Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter's acoustic show at the Fitzgerald was fantastic, as have been all his shows that I've seen. I remember the first time I saw him play--the 400 Bar in the early '00s, opening for Haley Bonar. He radiated joy. He still does, although with more trips around the sun, the light in his lantern, though no less bright, casts more flame of summer than sunniness of spring. He and Zack still seem like the guys you'd want to hang out with in any green room. (Zack played that night at the 400, a great looking viola bass that was not a Hofner.) And Josh Kaufman--holy blazes, Batman. That dude can play. And the opener, Gregory Alan Isakov, is a great new find for me. I love his song The Universe. Great job, guys! As before, thanks. ("Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Josh Ritter!")

This is the fourth Josh Ritter concert I've attended. I've been to two at the Showbox in Seattle, and one in Vancouver, B.C. (the Commodore Ballroom?). The other ones were great, but I think this one was probably the best. He's recently released a new album, and I was a little concerned he'd play only songs from that album, but he played only five or so; the rest were great songs from previous albums. The execution was perfect; the songs were pretty much exactly how I'd imagine the order to go: a great song to start, some softer ones mixed with more rock-ish songs in the middle, über-high energy ones for the finale, and some calmer stuff for the encore. It was fairly warm in the venue, but they had air conditioning, and the temperature was fine, considering it was standing room only (closer to the stage) and the show was sold out. Because it was all ages, there was this weird diagonal partition going across part of the room to separate the under-21 group from the over-21 group. It was kind of lame for the unders, because they weren't able to get as close to the stage. I was about six or seven feet away.The opening act, Dawes, was okay, but I came to see Josh Ritter, and was not disappointed in the slightest. I've got a bit of a headache and I'm probably a little deafer, but I'm young, and it was definitely worth it. If you enjoy music, you need to see a Josh Ritter concert.

I've seen Josh Ritter before (at the Great American Music Hall) but this was hands down one of the most enjoyable shows I've seen at The Fillmore in a long, long time. A great selection of songs, an incredible amount of energy, a phenomenal sound and just a great chemistry with the audience. Also the opening band, Carolina Chocolate Drops, got an encore, which I haven't seen in a long time. Plus, y'know, a guest appearance by Joan Baez didn't hurt either. Josh said it was a "great, great night" for him, and it was for us too. Thanks again for an amazing show!

Sound system quality interferred with several numbers- new material was amazing!

This is our second Josh Ritter performance and I have to say he just gets better! He has grown so much in his comfort level while on stage that his fun and playful personality is beyond infectious. His opening acts however leave something to be desired. The forgotten name from the previous concert and Joe Pug from this most recent concert are absolutely boring. The performances are all done in the same chords and are so monotone you are yawning and desperately looking at your watch long before Josh Ritter hits the stage. It is a very painful price to pay to see Josh.

I have seen Josh, solo or with his band, each tome he has been to the Twin Cities since he opened for Jimmie Dale Gilmore at First Avenue several years ago. He never fails to disarm the audience and deliver a joyous performance. The Varsity performance was, as always, delightful. He and the band, which is evolving into an extraordinary ensemble, seemed to be having so much fun. It was infectious.

Josh Ritter rocked the Varsity. Everything about the show was wonderful, he puts on a great live show. Also, the Varsity is an underrated venue-- beautiful, atmospheric, sparkling lights and tables around the edges, space to rock out in the middle. Perfect.

I loved the way Josh and his band mixed high energy rock numbers with thoughtful ballads. Many concert -goers around me added to the experience by singing Josh's easy to remember lyrics.

The opening act was a little bit of a downer, but Josh Ritter was well worth the wait. he played most of the greats, (more than half) from Animal years and Historical Conquests, Hello Starling....he played a very full, energenic two hours. The Varisty Theatre was a cool venue--sound was good--will go back again!

Josh has a way of making you feel peace through his music. He is an excellent performer and a happy guy. Love him and will be attending more concerts of his in the future.

Every time I see Josh Ritter live, I walk away having been reminded of what a concert is supposed to be\u2014fun, emotional and brilliantly performed. And to see him perform an all acoustic set? He's amazing no matter the band set-up.

This event said doors opened at 8. My best friend and I drove 5 hours and got there at 830 thinking the show would have barely started or not started only to discover we missed the reason for going... The opening act, Gregory Alan Isakov. I really wanted to like Josh Ritter but I just couldn't. He played way too many songs compared to his opener and bored me to death.

Josh Ritter played for 2 hours straight and it was great. I was only familiar with one of his albums and it was great to hear some of his other songs. The show was full of energy and great music. I went home humming one of his songs for the rest of the night. Well done!

I don't know how to express in words just how great this concert was on Tuesday night. My girlfriend is a fan and I bought tickets for Valentines Day. I am now a huge fan. His smooth and easy to listen to voice, the intimate setting, and great showmanship. Great job.

Josh was AMAZING and his opening act was great as well. So much enthusiasm and he was hilarious as well as musically talented.

Very talented musician; I was disappointed he didn't play some of his better songs in my opinion. To the Dogs and Change of Time. Something I have seen from a few artists lately, they don't understand to put on great show you need to include your hits, and take some license with the rest of the show. But loved his energy and creativity and think he is a great lyricist!

Great opening act. Great music and great performance. Josh had a smile on his face the whole time which made me leave with a big smile on my face.

I learned of Josh through Pandora and most of his music is pretty mellow. I figured the show would have similar energy. I was wrong. It was a great show for a couple reasons. First, the sound quality was excellent and the crowd was perfectly behaved so you could enjoy the songs as they were intended to be heard. Second, and more importantly, Josh wanted to be there. There was a genuine sense from the band that they were excited to be there and grateful for the opportunity to play in a cool theater with an appreciative crowd. I was not familiar w many of the songs but very much enjoyed them. In short; a great crowd+a talented band that enjoys performing+ solid tunes = great show.

Josh Ritter was fantastic, smiley, and personable on stage. Music was phenomenal, sound was perfect for the Fitz Theater.

Excellent show, musicianship was superb. Josh, Zachariah, and Sam showed respect for the audience with their classy appearance and professional approach to the music.

Josh Ritter takes such joy in his music that it can't help but be contagious. Thanks for another great show!

I thoroughly enjoyed the show and the venue. Josh's music was just perfect for the size of the venue and the accoustics were very good.

I came to the show for Gregory Alan Isakov, the opener. He had a good 30 minute solo set, although he noted that he's more comfortable playing with a band and some of his music lacked the beautiful ambience of the full version as a result. Ritter, however, blew me away. Full of energy and joy, his electrifying set ran nearly 2 hours and was enjoyable the entire time. Perhaps as a result of having performed at Wits, he cracked jokes throughout his set, had memorable interactions with the audience, and convinced the lighting crew to allow him to play two songs in complete darkness. I knew very little about him before the show, but I would heartily recommend seeing him now that I have.

This concert, like the other three I have been to, was quite extraordinary. Lyrically, Josh cannot be beat. The syncopation, usage of imagery with melody are exquisite and the levels of depth and layer within each song is genius. The song list contained music from the Animal Years up to The Beast In Its Tracks sprinkled with a few new songs all of which showcased Josh's never ending well of talent. The show really got into its stride about forty five minutes into the set when the guitarist and bassist really started showing their chops with a few of the new songs I haven't heard. I am always impressed with Josh Ritter's boundless energy and joy when performing. I'm proud to be fan and would love to have Josh as a dinner guest some day.

As always his shows deliver. What a story teller through music.

Event venue=Incredible. LOVE the Fitzgerald theatre and all the staff that work there and take pride in their jobs. Every seat is a good seat and we had ones on the floor that felt like we were sitting in our living room watching the artists sing specifically to us! Having Gregory Allen Isakov open for Josh was brilliant and his music style and interaction with the crowd set the entire evening up for a special treat! Many people in attendance sitting around us didn't know who he was, but he was actually the reason we attended! Our only negative was we felt like Gregory could have played more! Josh Ritter and his band were amazing as well delivering a show that exceeded my expectations for the night. the man has a smile on his face the entire time so how could you not enjoy his stage performance and sound?!!!

Josh Ritter is always great to see and the venue is great for music.

To be honest I mostly went to this show to see Gregory, but was pleasantly surprised to enjoy Josh Ritter as much as I did. They are both such talented and creative singer/songwriter/musicians and give fantastic live performances (it's going to be hard listening to their recorded music after this, knowing that it won't compare). Gregory has such a dreamy, nostalgic voice and Josh is an engaging storyteller, in his songs and in between as well. The Fitzgerald was the perfect venue, providing an atmosphere that was both grand and intimate. My only complaint would be that thanks to a warning from Ticketmaster about a "visual obstruction" in front of the closest available seats, I bought some that were further away for the same price, only to find no such visual obstruction existed. Otherwise, everything was even better than I had hoped for!

Stunning! Amazing! Hands sore from clapping. Cheeks sore from smiling. Heart full.

I've been wanting to see Josh Ritter for a while. I was not disappointed. Josh Ritter was worth the wait. Gregaory Alan Isakov was a fantastic opening act.

A transcendent evening! The Ebell is cozy, intimate, picturesque. The opening act, Gregory Alan Isakov and his two "best friends in the world" were a perfect opening act. Josh Ritter was phenomenal, simultaneously exciting and mellow, beautiful songs, beautiful accompaniment. Fantastic and restorative!

Opening act was amazing! Lead singer has a great voice and the entire band was a lot of fun.

Ritter puts on an unforgettable performance starting off the tour after a The Beast in its Tracks released. If you havent seen him live, you should. He makes the concert fun for even the most inexperienced in his music.

Have seen hundreds of gigs in my 2 plus decades of working in the music business. Josh and his band have a very rare ability to convey true personality and warmth from a stage to a room, of a thousand people plus. Infectious good vibes. Great music . Have seen before and will see again.

Josh Ritter played his heart out. His joy in performing seeped out from the stage onto the crowd. Everyone was smiles all around.

He's fantastic in concert!!! He is a great entertainer.

AMAZING. Such incredible energy! Every time I see one of Josh's shows I'm blown away. This time was no different. Over a week later and I'm still grinning every time I think about it.

Josh Ritter's performance was everything I expected and more! High energy, only about 300 people in a small venue. You could tell he loved performing, and he was in his element. I honestly don't know how he isn't more well known, but I'm glad I have all his music! Plus, he played "Wings", my favorite song!

This was my first experience seeing Josh and The Royal City band live. His energy as well as everyone on stage is impossible to deny. It's clear that they truly love what they do. If you get the chance to see them live--don't hesitate. Bravo! Thanks guys for such a memorable night.

This was without a doubt the best show I have ever been to. The band was charismatic and unpretentious. They played all the songs I loved with more energy than on the albums, and everything was played wonderfully. The show was just over two hours, no including the opening act. He played all but two songs off the new album, most of the previous album, and everyone's favorites old songs like Kathleen, Monster Ballads, Good Man and In the Dark. There were no audio problems, the volume was perfect. We had great seats. Josh Ritter is without a doubt a man who knows how to put on a show. He talked to the audience between songs, and by the end of the show every person in the room felt personally acquainted with him. He grinned and danced around the entire time. It was a life changing experience.

I had already loved Josh's songs for years before I got to go to his concert, but now I do not exaggerate when I say that he is by far my favorite musician. His voice is lovely, his set fun, and his enthusiasm for the music overwhelming and infectious. I would recommend his music and his concerts to anyone and everyone!

amazing show by an amazing performer. great energy. Definitely a must see.

Wonderful show. Security needs to relax a little bit, a bit too high strung.

I have seen Ritter five times and every single time he puts on a great and unique performance. He is one of the best songwriters of our time and a true talent. This acoustic show highlights those talents beautifully and he doesn't do the audience any disfavors with two encores and a note that I swear continued for two whole minutes. A must see.

A great night of music that shouldn't have ended. He played a lot of great music and still wanted to hear more of his catalogue.

A great concert. The warmup duet was eclectic but awesome. Josh was soo pumped to be playing for us. It showed in his music and playing and his bass player was entertaining and funny as well. My wife nad I had a great time.

This was my 17th Josh Ritter concert and each one has always been better then the last.He seems to be so into what he sings and plays. He has always connected to the people who have come to watch and listen. He looks to always be having fun on stage and makes you feel welcomed and appreciated. The Woodstock show was just great and it seemed like an old home coming for Josh. Very satisfying to see him so happy on stage. The Bearsville Theater was a fun place to see the show, and of course walking around town before the show was and always is magical. I met Garret who is the light and sound man before the show and he was so down to earth and helped me to feel really welcomed. I also got to meet the manager of the Bearsville Theater after the show and we talked about the building and some of its past history. By my count Josh played over 30+ songs. I think there were maybe 9 or 10 new songs. I can't wait for a new album to come out. If you have never been to a Josh Ritter show you are really missing out on some great music and a great performer. Not to mention a gifted song writer. I love what he has to say. Can't wait for the next show. I do have to comment on the Josh Ritter posters. All very special and when framed they make great gifts and look super hanging on my walls. I have been giving framed posters of old shows to friends for many years.

JJ Grey seemed like he only sang covers and each song was like 25 minutes long Josh only sang his new stuff not one good song from his past and he only played for about an hour

I was so disappointed. The sound and/or acoustics at the Madrid were horrible. Ritter's dialog with the audience was unintelligible, and I barely recognized some of his songs because the lyrics were overwhelmed by music (e.g., guitar riffs). A renowned singer/songwriter's melodies and words need to be heard to be fully enjoyed by some of us.

Seeing Josh Ritter live is always a memorable experience - he is an amazing songwriter with beautiful music to accompany his lyrics. The happiness and excitement exuded from Josh and band is contagious and leaves a permanent smile on my face for the whole concert! He also always pairs up with a great opener - the Steel Wheels were incredible. This was my 4th time seeing him in concert, and the Pageant was a great venue for it.

Amazing venue for a fantastic show - Josh Ritter was amazing and it was a great "victory lap" show for a long tour.

Great set. The two players did a great job with acoustic versions of the songs. It all sounded great at the Hall of Music

Venue was perfect crowd excellent intimate and loyal.. Josh Ritter amazing .. Connected deeply with passion and heart. He truly is a great artist compelling and real. Highlights were many.. Wolves, Change of Time , Girl in the War, Lilian Egypt to name a few.. Also the new songs Hopeful and New Lover Also Joy to the City were more than fine. Another artist that has the acclaim has the fans but many more need to hear this artist full of heart.

Josh is one of the most talented, enthusiastic and happy performers I've ever seen. His joy is infectious and I always leave his concerts with renewed love for him.

Better each time I see him! He is always so happy to be sharing the experience with everyone.

I would give 10 stars if I could. The show was phenomenal, I will never forget it. I can close my eyes and be right back there. It was a really upbeat show. Josh Ritter performed non-stop and seemed SO happy to be there, it was infectious. I didn't know an artist could smile so much while performing. Hope to see him again soon!!!

Memorable evening. Josh Ritter is a great entertainer! Smart, funny lyrics , a real wordsmith. His voice has real range, Whether he's singing a simple ballad or full rock n roll. Don't miss Josh Ritter.

Having seen Josh Ritter about ten times or so over the last few years, I have learned that each show is usually different and wonderful. Tonight, he had his usual standby Zac Hickman on board as well as a superb guitar player named Josh Kaufman. Billed as an acoustic performance, this was anything but. Strong guitar solos and forays into Josh's second and third albums were enthralling. Song selection was great, Josh was his usual high energy self. Literate, musical and fun....what a great was to spend an evening.

I've seen Josh Ritter 6 times now--though this was my first with the trio instead of the full band--and I love the band, but this was by far the best show yet. Josh's stagecraft and performance are as masterful as his songwriting. He played a lot of older material that I haven't gotten to hear live yet and I loved it. It was a magic, perfect evening.

He's a great performer, an amazing song-writer, a brilliant writer, and so much fun to watch and hear.

Josh Ritter had a wonderful stage presence and his songs are beautiful.

This was my 3rd time seeing him. He has been great each time. The Somerville Theatre was the perfect place too. I took someone who had never heard of him and she really enjoyed the concert as well. Great concert.

Everyone should go and watch Josh Ritter perform - he has amazing stage presence, and the music and performer-audience banter is just terrific. Greg Isakov was great too - some soulful, melancholy stuff.

Not only do his songs sound better live but you can tell how much he LOVES what he does. I don't think he stopped smiling the entire time he was on stage. The stories he told and the way he made the show interactive for the crowd made the night unforgettable! I would see him again in a heartbeat!

We missed the opening show, Gregory Alan Isakov, because it took forever to find a place to park, but arrived in plenty of time to see Josh. He was on fire! He played a range of his new and older stuff and he was so happy and engaging. Everyone felt so happy and we loved singing along and doing the wolf howls. :))) He gets better and better. His band members blew us away with their versatility and perfect timing. The vocals were beautiful. I just can't say enough good things about this memorable concert. Thank you for a lovely evening.

Josh was great - clearly having a blast and he sounded terrific. And the two guys in his band were incredible musicians. He peppered the set with the most random non-sequiturs. It was a really great show.

This was my third Josh Ritter concert, and I've never been disappointed in the slightest. He is a great performer - very enthusiastic and talented. You're guaranteed to leave happier than you came in.

As usual, Josh Ritter did not disappoint. Great songwriting and performance. The musicians were top notch.

This was a wonderful show. The set list consisted of songs perfect for an acoustic performance. Josh, along with Josh Kaufman and Zack Hickman, put on an impressive performance. If you haven't seen him live yet, you must!

Josh Ritter in the raw. So full and genuine just like his songs. Such a pleasure to see him live.

Josh Ritter is always great. He seemed extremely excited to be playing for us. I would see him again.

Josh as he was meant to be - just him and his guitar... occasionally joined by Zac on the upright bass. This show was incredible.

This was my favorite show yet. I love that Josh Ritter accomplishes so much with just a guitar and his voice. He's incredible and interactive with the crowd. I've never seen someone so genuinely happy to play.

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! The venue was great because it was close and personal.

Josh Ritter is an amazingly talented artist. He sets the mood right away and brings you on a journey through his music with some narrative. He makes you feel like you have known him for years as he invites you into his world to experience his prospectives and life moments.

These gents know all about musicianship. Josh & Zach have always been great writers/performers, but with the addition of a horn section & roses all over the stage, not to mention the wonderful orchestration...WELL! These fellas have graduated up to the next rank of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!

It was a very good show, especially when the band was playing with Ritter, as there was a beat and the crowd could get a little more into it....people weren't quite jumping for that most part, but there was a good atmosphere.

Amazing show and great venue. Would definitely recommend.

Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band was a very good performance.

This guy is into what he does...he loves his fans ..belts out his tunes and smiles to the cows come home...

To accurately write this review, I must start off by saying how kind and accommodating the venue and its staff are. And secondly, the show itself. Scott Hutchinson as the opener was a phenomenal act in and of himself. His voice is smooth and carried well over his acoustic guitar to fill the room with warm tones. Then the big guy came on. Josh Ritter opened the show with a solo acoustic song that set the pace and positive mood of the rest of the show. If you have never seen Josh Ritter live, you are missing out. Not only does he sound just as good live as his recordings, but his energy and his personality make him that much more enjoyable to watch. This past show was probably one of the greatest of my life thus far. I will be sure to make it a point to catch Josh Ritter whenever he comes around next.

Josh ritter is the happiest performer- he had the biggest grin- genuine joy, it was infectious

Josh Ritter and the band had great energy. They definitely captivated the audience.

Love Josh's music and lyrics. My second time seeing him. The lighting effects in the beginning of the show were very distracting. We were there to listen to Josh s lyrics and his music, it s not a rock-show. The set was very, very short, not worth the effort or the cost to trek up to LA. He sang one of the songs I was looking forward to, \u2018Thin Blue Flame , without the PA. I could barely hear it, especially with noise in the back of the room. What was up with that? Bottom Line: We wanted to hear good, live music and get our entertainment value for our dollars and The Music Box Sucks! Josh is a must see, in a smaller venue that isn't trying to get you out for the DJ CLUB show that followed.

Fantastic energy and flawless performances! Josh just glows on stage and it shows in the richness of his music.

From his insistent grin, his incredible talent, and his moving songs, this man made my night. I first saw him open for Ray LaMontagne in London and I had no idea who he was, but seeing him onstage front and center with that incredible brass band just moved me to tears, made me dance, made me hold my man a little closer and made me cheer. Thank you, Josh, for an unforgettable night.

Seeing Josh RItter live in concert was an out of body experience. Amazing, amazing show. You can tell he's almost happier to just be playing then you are listening...it's so refreshing to see an artist be so greatful to have the ability to share his gift. 5 stars.

No artist can keep an audience moving through a show better than josh ritter. He's like a young Bruce Springsteen.

Josh Ritter is an amazing performer - he has so much enthusiasm when he plays and his songs are beautiful. I saw him in San Diego at the Belly-up last June. I would rate that show 5 plus stars. The vibe at the Music Box was completely different. I don't know if it was the L.A. crowd or just the venue but the show didn't have the same energy. I still love Josh and would see him anywhere!

Such a rich voice when performing live, and his energy and enthusiasm were infectious. Packed house, two encores, and just a really solid, fun show.

He really mixed it up by playing songs from all his recordings, not just promoting his current release. Great energy and comments between songs. Overall, he was very entertaining!

Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band was a fantastic show! The playlist could not have been better....he had great pacing, great audience involvement, and his vocals and lyrics were spot on.

Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band were amazing! They moved me to tears! With a melodic combination of rich lyrics, intense music, and extraordinary showmanship, it was the performance of a lifetime. Josh gets better ever year, and seeing him perform with his band was an incredible treat!

Love Josh and the band -- his shows are always super. What a great songwriter! But I'm too old and cranky to enjoy standing for hours to listen to anyone. Sorry, but the venue lacks what it takes to make a concert really enjoyable. Sound is mediocre and standing -- well that just sucks.

Josh Ritter is an amazing live show. Charisma, talent, this smile that doesn't quit--this guy is truly awesome to see live. Both him and the Royal City Band do not quit, and they're still so humble while playing their songs. I would recommend seeing him to anyone, whether they've heard the music or not.

Josh Ritter was incredible. I smiled from beginning to end and we're so happy that our 2 sons told us that Josh is an amazing and talented artist whose energy is unforgettable.

I have never seem an artist have so much fun on stage, he was a joy to watch and wicked talented. If you get a chance to see him, GO!

I've been to a LOT of folk/rock concerts and this was one of the all-time BEST. I listened to Josh online and expected an acoustic folky kinda set - his full band and blends of rock and folk, his attention to fine-tuning lights and sound throughout the performance without the glitz of a wild light show, and his haunting lyrics made this a fabulous show. Add the Uptown venue in Napa, a restored big theatre with amazing acoustics and a clean, smoke-free venue, and you had just a totally amazing evening with Josh. Another BIG plus was his infectious smile which could be seen all the way into the balcony - Josh was having FUN, his band was smiling and playing: an amazing contrast to the dour and sour scowling players that too often frequent a rock performance. OH YEAH - left the concert delighted. RUN, don't walk, to see Josh - especially at a smaller venue (he's playing San Francisco too but wanted the non-big-city intimacy which showcases his talents especially well).

I'd heard great things about Josh Ritter's live performances, and yep, true. He's got ridiculous amounts of energy, ridiculous amounts of charm (grin, banter, haberdashery, random delightfulness), and he sings good too. The Royal City Band was also pleasing to me. The Uptown in Napa is a pretty venue with solid sound. Very comfortable all around: easy parking, comfortable seats, pleasant ushers, easy access to excellent downtown Napa restaurants/hotels.

Let me preface this by saying I really do love Josh and the band, as this was the 6th time I've seen him/them live. This was much better than the show at the Wonder Ballroom in June. The entire band seemed much more energized and enthused, which made the concert more enjoyable. HOWEVER, as I have seen him way too many times now, I've become a little bored with his live show. The past several times I've seen him, he does the same exact stage routine and doesn't interact with the audience nearly as much as he did the first two times I saw him. He still seems pretty excited to be wherever he is, but he just doesn't convey it in the same way. But maybe that's what happens after you've seen him so many times. I did enjoy that he played a lot of material from Golden Age of Radio