Josh Ritter @ Academy 2
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Artist:
After braving the rather chilly Mancunian night to attend the Idaho based singer-songwriter's headline show, Josh Ritter's fans were rewarded with a show that defrosted the fingers and warmed the heart.
_Look how early I get to shows!_Support came from the sultry solo songstress "Kate Walsh":http://www.myspace.com/katewalsh whose delicate and charming melodies enticed and entertained all those eager enough to turn up early. Although her repertoire seemed somewhat limited in scope, and at times I was thinking more about the strange grew brew she chugged on between tracks, she was a warm and often captivating opener for the show, and any sucker for a girl with a guitar should be sure to track her progress.
_Coolest bassist ever!_While the support remained beautifully understated, Josh exploded from the very start with exuberance. Boosting the already hefty set-list with a few apparently unplanned additions the show stretched to a heroic one hour fifty, encompassing over twenty tracks. All the while Josh and the band (all decked out in rather snazzy suits) made the most of the occasion, delivering every song with unbelievable energy. In-jokes abounded as the band seemed to thoroughly relish the show, flamboyant guitar faces and cheeky smirks revealing their true enjoyment. Musically the set was tip-top, the band never missed a beat, with the sheer energy adding huge depth to a collection of songs that already seem profound on disc. The up beat songs burst forth with uncontrollable exuberance, whilst the ballads flickered with an intimacy that made you want to reach out and embrace the girl you love. (Unfortunately, she wasn't around, so I guess the restraining order from the woman next to me is in the post). All through the set the crowd gave as good as they got, dancing for joy despite most of them being old enough to be my parents. Between tracks Josh launched into lively directions, his subjects ranging from the fall of the Roman empire (apparently caused by a lack of disco) to the bizarre Idaho tradition of keeping potatoes in your basement for luck. Set-closing _Lillian_ proved to be the highlight, as Ritter in the band marshalled a sing-a-long in various styles, barbarian falsetto anyone?
_Just Joshing around_Without doubt Ritter is a fantastic showman. He spared no effort in ensuring the crowd has a good a time as him, drawing on the fans' attention and returning with a spark of brilliance. Perfect execution of magnificent tunes, truly a man to catch live if you can.
_Curtain call__After the show I managed to grab a setlist and get it signed by Kate Walsh, who said to me and my friend she was pleased to see such friendly faces on the front row. How nice is that?_
_Look how early I get to shows!_Support came from the sultry solo songstress "Kate Walsh":http://www.myspace.com/katewalsh whose delicate and charming melodies enticed and entertained all those eager enough to turn up early. Although her repertoire seemed somewhat limited in scope, and at times I was thinking more about the strange grew brew she chugged on between tracks, she was a warm and often captivating opener for the show, and any sucker for a girl with a guitar should be sure to track her progress._Coolest bassist ever!_While the support remained beautifully understated, Josh exploded from the very start with exuberance. Boosting the already hefty set-list with a few apparently unplanned additions the show stretched to a heroic one hour fifty, encompassing over twenty tracks. All the while Josh and the band (all decked out in rather snazzy suits) made the most of the occasion, delivering every song with unbelievable energy. In-jokes abounded as the band seemed to thoroughly relish the show, flamboyant guitar faces and cheeky smirks revealing their true enjoyment. Musically the set was tip-top, the band never missed a beat, with the sheer energy adding huge depth to a collection of songs that already seem profound on disc. The up beat songs burst forth with uncontrollable exuberance, whilst the ballads flickered with an intimacy that made you want to reach out and embrace the girl you love. (Unfortunately, she wasn't around, so I guess the restraining order from the woman next to me is in the post). All through the set the crowd gave as good as they got, dancing for joy despite most of them being old enough to be my parents. Between tracks Josh launched into lively directions, his subjects ranging from the fall of the Roman empire (apparently caused by a lack of disco) to the bizarre Idaho tradition of keeping potatoes in your basement for luck. Set-closing _Lillian_ proved to be the highlight, as Ritter in the band marshalled a sing-a-long in various styles, barbarian falsetto anyone?_Just Joshing around_Without doubt Ritter is a fantastic showman. He spared no effort in ensuring the crowd has a good a time as him, drawing on the fans' attention and returning with a spark of brilliance. Perfect execution of magnificent tunes, truly a man to catch live if you can._Curtain call__After the show I managed to grab a setlist and get it signed by Kate Walsh, who said to me and my friend she was pleased to see such friendly faces on the front row. How nice is that?_
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