Matt Quinn brought a jam-packed, friend-filled evening to the sold-out Union Transfer stage this past Friday night. The freezing and snowy evening did not stop fans from attending the one-night-only event at the popular Philadelphia venue. Not only were fans gathering for an evening of music, but they were also coming together for a meaningful cause, as one hundred percent of ticket profits went to World Central Kitchen to help people all over the world during the holiday season.
Adam Melchor took the stage to start the show. The twenty-eight-year-old New Jersey-born singer-songwriter stood in front of the microphone with just his guitar to accompany him, creating a feeling of closeness between himself and the audience. He performed a stripped-down set full of honest and meaningful songs packed with love and emotions. Melchor released his FRUITLAND EP a little over a year ago, featuring songs like “BIGTIMEGOODTIME” and “SEROTONIN.”
After a short break following Melchor’s set, Dan Baker–longtime Philadelphia sports announcer–approached the microphone to introduce Matt Quinn. Fans pulled out their phones, screamed, and applauded, as Quinn stepped onstage. Like Melchor, he held a guitar and sang a set that created the image of being with him in-studio, while hazy purple lights filled the stage. To begin his set, he sang track five off Mt. Joy’s 2020 release Rearrange Us. There was an immediate feeling of warmth in Union Transfer that flowed between the crowd and Quinn, as fans sang the lyrics to every song.
To introduce the “& Friends” portion of the Matt Quinn & Friends show, Melchor joined Quinn to perform a live debut of the unreleased and collaborative song “Room on Your Shoulder,” which is scheduled to be released in just a few weeks on January 10th. Following Melchor leaving the stage, Quinn invited WXPN’s July Artist To Watch, Philly singer-songwriter Julia Pratt, to join him. Pratt, who performed an incredible set at the XPoNential Music Festival this past September, sang a few duets with Quinn, including Pratt and Mt. Joy’s collaboration “A Little Love” which was released just last year. Quinn did not stop the duets there; he later brought out XPN favorite Amos Lee to perform his song “Sweet Pea,” and a cover of The Rolling Stones’ classic song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Later, Quinn was joined by Philadelphia-based The War on Drugs drummer, Charlie Hall, to sing The Philly Specials & Mt. Joy’s song “Santa Drives an Astrovan”.
To close the wonderful and warm holiday show, Quinn performed fan-favorite Mt. Joy song “Silver Lining.” Before leaving the stage, Quinn commented on how meaningful this show was to him and how it was a night he would never forget. While this show was a one-time event and not part of a larger tour, Matt Quinn will make two stops in Philadelphia while on Mt. Joy’s 2025 tour. Be sure to get your tickets to one or both shows at The Mann Center on September 26th and September 27th of 2025.
