Disappointed
by R. B. on 11/10/19Ryman Auditorium - NashvilleRating: 3 out of 5The venue was great as usual but was disappointed Shovels and Ropes music selections for that evening. I just wasn't what we had expected.

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Husband and wife duo Shovels & Rope possess an undeniable chemistry that they bring to the stage with them every time they perform. Their stylish brand of alt-country incorporates elements of rock, folk, and even punk, and their eclectic live shows bring it all to life as they belt out songs like "Birmingham" and "The Devil Is All Around" in perfect harmony. Equal parts anthemic and heart-rending,Ā Shovel & Rope's passionate performances never fail to get ticket buyers grooving on the duo's must-see tours.
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BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Shovels & Rope is Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, two South Carolina-based musicians who began collaborating in 2008 on what was intended to be a one-off album titled Shovels & Rope. The duo quickly realized they had both musical and personal chemistry, and in 2009 they were married.Ā They made their sophomore outing as Shovels & Rope in 2012 with O' Be Joyful, an impressive slice of country folk that topped Billboard's Heatseekers Albums Chart and earned them the title of Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2013 Americana Music Honors & Awards.Ā Shovels & Rope continued to delight in 2014 with their third album Swimmin' Time, following up the release with a series of rousing performances on the road.
FANS WHO BOUGHT TICKETS SAY:
"Shovels and Rope was amazing. Their love and connection informs their amazing chemistry on stage. Highly recommend seeing them live!"
"Cary Ann and Michael are fantastic! With only two people, they have an undeniably full sound. Their chemistry on stage makes for a tight, highly energetic live show that pushes the rock-country envelope."
"One of the best shows I have seen in years! If you haven't seen them yet you are missing out!"
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The venue was great as usual but was disappointed Shovels and Ropes music selections for that evening. I just wasn't what we had expected.
Show great and Hayes Carll who opened up was amazing, too! Seats were great thru Ticketmaster.
So I was excited to finally be going to the Ryman as I had grown up with country music. But shovels and Rope were not what I was hoping for at all. Not our kind of music at all. So disappointing to finally make it to the Ryman and then to have to endure this NOISE. We were with a group of 8 and we all got up and left. Wish we could have asked for a refund. šØ
The first act was great. The main act was so loud we left early. You couldnāt understand the words they were singing. Very disappointed!
Ryman 11/06/19. Great show! Love their music, enthusiasm, talent. Only complaint was the sound... Hayes Carll sound was very clear, understood every word he sang/spoke. S & R had something in the low frequencies muddying the vocals when drums, keyboard was playing. On quieter sections, vocals were clear and wonderful. Also my opinion in a couple spots the light show distracted from the music. Saw them in Chicago outside in daylight & was mesmerized! Although this show was excellent, not quite as good sound.
The band was good, but the sound mix was awful. Way too much bass (bass drum, bass notes of keyboard), and not enough of the guitar and vocals.
The Fillmore is a great place with a great staff, but this particular show by Shovels and Rope was a disappointment. They've added a keyboard bass to their sound, and it really ruined it. It was so loud it overwhelmed all other sound, and I could barely hear vocals, mandolin or anything else. It was like being inside a bass speaker, with my whole body vibrating and ears totally overwhelmed by bass notes. I thought it might be better by stepping away from the stage and standing further back, but it was still bad further back. We left the show early, and this was the worst Shovels and Rope show we have ever seen, and we have seen them a number of times. Lose the keyboard bass, or turn it way down!
Shovels and Rope is an amazing band and the best kept secret in music. Go see them, their live performances are even better than their recordings. Their talent and energy are unsurpassed.
This was my first experience with Shovels and Rope. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Husband and wife duo Michael and Cary Ann make a great team and quite a folksy, rockin', punky, soulful little band. I can't recommend them enough, if you have a chance to see them live, it's a must for a loud, great, feel good time!
Ive seen these guys before and it was amazing! Not so much this time. Only show ive ever been to in my 33 years where i wanted to browse online. Super boring. Many missed notes and awkward silences between songs.
Loved the I'm with Her portion...they are fabulous...very mellow and great harmonies. HATED the Shovels and Rope portion. Way too loud bass drum and other instruments. Vocals had to scream over the noise. We left after 3 songs. Glad they were the second act. Seems like the two groups did not belong on the same ticket.
"I'm With Her," trio comprised of Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins, and Aoife O'Donovan, had the best vocal harmonies of the year. I was sitting orchestra center Row A, 107 so near dead center. The level of the instrumentals was excellent and all enjoyed when Sarah Jarosz put on the banjo and also mandolin. Sara Watkins was more than assertive on the violin - when all 3 "crowded around the mic" to finish, it looked like Aoife was having to move her head to dodge the violin bow at times. I loved their portion of the show and thankfully Ashley Capps (or someone) appropriately placed them first on the double bill. "Shovels & Rope" was another matter. Their choice of first song and how they played so loudly was a striking contrast to "I'm With Her." I had heard "Shovels & Rope" on the radio and thought they had talent and could "break through and make it" (if they stayed together, unlike some like the "Civil Wars"). I stayed through part of a second song to see if the volume would moderate but as it did not, I chose to try standing at the back, but ultimately leaving the theater before the end of that second song --- in some measure to protect my hearing - and I had seen several others head out from the front rows when "Shovels & Rope" first began playing. I don't think all these folks had another appointment to get to. I find it regrettable to pay something like $80 for a front row ticket and to not be comfortable to stay (in the seat I paid for) for the entire show. Again I wish to thank Ashley Capps or someone for placing "I'm With Her" first on the double bill. It would have been a sort of agony to have a front row seat and have one's hearing assaulted / be deadened or deafened with the "Shovels & Rope" volume for half a show and then not to be able to fully enjoy the beautiful and delicate vocal harmonies and instrumentals of "I'm With Her."
We actually came to see "I'm With Her." Sarah Watkins of course was an original member of Nickel Creek and we've been fans of hers for many years. Naturally, anything Sarah does we want to see her and listen. Sarah Jarosz is equally talented! Her harmonies with the other ladies is unmatched. Aoife O'Donovan rounds out the trio of ladies. Their voices together, their instruments and harmonies make them one of our top favorite bands! Would love to have listened more to them. We were not familiar with Shovels and Rope and did not stay for their show. Their brand, whilst good, was not music we wanted to hear more of.
Almost a whole show of new material was disappointing. Sound quality was terrible. ONly saving grace was "I'm With Her" who opened and were outstanding.
Saw Shovels and Rope at the Ryman maybe two years ago and they were fine. Last Friday was a constant drone to the point that we left and I NEVER leave a show early. And we weren't alone. Sad because the opening act was excellent. The voice and instrument blend of I'm With Her is perfection.
Tennessee Theatre is beautiful! The Iām With Her ladies have amazing voices and are enjoyable to listen to. Shovels and Rope always rock the house! Love them
Great show with energetic band. The Tennessee Theatre is a beautiful facility, but the security and ushers are too aggressive about cell phone use and the beer selection is absolutely horrible. The also will only fill the cups to an inch of the top. Iāll be going to shows at the Knox Bijou from now on.
I was not familiar with I'm With Her, but am now a fan. Their harmonies are killer. Shovels and Rope are a blast. It's been 3 years since I had seen them and I had not listened to their last 2 albums so I was a bit surprised by their more rock sound. Reminded me a lot of one of my favorites, Sirsy. Venue is also very nice.
Caveat. I adore I'm With Her who opened for Shovels and Rope. So i basically bought the ticket to see them. Boy, did I get a twofer on this one! Absolutely AMAZING. At on point both the members of SAR were playing THREE freaking instruments at the same time!!!!!!!! They flat ass blew a fat little old man out of his 2nd row seat and into the balcony!!!!!! The Tivoli (Sorry Atlanta oh city of my birth, but this venue beats the snot out of the Fox!!!) is always a joy to visit but this band did it proud! I waked out of there a BIG Shovels and Rope fan, which is a good thing! ROCK ON THIS SUMMER BROTHERS AND SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!
Great show , enjoyed the talent of Iām with her and the show shovel and ropes put on was just awesome !!