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)

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