RUSTON KELLY 2023 TOUR STOP IN SAN DIEGO
I've been a fan of Ruston Kelly and his music since 2016 when I saw him for the first time at a 'song swap' at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida's South Walton Beach. He showed up late, flustered and then had issues getting his old, beat-up guitar in tune. He ended up borrowing fellow troubadour Eliot Bronson's guitar for his songs. I was smitten. I caught him for the second time, three years later at Nashville's AMERICANAFEST. Since both were short sets, I was anxiously awaiting his full-length performance at the Belly Up on May 12th. Needless to say, HE BROUGHT IT!
I was lucky enough to acquire VIP status with an early entrance to the soundcheck and Q&A with my daughter, her friend and 25+ people. The endearing funny troubadour I fell for all those years ago was even more disarming. Kelly seemed genuinely happy to engage with his fans.
Prior to the show, I found out that my daughter's friend Hannah actually attended middle school with "Rusty" in Wyoming, Ohio - a small township outside of Cincinnati. As we stood in front of the stage for the Q&A Ruston began answering someone's question, he turned our way and recognized Hannah, that made our night. As per my request he played a stripped-down version of Asshole, Ruston's autobiographical and self-deprecating story of a past arrest and its aftermath. Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners from Bozeman, Montana opened the show and these young guys couldn't stop smiling the entire set. According to Mitch Cutts, this was only their 7th live show following a handful of supporting spots on Noah Kahan's tour. It was obvious how thrilled the band was to be on stage at the Belly Up. The large crowd was supportive and knew many of their songs and sang along.
When Ruston and the band finally took the stage following the opening act, they kicked things off with St. Jupiter from their latest release 'The Weakness'. He followed it up with a few songs from 2018's critically acclaimed 'Dying Star', and then began to cover the gamut alternating between songs off those two records as well as 'Shape & Destroy, and 'Dirt Emo'. Ruston was taking us on a journey of his current station in life, post-divorce and finding himself and happiness once again.
A few of the standouts included Michael Keaton (that ponders what if Michael Keaton killed himself in Multiplicity? Would that be genocide?) and Mockingbird had the room singing along. In addition, was the heartfelt Mending Song that was written in Joshua Tree on a Ukulele as a way to heal his heartbreak. Kelly revived Wheatus' 2000 anthem Teenage Dirtbag taking us back to our high school days with the outcasts and jocks. He also covered Taylor's Swifts All Too Well, adding a raw emotion to the verses with a touch of rock n' roll to the melody. He encouraged the crowd to singalong to these, as well as his originals. We were all pleased to do so. Throughout the show Ruston vibed with the crowd and made a point of acknowledging those is the "Cheap Seats", the balcony and each side of the stage that are often overlooked.
Ruston's dad, TK (who toured with the band the last time out) sat in to play pedal steel and was met with a warm and raucous greeting. Several of Ruston's songs mention words of advice that he received from TK over the years. When the lines were sung the crowd went wild. It was an incredible treat to see Ruston in his element and the witness the family affair.
The full-length was worth the wait. Great night! Great music!
{Curated by Regan Rath}
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https://www.rustonkelly.com/tour
https://www.instagram.com/rustonkelly/
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