It was as though Josh Ritter had something to prove during his performance on Friday night at the Granada, like he was just starting out and needed to grow his fan base in order to make a name for himself.
In reality, the folk rocker is well past that stage in the troubadour's typical journey -- he's got 10 studio albums on the shelf and an enthusiastic group of fans. But Ritter is still making the most of every performance.
Dripping with emotion on Friday, the skilled storyteller proved that he still knows how to enchant an audience.
The Idaho native focuses more on his message than capturing a catchy hook or chorus, resulting in verbose tracks that can leave you in the dust if you're not careful.
Stepping out at the Granada with just an acoustic guitar and a grin, Ritter started off slow and quiet with the milder track "Good Man." He builds his songs with rich, colorful wordplay and the ubiquitous guitar-key combo. But what sets him apart is a subtle break in his voice -- it adds texture to the even-keeled tracks and appears at just the right moments.
Although most didn't seem to catch the quick transition, Ritter shook up the sleepy number "Idaho" with a tucked-in verse from the Kanye West-JAY-Z hit "No Church in the Wild."
The peak of the evening came when the headliner performed a new song with no given title about a bride on her wedding day. His somber, emphatic tone silenced the entire room. The audience hung on every line, helping Ritter achieve the intended emotion.
Fortunately, though, he counteracted the gloominess with one of his sunnier singles, "Getting Ready to Get Down," from the 2015 release Sermon on the Rocks.
Unless you've followed Ritter throughout the years or have a nostalgic connection, it can be challenging to relate to his contemplative style when seeing him for the first time. But the Granada was bustling with fans demonstrating a kind of loyalty that will continue to serve him well on the road.
And for those lucky enough to catch the opening act Friday, it was well worth the early arrival. The Colorado-based Americana band Elephant Revival filled the stage with an array of instruments, everything from banjos and mandolins to washboards and saws. Lively and warm, this five-part group combines voices and rhythms to create a thrillingly unique live experience.
More photos from the show
