Pat McGee Band Brings Intimacy to Maxwell’s

In an age where social media gives music fans closer access to artists, Pat McGee Band continues to showcase its relevance. Throughout their nearly two-hour performance, frontman McGee dedicated a track to a fan who hasn’t seen them live in 10 years, all thanks to a Facebook message he received.

“See, I’m the guy on Facebook that responds to you,” he said.

Later in the night, McGee went on to explain a suspicious Facebook message he received asking for his home address that read, “I have something you lost that you might miss.” Four days later a stolen guitar was returned to him.

Additionally, McGee has taken to Facebook to talk to his fans on a daily basis and fill them in on his latest record, No Wrong Way to Make It Right. Friday night acted as a private release party for Pat McGee Band. Although the album isn’t “officially” out yet, McGee said he had some copies available for eager fans.

While concertgoers seemed pleased to hear the new material, it was the older classics that caused the most excitement. The band kicked off their set to screams and played energetic fan favorite “Rebecca.” With a fast-paced musical introduction, Pat McGee Band quickly captured audience attention.

“I’m very excited I brought the band this evening. We’ve done a lot of acoustic shows and I thought, ‘Why not?’”

In between playing his new material, McGee told many of the stories behind his songs, two of which were written specifically for his daughters, “Elizabeth” and “Juliet.” While the full band suited him well, it was on the tracks that featured McGee alone on vocals that stood out the most. Songs like “Elizabeth” and “How We Got Here,” a ballad he wrote with Jason Mraz, showcased this best. The introduction of each track featured McGee singing alone with light acoustic guitar.

The emotional “You and I” featured McGee’s powerful vocals and fitting musical accompaniment. A track he originally recorded with a symphony, the soaring guitar parts and keyboard features impressed. Mid-song he waved his hands in the air, motioning the room to raise their beer cups. Satisfied the crowd responded, he replied, “Thanks for letting me have that stadium rock moment right there.”

The remainder of the night featured songs spanning McGee’s entire catalogue. Throughout their set, the band alternated from a jam band vibe to more of an arena rock setting. Comparable to acts like Dave Matthews Band, it is easy to picture McGee on the big stage, but it was moments like their acoustic two-song encore on the floor of Maxwell’s that made them stand out.

After the band played for nearly two hours, screams of “one more song” led them to walk onto the crowded floor, instruments in hand and join fans on the bleachers. One of his favorite tracks recorded, McGee led Maxwell’s in a sing-along of “I Don’t Think I’m Listening.” Complete with acoustic guitar, accordion and tambourine, the song struck a chord.

Show closer, a cover of Don Henley’s “The End of the Innocence,” continued the sing-along with soulful opener Boots Factor on tambourine before McGee ended the set, promising fans he won’t be gone for too long. “I’ll see you again in the summer. Come buy a record and we’ll sign them.”