Ray LaMontagne

We got to our seats in the middle of the 33rd row a few minutes before Ray took the stage with his band. It was a simple setup, with a few lights and just the rocks as a natural backdrop, but as soon as the music started, all those concerns weighing on my mind followed Ray’s voice up into the night air. A long run of songs from his latest couple albums kicked off with “Lavender” and ended some 40 minutes later with “Smashing”. The rain came in heavy during “For the Summer”, but it had dispersed by the time Zoe was immortalized in the title track from Supernova. Everyone around us kept in their seats, with their full attention locked on the bearded singer in the fedora. No stage banter or audience participation was required for this part of the set. The new songs spoke for themselves, making me feel a little stupid for doubting their capability. It’s not often an artist can hold my attention with unknown material for that length of time, but Ray just has one of those voices that takes a hold and won’t let go. Ray has extended his stage presence and range quite a bit since I last saw him. Instead of hiding himself in the shadows on the side of the stage, he now stands in the center light and let’s his voice travel up through the audience… across lost 70′s airwaves to the littered hobo alleys usually occupied by Tom Waits… and then back home again. As if that wasn’t enough to convince the audience of his confidence, he broke the barrier between man and artist just before taking us “way, way back” with a few old songs. “It makes me happy to say old songs…a lot of people said I was a flash in the pan…bullshit…love me or hate me, I’m not going anywhere.” I read about him kicking an engaged couple out of one of his shows recently because they were talking about wedding plans during his set, but nothing prepared me for the indignant, self-assured guy on the stage. When we saw him in Boulder in 2008, his face was rarely exposed and he didn’t speak a word to the audience. This new found confidence was becoming on him, and what followed made my night. “Burn”, “Trouble” (with some “Stand By Me” thrown in) and “Jolene” almost made me forget I wouldn’t be hearing my favorite songs from Til the Sun Turns Black. This trip down memory lane found me texting old friends from that time in my life…and remembering fondly my first introduction to the sounds of Mr. LaMontagne. It also caused everyone to stand up at exactly the right time. If any arguments were made, they were respectfully ignored. A bathroom break during the one song that I cannot stand (“Meg White”) turned into an opportunity. Evidently I am not the only one who doesn’t like his ode to the White Stripes drummer, because people started flooding down the stairs and out into the night. This allowed us to take advantage of a couple recently vacated seats in the 4th row. And that’s where we were for the rest of the night. Literally face to face with the master of ceremonies. He literally could have sang show tunes at that point, and if he would have sang them with the same passion he had been singing all night, we would have been happy. Instead, we were treated to “God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise” and a sing-along version of “Hey Me, Hey Mama”. The set had started with the opening track to the new album, so it was only fitting that he end the encore with the last track. “Drive-In Movies” was just one more reason for me to give Supernova a shot. I was still singing along in my head as we made our down the ramp and into the Upper North Lot. We were just about to the Trading Post when he came back out for the second encore. We were disappointed that we had left a little too soon, but as the music followed us to our car, we knew we’d already received our money’s worth. Earlier in the night I had walked into Red Rocks wet, tired and prepared to be disappointed. I walked out dry, revitalized and completely satisfied. http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2014/08/10/ray-lamontagne-red-rocks-08-07-14/

Ummmmmm....where to start??? I like Ray. I like his songs, sound, style. I'm not the biggest fan, but certainly like and respect him. I have friends that absolutely love him. I get it. I was invited to his show at Red Rocks and it sounded like a fun and great idea.

Ray started off with Jolene and followed with a couple other expected popular songs. He then paused for a brief several minute break. What came next was simply jaw-dropping amazing....

I don't know if this was planned, as moon phases and rise times can be plotted anywhere on earth for any date in time....but as he started playing his new album, Ouroboros, in entirety in order, with a recorded video of a solar eclipse playing behind the band onstage, the moon started rising behind the stage over Denver, huge and bright orange. It was perfectly timed. It was beyond amazing.

I hear many Ray fans were upset with the show and don't like the new album. I'm not a fan dedicated to his old stuff. I like Ray and his talent, adventure, sound, and style. I had no expectations for the show. I am a huge PINK FLOYD fan, however, and his new album sounds exactly like Pink Floyd. I thought it was awesome.

Kudos, Ray LaMontagne. If you planned that moon rise timing, superb job. If it was coincidence, then God was certainly looking down on you at Red Rocks and blessing you more than many an artist that have ever played there.

Ray put on a great show, as usual, but what struck me the most at this concert were two things: 1. The people who sat at the back could not give two poops about the actual concert itself. Fortunately, the venue, although busy, wasn't entirely sold out, so my friend and I were able to move THREE TIMES in an attempt to find a spot where folks weren't continually talking. 2. Those around us, even if they were listening, were P*SSED that Ray wasn't singing his "old stuff." Granted, Supernova (and it's subsequent tour) is a happier departure from RL's normal stuff, but that doesn't mean it sucks. I understand wanting to hear your favorites, but pipe down and let the man get his groove on.
...but I digress. The show itself was great. Ray not only put on an entertaining "jam session" of the new album peppered with a few of his past monster hits, but he actually SPOKE with the crowd. He spent about 5-7 minutes expressing his gratitude and amazement, very very genuinely, at how his life had changed over the past decade. He even went so far as to thank the crowd, rude folks included, for being the catalyst to that change.
If you have a chance to take in a Ray Lamontagne concert, DO IT. (Just don't sit in the back.)

Was excited to see Ray LaMontagne tonight. Especially at this venue because Starlight Theater is amazing when the weather is seemingly great out. The evening started out with Belle Brigade who were good. Next came Hamilton Leithauser who was ok. Then came Ray LaMontagne starting out with 'Gossip in the Grain' and 'Let it be Me which lulled me into a false hope that the evening would be filled with music from his previous albums. I was wrong. I know that most current tours are self promoting the current albums didn't realize that the rest of the evening would be just that. The only other from any previous albums he sang was 'Trouble'. Don't get me wrong I enjoy listening songs from 'Supernova' but the evening seemed to be cut short in my opinion. Don't know if his voice was giving way or just not getting enough feedback from the crowd or simply just cutting it short to get rest for the next show. Either way if he ever comes near KC I'll attend a show hopeful that maybe there'll be more content.

Great show! Started with an acoustic set, played Ouroboros in it's entirety, and finished with multiple songs from Supernova. If you only know of his first four albums, be sure to catch up with his last two before the show so that you'll be familiar with his latest material. He was backed by three-fifths of My Morning Jacket, Carl has been sick and wasn't able to do the last few dates of the tour, but Bo and Ray did a great job of filling the space in the music that Carl would've occupied. Patrick and Tommy did a awesome job with the rythym and low end and looked like they had a good time doing it. This was the last show of the tour, and I'm sure that everyone was tired, but the performance didn't suffer at all.

Ray, as always is an amazing performer. I will always watch his performances.

The venue on the other hand. We bought tickets for Merriweather. The owners of 9:30 club had this amazingly horrible idea to move the venue, and not really notify anyone until it was already done. They placed it in a weird location, the acoustics were NOT really that good for floor seats. People sat where ever they wanted, people didn't show up due to venue change. The seats where numbered incorrectly. Venue sucked.

Ray, was A+++. Amazing voice, amazing talent. The show was great.

I took my three young grandsons to see Ray at The Woods at Fontanel in Asheville. It was a beautiful summer night with the sounds of frogs in the background and fireflies lighting the night sky. Ray was not disappointing! His new album Super Nova sounded great live and he lit the crowd up with our old favorites Trouble and Jolene. The band was flawless and I loved the way they were lit and the graphics they used on the screen behind them. I had never seen him and he was on my musician bucket list... Check! Don't miss an opportunity to see him!

The show was amazing. I cant count the number of times I got chills while listening to his songs. I have been to several of his concerts but this one was the most simple, raw, and intimate of them all. It was just him and his guitar, only a bass player accompanied. It was a great mix of his more popular songs along with the artistic jam songs. He gave it his all the entire time and then came out for an encore. I wanted to repeat the whole performance again and would pay twice the cost to do it again.

Once life time show. The show run for about short 45 minutes, because we always want more and more. It was the perfect evening. Ray Lamontagne and the guys from "My Morning Jacket" captived the audiences on imaginable mystical,magical moment.And incomparable song selection " Trouble, Hold you in my Arms, Hey, no Pressure." exceptionally sound it fast and smooth sounds effects, light to complemented Ray's calming, lovely, and intimate voice sounding. I could do it all over again.

2 stars, one for the beautiful Greek and one for the enjoyable time we had despite the show. He did not at all perform, he only played. just stood like a statue and regurgitated his music. no audience interaction WHATSOEVER. just like watching a CD player except more boring and it cost $100. live and learn the people next to us left.