The loyal The Tallest Man on Earth front-row fans lasted two songs before settling back into their seats — like the rest of us. The Tallest Man on Earth deserves the theater treatment:  fading opulence and large beers. Sitting down, the crowd paid reverent attention to Kristian Matsson and his spritely whirls across the stage. With a full band, his sparse songs unpacked layered tones. Especially on “1904,” the backing percussion made for an exuberant interpretation. Still, for almost half the set, Matsson played solo; it was a reminder of why his music remains grounded in intricate guitar work. Expect the same, with bonus “outdoor vibes,” when The Tallest Man on Earth headlines Friday night at Newport Folk Festival.

Setlist:
Fields of Our Home
Slow Dance
1904
Singers
Darkness of the Dream
Love Is All
The Gardener
Leading Me Now
Sagres
The Wild Hunt
Timothy
Revelation Blues
Wind and Walls
A Lion’s Heart
Little Nowhere Towns
Where Do My Bluebird Fly
Beginners
Seventeen
Dark Bird is Home
The Dreamer
Like the Wheel