One year to the date from the epic show at Stubb’s BBQ, Matisyahu rocked the house at Josabi’s, just north of San Antonio, TX, in a little town called Helotes (spanish for corn). I didn’t think I’d be able to go. My wife is pregnant, and the Texas heat wave we’re experiencing right now had us regularly at 103(F) even at 8pm. Well, we weren’t about to miss Matisyahu (and we at least wanted to score our T-Shirts), so we decided to put in an appearance, and leave as soon as it got too warm.
I’m really glad we decided to do that, because Josabi’s has the biggest ceiling fan I’ve ever seen (better than 15ft in diameter) and we just camped out under that thing until it cooled off a little bit (basically the whole Trevor Hall set). We’d gotten word earlier in the day that his tour bus had broken down in Louisiana. That meant no merch table, and he ended up having to fly in, but he made it, and that’s what counts.
There were a couple of new renditions of old favorites. I’d never heard Smash Lies or Struggla live, and they were both wicked with the Dub Trio’s signature dark twist to his normally upbeat songs. He also did Sunshine (which is our current favorite since the Chanukah season) and a song we’d never heard called Obstacles.
Two favorite moments: 1 - seeing a bunch of drunken gentiles dancing joyfully to very Jewish prayers. It was ironic, but also cathartic. Forty years ago, we still dealt with rampant antisemitism. Now, Christian frat-boys whirl like dervishes to the Sh’ma. 2 - got no water. It was just too hilarious, especially considering the drought we are currently in. Matisyahu cracked several jokes about the heat, and it just fit so perfectly.
It seemed obvious he was tired from such a long tour, and the heat wasn’t helping, but somehow, he still manages to go out and make magic every night. It was a blessing to have him here, and I hope he manages to make it back soon.
Thanks for coming to our city, Matisyahu, and please come again (only like in the Spring or Fall next time, when it isn’t 100(F)).