Shovels & Rope at the Bluebird Theater, Denver (04/24/13)

Tour Dates 05/04/13 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle 05/05/13 Atlanta, GA Masquerade 05/10/13 London, UK Dingwalls 05/12/13 Glasgow, UK Stereo 05/18/13 Gulf Shores, AL Public Beach 05/24/13 Yosemite, CA Camp Mather 05/26/13 Quincy, WA Gorge Amph 06/01/13 Ozark, AR Mulberry Mountain 06/04/13 New Orleans, LA Tipitina's Uptown 06/05/13 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box 06/09/13 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium 06/14/13 Newport, KY Southgate House 06/15/13 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music 06/16/13 Columbus, OH The Bluestone 06/19/13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club 06/21/13 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub 06/22/13 New York, NY Terminal 5 07/10/13 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue 07/12/13 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre 07/13/13 Louisville, KY Louisville Waterfront 07/14/13 Iowa City, IA Englert Theatre 07/16/13 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall 07/20/13 Indianapolis, IN Vogue 07/23/13 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live! 07/24/13 Port Chester, NY Capitol Theatre 08/03/13 Chicago, IL Grant Park

Touring in promotion of their 2012 debut album, O’ Be Joyful, Shovels & Rope played to a sold out crowd last night at Denver’s Bluebird Theater.

The Charleston-based band is comprised of husband and wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst.  Flip-flopping between the drums, guitar, tambourine and keys, the couple aims (and succeeds) at making as much sound as two people possibly can.  Although well-equipped with two microphones, the pair elects to affectionately sing many of their songs into the same mic.  Approaching close to 200 shows each year, Shovels & Rope churns out their raspy and raw harmonies like a well-oiled rockabilly machine.

“We’re so happy to be here with all y’all Rocky Mountain people!” Hearst declared upon taking the stage.  Trent’s un-tuned guitar delayed the first few minutes of the show, to which Hearst joked “Did your guitar wander off to a dispensary?  You just can’t leave these guitars unsupervised.” 

The band kicked off their set with the sultry, slithering number “Tickin’ Bomb”.  From there they launched into “The Keeper”, which was blissfully accented by Hearst shimmying on the drum kit and smashing her tambourine against the cymbal.  With Trent’s family in the audience, he dedicated their tenth number (“When I”) to his mother; the song’s loving lyrics state: If you’re crying, than I hope you’re overjoyed/ and if you like it, let me give you what I have/ cause I’ve got your back, and I always have.

Brimming with enthusiasm and gazing adoringly at one another throughout their entire set, the couple played other songs which included: “O’ Be Joyful”, “Magdelina”, “Hail Hail”, and big hit “Birmingham”.  Both taking a bow at the end of their 17 song set, they returned to the cheering demands of the crowd for three more.  “This encore is all about coming back soon”, Hearst said before launching into “Lay Low”.  Portland-based opener, DENVER, returned to help Shovels & Rope close out the show with a cover of Son Volt’s “Windfall” (see photo).

Like their album title, Shovels & Rope promises (and delivers) a show that leaves the crowd nothing less than absolutely joyful.  O’ BE JOYFUL, indeed!

Shovels & Rope at the Bluebird Theater, Denver (04/24/13)

kira ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ shovelsandrope.com

Comments

[Peter Paolini]

I've seen them a number of time live...they are GEAT!