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| Josh Ritter performing at Penn's Landing, supporting British band Keane; photos by Doug Rice, on the Josh Ritter Fansite. Zack Hickman. Doug Rice's Josh Ritter Fansite. |
| Date: Friday June 3, 2005 Venue: "Festival Pier" at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, PA The Big Deal: I know, I know: it keeps me up nights, but: Josh's popularity in the States has not yet reached the level it has in Ireland. So when Josh got the opportunity to open for Keane - a British band that is really taking off everywhere - it meant bigger stage, bigger audience. Hell, even bigger catering. But a real chance to get the music to a lot more ears... Review: This had all the makings of an amazing night of music, being played to a huuuuuge enthusiastic audience. Until Mother Nature interfered... |
| Josh and the band were to open the night; artist Regina Spektor would follow, and the popular British band Keane would headline. Festival Pier is a great waterfront space with a huge stage and plenty of room for fans. But things weren't looking good from the beginning: it started raining early in the day, and would NOT stop. In fact, it only got worse. |
| It rained and rained, then it rained harder. It was a mess. Backstage, it was a waiting game. We went to catering, the setlist was done, I organized the merchandise and got it set up at the vendor's tent. But then decisions were made. Regina Spektor - who was to go on after Josh - cancelled; Josh and Keane would not be able to soundcheck (the stage was saturated); only a fraction of the expected audience seemed to be braving the horrible weather. The officials considered cancelling the entire concert. Then it was decided that Josh would go on, but acoustic and without the band. I'd like to think it was Josh to the rescue, with a "the show must go on!" attitude. A bummer about the band, but understandable considering the weather conditions. |
| Rain soaked fans start to gather... |
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| The show DID go on, with Josh taking the stage to warm up the crowd, mostly appreciative Keane fans. Despite all the forces working against the concert, Josh quickly kicked into some Ritter classics, that instantly grabbed the die-hard audience, dying to hear some good live music in the pouring rain. First few songs included "Harrisburg" and "Snow is Gone". But the rain started to come down at an angle - right into Josh, at the front of the stage, belting out his songs. After four or five songs, Josh had to get off the stage, but not without a rousing rendition of "Kathleen". It was a short but sweet set that may not have happened at all. And though it was short, it was pure rock and roll that Josh went out there, solo, plugged in under the pouring rain. And it was very cool to see him on such a big stage, in a big US city, playing to a potentially huge, young audience. After a long delay and the rain letting up a little, Keane DID take the stage and give the fans more of what they were there for: great music, no matter what the weather... |
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| [All photos by Doug Rice] |
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| > Josh Ritter Fansite > Features > June 2005 Shows > Penn's Landing |
| The Big Show that Almost Wasn't |
| Photos |
| June 2005 Entry > Introduction > Brooklyn > Philadelphia > Boston > New York > Pittsburgh > Knoxville > Bonnaroo |
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