UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) will present ASC favorite Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2013. A second performance later in the evening will be added if the 7 p.m. show sells out.
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Contemporary folk duo The Milk Carton Kids, praised by critics and fans for its vocals and harmonies, will open for Ritter. Concertgoers at the ASC may enjoy beverages inside the show with special ASC Theatre cups. Tickets are $34.50.
Idaho-born singer-songwriter and author Ritter last visited the ASC in June 2011 for a sold-out performance. He released in March his sixth full-length album, “The Beast in Its Tracks,” which debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums. NPR Music calls the album “gorgeous and glorious.” Ritter & The Royal City Band will soon set off on a North American tour in celebration of the new release. With Ritter on lead vocals and guitar, the Royal City Band is Zack Hickman on bass, guitar, tuba and strings; Sam Kassirer on piano, keyboards, organ and accordion; Austin Nevins on guitar, lap steel and baritone; and Liam Hurley on drums and percussion.
Entertainment Weekly has named Ritter one of the 10 Most Exciting Artists Now, while Paste magazine lists him among its 100 Best Living Songwriters. Paste declared, “Put simply, Ritter is the most gifted interpreter of Americana, as an arranger and a lyricist, working today.”
The ASC’s new Renasant Bank Summer Series also includes the curated event ASC Note Market, Susan Werner and her “Hayseed Project” album, Lyle Lovett, The Black Jacket Symphony and cellist Cicely Parnas. Tickets are on sale now. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.alysstephens.org.