We'd seen the engaging group, Matapat before, at New Bedford's Summerfest in Massachusetts, and at Falcon Ridge. The group consists of three French Canadians, accordionist, lead singer, and step dancer, Benoit Bourque, bassist Simon Lepage, and fiddler and guitarist Gaston Bernard. While they sing entirely in French, Bourque's humorous introductory interpretations of each song and between-song patter keep their audience completely wrapped up in every set. Benoit uses his step dancing either sitting, as a percussion instrument, or standing ,as a visual device in addition to rhythmic accompaniment. Later, at the hospital, everyone but the boyfriend visits, but since it's a love story, he finally shows up.
Every number is a high-spirited romp.
At each of their shows, this one included, at some point, Benoit demonstrates the moves to a peasant dance. He then proceeds to lead a large number of audience members in a dance around the room. Weaving through the tables in a long line is no small accomplishment at The Fez. He featured both traditional and Celtic material. His first number was a Willie Nelson cover.