Matt Maltese and Cornelia Murr Deliver a Charming Night at Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia
- Emma Zoe Polyak
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
At Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, Matt Maltese turned a chilly fall evening into a night full of warmth and intimacy. Throughout the night, I watched the venue fill with couples and friend groups swaying in sync, arms wrapped around each other as Maltese’s gentle voice carried through the space. In an otherwise stressful world, his music offered a rare kind of calm.
Opening the night was Cornelia Murr, a British-American singer-songwriter who captivated the crowd with her gorgeously soothing vocals, setting the tone for what would become an evening of softness and connection. She later returned to the stage to join Maltese for “Arthouse Cinema” and “Pined For You My Whole Life,” their harmonies blending effortlessly.
When Matt Maltese took the stage, he did so with the same self-effacing charm that’s made him beloved by fans across the globe. Dressed simply and smiling often, he moved between his piano and organ as he transitioned through songs. His set leaned heavily on songs from Hers, his latest album, which balances melancholy reflection and dry wit with lush tracks. Notably, Hers is his first fully self-produced album since his sophomore album Krystal. “Everybody’s Just As Crazy As Me,” he told the audience, is his favorite from the record, a statement which drew cheers from those in the crowd who already knew every word.
One of the night’s most touching moments came when he invited a fan on stage to sing “Happy Birthday.” Maltese joked that performing the song at each show was his plan to replace the traditional tune. As the fan teared up, he laughed, saying it was the first time anyone had cried during it – but the moment felt sweet and sincere, a reflection of the emotional honesty that runs through his work.
Maltese recently released a new version of “Cure For Emptiness” with Bello (the artist name for Bella Ramsey). His North American tour continues through November, with UK and EU dates closing out the year. Find more tour information here.
