Shovels and Rope Boise Concert reviews
Train & Butch Walker at the Fox Theater In Oakland
The powerful vocals of Pat Monahan are the most impressive part of Shovels and Rope. Pat Monahan is one of the best voices in music today. To drive this point home, Pat asked that the audience remain quiet while he sang the first verse of "When I Look to the Sky" without aid of a microphone. Sitting in the balcony and being able to easily hear his vocals nailed home just how powerful that voice can be.
My wife has been a fan since the bands first album on up to their new Save Me San Francisco release so I've been versed in their catalog. This was the second time I've seen Shovels and Rope both times have been enjoyable and entertaining shows. Also an honorable mention goes out to the lighting designer for the tastefully done video and lighting backdrop. Too often lighting and effects go over the top and distract from the music. This was not the case last night.
If you don't know Butch you should, will, and already might. Butch Walker opened the show and put on a rollicking set of his songs. He has a long list of production credits for many other stars and his songwriting is slick and witty. More from Butch in the years to come.
Good show at a great venue.