The Quad

Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Entertainment

Matt White, named one of Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch" in April 2006, performed for WCU students on Thursday, Feb. 28. The concert was part of "SAC Emerging Artists" and brought in approximately 150 students for the performance. This was definitely a concert that was not to be missed.

The performance started at 8 p.m. and began with an opening band called the Rustlanders. The band, from State College, PA, is made up of four guys and played more of an Americana and folk country style.

Even though the band looked out of place in their cowboy costumes, the band was still enjoyed and well received by the audience.

After the Rustlanders performance of a little less of an hour. White and his bandmates, Mike, Marcus and Lee, entered the ballrooms and the electricity generated from the crowd could be felt by everyone. As the band started to play, it was a nice contrast to the Rustlanders. Though the Rusterlanders were more alternative country, Matt White is more a mellow pop.

The band played a variety of songs, from the emotion stirring "Miracles" to his number one song "Best Days." The sound and the quality of the band were surprisingly pleasant, considering the performance was in the ballrooms and not in Asplundh Concert Hall.

Matt had an enticing repertoire, including most of the songs on his CD, "Best Days," along with a few songs not offered on the album.

When listening to his songs, it was obvious to hear his inspirations, such as his past relationships and his experiences as a singer-songwriter. After a couple songs, White would stop and talk to the crowd, mostly about his experiences in college.

"[I miss] everything about college, the fact that kids are around non-stop and the atmosphere," explained White.

Matt White attended University of Michigan-Madison as a political science major.

"It was the easiest major," White said. "I didn't get into the music program because I couldn't sight read fast enough." Though it is clear that White did not need to have a music degree to be successful, his album "Best Days" has reached 34 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.

Though being a singer-songwriter has its perks, it can be frustrating. "[I miss] being home," he said.

However, White stated that he loves playing live and hanging out with the people that he meets when performing at different places.

Towards the end of the show, White played the acoustic song "Colorblind," a song not offered on his album. The song was well-liked by the crowd and once "Colorblind" ended, White then played a fantastic cover of "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Continued...

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