MC Taylor and Taylor Goldsmith at the Cabot

On March 12, 2025, MC Taylor and Taylor Goldsmith performed at the Cabot Theater in Beverly, Massachusetts. The sold-out show was attended by many hundreds of fans who came to see the two artists during their duo tour.  

Longtime friends and collaborators, Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes) and MC Taylor (of Hiss Golden Messenger), were exceptional on stage. Two guys, two guitars and two extensive catalogues. They dig deep, they speak truth, and the audience was very receptive to their messages.

Personally, I was very excited when this show was announced. I absolutely love acoustic shows, and these exceptional singers/songwriters have given an incredible concert, and they did not disappoint their fans.

Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger, this acoustic duo performed many of their own songs and a few covers to an enthusiastic audience. Their harmonies were perfect, and the melody from the music fed off with each other. The format involved performing together initially and followed by short separate solo short sets and then finally acting together for the last few songs.

MC Taylor presented a mix of familiar tunes and new materials, hinting at an upcoming Hiss Golden Messenger record. He woke up the audience when he played “Jenny of The Roses”, and he filled the place with joy when he performed “Highland Grace”.  People were dancing, singing, applauding… The rhythm of the song has created a hypnotic backdrop for his introspective lyrics.

As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Goldsmith is the epitome of the modern troubadour, and the room sat silently in awe as he played a handful of originals, including a poignant new song as an imaged conversation with his future teenage son. The front row of the venue had seven members of the Dawes fan club, who had been going from show to show with the Taylors. They told me before the performance that this was going to be an amazing night, and it was!

Setlist 

1-     Gulfport You’ve Been on My Ming (Hiss Golden Messenger Cover)

2-     Million Dollar Bill (Dawes song) with (Hiss Golden Messenger)

3-     My Wing (Hiss Golden Messenger)

4-     Quitter (Dawes song)

5-     Painting Houses (Hiss Golden Messenger)

6-     House Parties (Dawes song)

7-     Biloxi (Hiss Golden Messenger cover)

8-     I Need a Teacher (Hiss Golden Messenger cover)

9-     All Your Favorite Bands (Dawes)

10-  Rockin’ In the Free World (Neil Young)