Josh Ritter‘s Sermon on the Rocks is his most ebullient album to date. And, as implausibly as it sounds if you have seen him live, Ritter appears happier than ever while performing — so much so that his fans are becoming even more effusive. Rarely, if ever, have I seen the entire audience rise for an artist before his encore. But for Ritter’s homecoming (of sorts) show in New York they were up (but sat back down after) for “Getting Ready to Get Down”. Even as headlining the gorgeous Beacon Theatre was a triumphant achievement for Ritter, he calm his nerves, he told the audience he was pretending the show was in the tiny Mercury Lounge. But the deceit didn’t matter to the crowd. Many people sang along as Ritter and the Royal City Band performed a smattering of new tracks and old favorites over the 100-plus-minute set.
SETLIST
Idaho
Birds of the Meadow
Young Moses
Right Moves
Monster Ballads
Henrietta, Indiana
A Certain Light
Seeing Me ‘Round
Cumberland
Where the Night Goes
The Stone
Snow Is Gone
Change of Time
Engine Engine #9 (Roger Miller)
Bonfire
Kathleen
Getting Ready to Get Down
Homecoming
[encore break]
The Curse
To the Dogs or Whoever
TOUR DATES
February 25—Durham, NC—Caroline Theatre
February 26—Atlanta, GA—Terminal West
February 27—Nashville, TN—Cannery Ballroom
February 28—Louisville, KY—Headliners Music Hall
February 29—Cincinnati, OH—Taft Theatre
May 22—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre