I cant say Im someone who knows Josh Ritter, only by name (and maybe a song). But I knew this would be quite awesome. I worked the VIP area (for guests of summerstage, typically), but the conductor of the pops ended up having some friends up there. So I got to hear a bit about what was going on and how it went (which prob added some 'cool' factor for me). The conductor kept saying how this would be an awesome 90 min set but it seemed louder than anything he was ever used to. And he had said they hadnt practiced too much so it would be interesting.
It started out with just the pops playing before Josh Ritter came on stage and then it was incredibly awesome. The crowd was seated most the time early on, and then one of his bigger songs came on and everyone got up and was singing and dancing along. The night held out (ie no rain - which hasnt happened much this June) and it turned out to be perfect. He dedicated a song to his parents who were there celebrating their 40th anniversary. He played a song with a poet from NYC. And there was also a song he played with a violinist, Hilary Hahn, who was playing at Town Hall later in the week. She was really great.
And the encore - well it just made my night. He introduced the person joining him onstage as the first person to ever take a chance on him and then out came Glen Hansard. Simply brilliant! The song was Come and Find me.
Setlist:
Best for the Best
Other Side
Rumors
Wolves
Girl in the War
Temptation of Adam
Thin Blue Flame (w/ Hilary Hahn)
To the Dogs or Whoever
Monster Ballads
Edge of the World (w/ poem by Mark Strand)
Bone of Song
Right Moves
Kathleen
Come and Find Me (w/ Glen Hansard)
Empty Hearts
Fri - Josh Ritter & The NY Pops - Summerstage
How was this show?
Also, anyone have comments from Doves' show?
