It was the kind of show that only comes around once every couple of years and if you’re the casual type of fan not on a ‘first name’ basis with the band members involved, it could have easily slipped under your concert radar. It almost did mine.

Fortunately the targeted ads somehow read me like a book and suggested I check out The Taylor Goldsmith Show, live at The Egg in Albany on Tuesday, March 11.

A rare and intimate collaboration between acclaimed songwriters M.C. Taylor (of Hiss Golden Messenger) and Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes) taking the stage for a stripped-down acoustic performance together. Brothers in song known for their distinctive, evocative lyrics and deep roots in American folk and rock music, the duo’s performance proved to be a master class in storytelling, showcasing their unparalleled ability to weave personal and universal themes into music the every-man can relate to.

**Taylor Goldsmith and M.C. Taylor performing at The Egg on 3/11/25**.

The venue itself, The Egg, is a truly unique space. Its distinctive, curved architecture and acoustics provide an ideal backdrop for such an intimate setting. The sound quality was exceptional, allowing every note and every word to resonate clearly throughout the room.

The nature of The Egg made it feel as though the audience was part of the performance, suspended in a shared moment with the musicians. In an evening full of surprises, the first one came around 8pm with an unannounced opening set from Philadelphia based alt-country songwriter Johnny Fritz. Dressed in shinny gold boots and bearing a slight resemblance to watermelon-smashing comic legend Gallager, Fritz was hilarious from the start.

Birthday Boy **Johnny Fritz** opened the show at The Egg on Tuesday, 3/11/25.

Expertly weaving humor and deeply personal songwriting together, Fritz (formerly known as Johnny Corndog) had the intimate crowd roaring with spontaneous laughter on songs like “Are You Thirsty,” “Tea Man” and “Stone Cold Daddy-O.” Politely interrupted mid-set by a thoughtful fan, it was soon brought to the rooms attention that it happened to also be Fritz’s birthday. Surprising him with a small cake and an impromptu singing of “Happy Birthday To You” by the entire crowd, Johnny seemed genuinely moved by the gesture and relished every moment of the attention. Beaming bright with an infectious smile, “Stadium Inn” and “Trash Day” garnered huge chuckles and ovations from a very receptive crowd.

After a brief break in the action, it was finally time for the M.C. Taylor and Taylor Goldsmith Duo to take the stage. From the very first strum, it was clear that this set would be something special. The stripped-back, acoustic approach allowed Taylor and Goldsmith’s songwriting to shine in its purest form. The performance felt like an episode of Storytellers, where each song was introduced with personal anecdotes, reflections on life, and playful banter that contrasted with the often serious subject matter. The connection between the two musicians was palpable, not only in their seamless harmonies and shared guitar work but in their warm, engaging stage presence. It truly felt like a privilege to be in such close quarters with two songwriters of this caliber.

**Taylor Goldsmith performing in Albany on 3/11/25**.

Opening their performance as a duo, the two Taylors took turns playing on each other’s songs. Alternating between the combined catalogues of Dawes and Hiss Golden Messenger, an early highlight was the Goldsmith-led rarity “Million Dollar Bill,” which originally appeared on folk-rock supergroup Middle Brother’s (members of Dawes, Deer Tick, Delta Spirit) debut album.

While doing a bit of tuning between songs, M.C. would pause to reflect on the tune called “Painting Houses,” which he wrote alongside Gregory Alan Isakov right before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down life as we knew it. He remembered thinking, “We might have to come off the road for three weeks, but that might actually be nice!” But after three weeks, and another three weeks, and a few more after that, the desire to perform again was too much to ignore. Feeling grateful to be here now, in this moment, playing music for such a respectful and appreciative crowd, the duo expressed their gratitude for everyone who made it out on a Tuesday night.

Each song, though stripped down to its core, had the power to transport the listener to a different place, with every note hanging in the air as if you could hear a pin drop in the room. Rounding out the opening portion of the show, the two Taylor’s teamed up for a particularly potent rendition of the 2024 Dawes tune “House Parties,” which really seemed to resonate with the Albany faithful.

‘House parties and local bands
Good weed with some Joni fans
Old friends playing Mega Man
And a little Donkey Kong
I don’t wanna see Disneyland
Beer bellies and farmer tans
House parties and local bands
That’s where I belong’
Lyrics from “House Parties”

Now flying solo, the stage was all M.C. Taylor’s as he worked his way through acoustic arrangements of some of the most well-known Hiss Golden Messenger songs like “I Need a Teacher” and “Jenny of the Roses.” Addressing the crowd between numbers, M.C. would talk about time spent in nearby Schenectady many years ago. Reminiscing about the most wonderful Italian meal he’s ever had, he was curious if anyone remembered the name of that distinct restaurant by Union College and if it was still there. Without missing a beat, the local foodies in the crowd quickly confirmed that Ferrari’s Ristorante is still standing and still delicious. M.C. would later joke that he’d like to take us all there for a drink in the backroom sometime. It kind of became a running joke for the remainder of the evening.

**M.C. Taylor performing in Albany on 3/11/25**.

With whatever insecurities he may have had about performing new material, Taylor was now feeling relaxed enough to casually mention he’s been working on a new Hiss Golden Messenger album currently being recorded at a studio near Woodstock. He’d go on to treat the audience to a sneak peak of it with a new one called “Feeling Alright,” a song about the internal guilt of waking up feeling ‘good’ despite the world around us literally and figuratively burning. A sensitive topic, no doubt, considering Goldsmith’s Altadena home and recording studio were recently destroyed in the Los Angels wildfires.

At it’s conclusion, a girl in front would tell M.C. that it sounded beautiful and there’s nothing to fix. M.C. would respond to her directly by saying, “I have a problem where I start messing with stuff enough that I break it. That goes for almost everything.” For his final solo song, Taylor would enlist the help of the crowd on “Highland Grace,” urging them to sing along to the repeating chorus of “Oh, loving her was easy, the easiest thing in the world.”

Seamlessly trading off one Taylor for another, a returning Goldsmith would kick off his solo time in the spotlight with the Dawes song “Between the Zero and the One” and “The Game.” Opening up about what a joy this tour has been and how much fun it’s been playing and learning with his longtime friend, Goldsmith would talk about how their respective songs are drawing out the best in each others playing and adding new dimensions to each other’s work. He also made sure to sing the praises of opening act Johnny Fritz and how they are going to miss having him on tour because he’s such an entertaining and insightful guy. If it were up to them, they’d be just as happy spending the next couple of weeks hanging out backstage at The Egg and cracking jokes with each other. “Or at least until the staff got sick of us.”

Getting ‘the band’ back together again, M.C. Taylor would rejoin Goldsmith on stage for the remainder of the show. Together they would perform the Hiss Golden Messenger fan favorite “Sanctuary” and a song from Dawes’ 2022 album Misadventures of Doomscroller called “Comes a Wave.” Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening came during the duet on “All Your Favorite Bands,” a heart-wrenching performance that left many in the audience visibly moved. The harmony between Taylor and Goldsmith, combined with the song’s bittersweet lyrics, created a truly emotional experience, a reminder of the profound connections music can create. Watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.

‘I hope that life without a chaperone is what you thought it’d be
I hope your brother’s El Camino runs forever
I hope the world sees the same person that you always were to me
And may all your favorite bands stay together
And may all your favorite bands stay together’
-Dawes

As the night drew to a close, the duo had one more surprise up their sleeve. Choosing to cover Neil Young’s classic anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World” with a drastically different arrangement, it’s lyrics and message remained as relevant at ever. A spirited end to a life affirming, reflective evening. In many ways, this show exemplified the power of simplicity. With only their voices and acoustic guitars, Taylor and Goldsmith showcased the depth of their musical and lyrical talents, leaving the audience with the sense that they had witnessed something rare and beautiful.

The performance felt like a celebration of the songwriters’ ability to capture the most intimate of moments in their work, and in the stripped-down setting, every word and every note felt amplified in its significance. Raw, vulnerable, and deeply affecting. The evening was a rare opportunity to witness two of the most gifted songwriters of their generation, collaborating and performing in the most personal way. A masterful demonstration of what makes them so revered—genuine, heartfelt, and the ability to create a moment that will stay with you long after the final chord fades. With no bells and whistles to distract from the heart of the songs, Taylor and Goldsmith delivered an unforgettable night that showcased their exceptional talents to all who were fortunate enough to witness it.

M.C. Taylor Goldsmith Show | March 11, 2025 | The Egg | Albany, NY

Duo: Gulfport You’ve Been on My Mind*+, Million Dollar Bill**+, My Wing*+, Quitter**+, Painting Houses*+, House Parties**+.

M.C. Taylor Solo: I Need a Teacher*~, Jenny of the Roses*~, Feeling Alright*~, Middle of It*~, Highland Grace*~.

Taylor Goldsmith Solo: Between the Zero and the One**%, The Game, New Song**%, Time Flies Either Way**%.

Duo: Sanctuary*+, Comes A Wave**+, Heart Like a Levee*+, All Your Favorite Band**+, Rockin’ In the Free World***+.

* Hiss Golden Messenger original
** Dawes original (originally appears on Middle Brother’s self-titled album)
*** Neil Young cover
+ Performed as a duo