May 11 Music Tuesday: Josh Ritter! OK Go! More!
I was all prepared to post this week’s Music Tuesday yesterday, i.e. on Tuesday, but then I realized that would be bad form. So I waited until today, Wednesday. Is anyone getting this joke?
Huge day of music in Charlotte today. Let’s go:
TONIGHT Wednesday May 12
Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band at McGlohon Theatre
I’ve been waiting for this show for a long time. I’ve seen Ritter play twice before, at the Visulite, and was blown away each time. I’m excited to see him in the larger, acoustically excellent McGlohon. He’s often lauded for his superior songwriting chops, but he is also a transcendent live performer. He connects with the audience on each and every song, his enthusiasm and gratitude coming across as what it is, sincere. As for his musical skills, he just might be the best songwriter working today. But he’s no folky. I love his quote in this recent New York Times profile: "I play rock and roll with lots of words." Last I checked, this show was close to sold out. You really should go see this show. If it is sold out, hit the Web or stand around outside and buy yourself a ticket. Once inside, look for me and my wife on the front freakin’ row. Tickets, info. Here’s a link to an exclusive interview with Ritter from our May issue. And here’s a great video of one my favorite Josh Ritter songs, "Girl in the War":
TONIGHT, Wednesday, May 12
OK Go at Visulite Theater
Pretty sure this one is sold out. But shouldn’t be too hard to acquire tix if you really want some and for some odd reason you’re not already going to see Josh Ritter. Folks know OK Go for their videos (treadmills anyone), but they play pretty solid pop music. And a band member also recently told New York Magazine: "If you want to know our business model, it’s basically: Just keep making awesome shit." That’s a sentiment worth celebrating. Tickets, info. And check out this sweet video: the Rube Goldberg Machine version of "This Too Shall Pass"
Friday, May 14
Tinsley Ellis at the Double Door
Are you serious? Electric blues legend Tinsley Ellis tearing it up at a historic, intimate blues club? Go! Get your tix at the door or here.
Sunday, May 16
Elizabeth Cook at the Double Door
I love the Double Door. One of the best places to see a show in Charlotte, especially now that smoking is banned. History and all that. But why is this woman playing a small club and [insert name here of current contemporary country music starlet] is playing amphitheatres? Tickets, info. And a video, in which she sings from the middle of a busy skateboarding halfpipe:
