Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats: Waving the Americana Flag

Share This:

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats posing with their first Gold record (Photo: Rett Rogers; used with permission)

We first heard Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats in the summer of 2015 on SiriusXM and immediately liked the man’s attitude. “Son-of-a-bitch… give me a drink!” What’s not to like there?

This slice of Americana/indie folk-rock is a toe-tappin’ song from the big-hearted, bearded singer, born Oct. 7, 1978, who hails from Missouri, and is now based in Denver.

The song hit #1 on the AAA format and #4 Alternative on AllAccess.com, and #2 Rock song on RadioInfo.com. Thanks to repeated spins, “S.O.B.” was certified Gold. The band’s self-titled album was released in 2015 on Stax/Fantasy. The group formed in 2013 and the buzz around them that continues to grow.

This hometown performance at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium shows the band blasting “S.O.B.” and then deftly segueing to The Band’s “The Shape I’m In.”

After putting in a lot of time on the road, their hard work has paid off. Two years after its release, the debut, self-titled album from Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats was officially certified Gold in 2017, signifying sales of 500,000 albums in the U.S.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats’ debut album

The band’s eagerly awaited follow-up, Tearing at the Seams, was released in 2018. Rateliff released a solo LP, And It’s Still Alright, in 2020. It was followed by another album with the band, 2021’s The Future. They’ve become a regular part of Willie Nelson’s annual Outlaw music festival as well as Farm Aid.

Watch them perform at Farm Aid 2019

In October 2024, it was announced that the Newport Folk Festival has named Rateliff to their new Newport Folk Stewardship Program, the first artist appointed to such a role since Pete Seeger. Chosen for his artistry, perseverance and continued allyship, the position holds a three-year term, which will see Rateliff serving as Steward actively for two years and advising the next recipient during a third transition year. As the first Newport Folk Steward, Rateliff has chosen to devote his term to artist advocacy, fellowship and mentorship both at the Fort and beyond.

At the Newport Folk Festival in 2022, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats presented “American Tune Revue.” The concert turned out to feature a surprise performance from Paul Simon.

Watch the band perform “Graceland” with Simon

Rateliff and his band continue to tour regularly including their first arena headlining dates in 2025; tickets are available here and here. Highly recommended. Their recordings are available here.