The legendary guitarist Pat Metheny gave a memorable concert at the Botanical Garden of the Complutense University, dazzling attendees for over two hours. With a mix of classics and new tracks, Metheny demonstrated that his passion for music remains intact at nearly 72 years old.
The Botanical Garden of the Complutense University witnessed a magical night on July 26, when Pat Metheny took to the stage for a concert that left the audience breathless. Despite nearing his 72nd birthday, the American guitarist displayed an energy and vitality that defied his age. For over two and a half hours, Metheny delighted the crowd with a repertoire that spanned both his new works and timeless classics.
The atmosphere in the garden was palpable; the nearly one thousand attendees resisted leaving their seats at the prospect of the artist returning to the stage after each applause. And so it was: on four occasions, Metheny reignited the audience's excitement, reaffirming his status as one of the greats of contemporary jazz.
With a career spanning over five decades since his iconic album Jaco, alongside Jaco Pastorius and Paul Bley, Metheny has managed to remain relevant in a constantly changing musical world. Although some critics suggest he has lost some of his ability to surprise, he continues to explore new sounds and collaborate with young musicians who bring freshness to his sound.
On this occasion, he was accompanied by a talented group: Chris Fishman on piano, Joe Dyson on drums, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Leonard Patton as singer and percussionist. Together they performed tracks from the recent album Side-Eye-III +, but also made room for classics like Bright Size Life, Are You Going with Me, and Song of Bilbao, the latter being the perfect closing for an unforgettable evening.
Throughout the concert, Metheny showcased his mastery by playing various guitars and exploring different musical styles. In standout moments, he was seen leading both an original trio and a quintet enriched by Patton's vocal contributions, who evoked comparisons to Milton Nascimento. The musician's versatility shone particularly when he performed solo with his electro-acoustic guitar.
Despite the festive and relaxed atmosphere of the event, there was a humorous attempt by the organising team to ask attendees to put away their mobile phones during the show. This request was met with laughter and sarcastic applause; however, many managed to disconnect momentarily from the digital world to fully immerse themselves in the musical experience.
As the Nights of the Botanical Garden come to an end this year after ten successful editions, the musical legacy left by artists like Pat Metheny lives on in the collective memory. For those interested in enjoying even more similar cultural events, it is advisable to check the future programming of the Botanical Garden or explore other local musical initiatives.
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