September 23, 2025 – Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA
It was just about perfect for an outdoor show: mild breeze, clear skies, that sweet edge of fall in the Iowa air as the crowd gathered at Stir Cove in Council Bluffs. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats rolled into town on their South of Here tour and gave us a night to remember.
The evening opened with Hannah Cohen, whose presence quietly stole hearts long before her closing notes. Cohen, born in San Francisco and now based in New York, comes from a musical family and has carved out her own space as a singer and songwriter. She has released four albums to date — Child Bride (2012), Pleasure Boy (2015), Welcome Home (2019), and her newest, Earthstar Mountain (2025). Her latest record has been praised for its intimate songwriting and dreamy textures, and features collaborations with well-known artists.
Cohen’s set stretched nearly an hour, and she moved through her catalog with careful pacing — sometimes hushed, sometimes swelling — giving the crowd that soft, electric hush before the storm of the headliner. She showed she could command attention without theatrics, just pure tone, intention, and a voice that lingers.
After a short intermission, the stage darkened and the full band emerged: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. No flashing lights, no gimmicks — just a band that knows when to press and when to lean back, and lean back they did only when Nathaniel himself eased into quieter moments; most of the night rode in full force.
Nathaniel Rateliff started out as a solo folk and Americana artist before forming the Night Sweats in 2013 to explore a more soulful, R&B-driven sound. Their self-titled debut in 2015 went Gold in the U.S., with the single “S.O.B.” hitting Platinum. Since then, they’ve released multiple albums that have cemented them as one of the most authentic and powerful live bands in modern roots music. Their latest record, South of Here, recently won Album of the Year at the 2025 Americana Music Honors & Awards.
Today, the band has more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and their latest two singles are absolutely worth adding to your playlist.
On stage, Rateliff brought high energy — he prowled, he sang with grit and tenderness, he let the horns punch, and the rhythm section drive. Even in quieter acoustic moments, his voice carried clarity and soul. The band nailed transitions, piled on momentum, and gave the crowd those high-octane moments that felt like collective exhale.
There was no flash, no pyro, no distractions — just music. That’s exactly what the fans came to hear. In a night like that, you know you got your money’s worth.
If you were there, you’ll still be hearing “Dusty,” “Heartless,” or some late-set horn breakdown in your head tomorrow. If you weren’t, make sure to catch them next time. Nights like that don’t come around often. Fantastic show!
Hannah Cohen
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
