joshritter_ireland

"Oh, Estelle!"

SHOW #2:
The Olympia Theatre

Dublin, February 13, 2004

Next Page,
The After-Party

Josh Ritter
Fansite Homepage

THE FOGGY DEW.
Before leaving the States, there were a few postings on the official Josh Ritter message board about some fans meeting up at the Foggy Dew pub, just down the street from the Theatre. I popped in with barely an hour before showtime, and started my search for "DelightedinDublin" from the message board, who was to be wearing a cowboy hat. The pub had a bustling, Friday evening crowd, and I tracked down "DiD." I introduced myself, but I think she knew me from a picture or two on my website. "Sinead" was there, too, and it was so great to finally meet these gals in person. A few fans couldn't make it because of last minute entanglements, ticket-getting, and meeting up with friends outside the Theatre. A good little group did turn up, though - but we found ourselves pressed for time...Only had time for a pint. But it was the IDEA of having a drink together before the show that mattered. Got to meet a few others like "Grainne" and "Anne-Marie" as well....everybody was just so nice. My spirits, already flying high as a result of just being there in Ireland, started to soar as we headed over to the show.

MR. GEARY.
While walking into the theater, I got to personally thank one of the people who talked me into actually going to Ireland: Mark Geary. He was standing outside the theatre, hanging out (I wondered how many people didn't even realize it was him or that he would be on stage a few hours later presenting Josh with a special gift). We said we'd catch up later after the show, and on I went into the theater...

THE TIME HAD COME. But first...

THE SHOW.

Josh and Darius were cool enough to have me as one of their guests for these Ireland shows, and never before have I felt like a more welcomed one. In the States, making it to many shows, I often feel like I'm playing host: bringing new fans, working the merchandise table, taking pictures. But merely walking into the Olympia Theatre, I was in a whole new world.

Again, Josh's popularity in the States has not YET reached what it is in Ireland. I knew there would be over 1500 people there, but it didn't really hit me until I was there, among them. The atmosphere was ELECTRIC. I felt like an outsider - a "guest', while at the same time I felt perfectly "at home" with so many fellow Josh fans...

Erin [McKeown] and Emily (Erin's manager) outside the Olympia Theatre.

Emily, Sam Kassirer, and Erin before the show.

Erin singin', playin' her heart out..

Photo by Flora

Erin's set was appreciated, but this was a loud, boisterous crowd. I knew what was going to happen though, and it did: Erin had the audience in the palm of her hand by the end of her set.

Check out www.erinmckeown.com, and be sure to check her out live (she'll be playing with Josh and the band in the States). She's absolutely amazing..

Memorable Moment: Sam's (keyboards) parents were in attendance, and Josh made sure we all paid our respects...The spotlight found them and they got a warm, Dublin welcome.

JOSH RITTER AND HIS BAND!

To see Josh Ritter, Sam Kassirer, Zack Hickman, and Darius Zelkha perform on a stage in Ireland is one HELL of an experience. For an American fan like me, it's nothing short of SURREAL. The lights, the atmosphere, the screaming fans that know every word to every song... It is just awesome.

However, it was SO crowded and the fans were pressed SO close to the stage (the floor was a standing, general admission), that I found myself in the very back, against the wall. I could hear great and I was having a blast - trust me - but I really wanted to get a picture or two to preserve the moment. But I couldn't even see the stage. So I went off in search of the best - and only - view I could get of Josh and the boys...

While bumping around outside near the theatre's lobby, I noticed that a television monitor was showing the stage inside. I thought it'd be funny if I took a picture of it, knowing that this might be the only picture I get of the performance. But this is Ireland, so another ridiculously friendly lad - who happens to work there - approaches and wonders why I'm snapping a picture of the television. I say, "I flew all the way from the States to see my friends play, and this is the best picture I can get!" He shakes his head, says something to the extent of "Oh, that's shite", and motions me to follow him down some stairs, through a hall and up to the foot of the stage, where there is a special reserved section. I thank him profusely, but he just shakes his head, as if to say "C'mon - forget it - go on - enjoy."

I didn't feel right about it, though, so I just snapped off as many pics as I could before giving up my position to some other fans and handing out a few Live cd's to some screaming die-hards. The quality of the pics aren't great because of the crazy lighting going on, and I couldn't get pics of rock stars Zack and Darius...But I DID manage to capture a few special moments...

Another Memorable Moment: Erin joins Josh onstage for a gorgeous version of "Tonight You Belong to Me".

Then it was time to celebrate!

First up, though, was a singer/songwriter I absolutely counldn't wait to see: Erin McKeown, who was Josh's "support" for these Ireland shows. If you're not familiar with her yet, you don't know what you're missing...

ERIN MCKEOWN.

Not enough can be said about Erin McKeown, but here's a start: there aren't many singer/songwriters out there who play the guitar as well as she does, who have as sweet a voice as she does, or write songs better than Erin...She's better than most, in all each category (and I will find out over the course of the long weekend, there aren't many people as cool and as kind as she is either...).