour after nearly four years, with sold-0ut Midwest and East Coast dates.
TH 04 Apr Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
FR 05 Apr Chicago, IL – Metro
SA 06 Apr Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre
SU 07 Apr Three Oaks, MI – The Acorn
WE 10 Apr Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag
TH 11 Apr Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery Pittsburgh
FR 12 Apr Buffalo, NY – Electric City
SA 13 Apr Toronto, ON – TD Music Hall
MO 15 Apr Boston, MA – The Wilbur Theatre
TU 16 Apr Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
TH 18 Apr New York, NY – City Winery Pier 57
FR 19 Apr Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Hall
SA 20 Apr Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
TU 23 Apr Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
WE 24 Apr Plainfield, IN – Hendricks Live!