Tift Merritt Tickets

I love her music and was somewhat disappointed in her concert. She was in a small hall and the music was extremely LOUD to the point of having to cover my ears to listen. When someone in the crowd asked her to turn down the volume she said "we can't afford a sound man" and continued on. She played familiar songs and has a wonderful voice but she brought two guitarist and drummer that drowned out her voice and her music on on the piano and accoustic guitar. The drummer was particularly annoying. The guy on the slide guitar was excellent. The warm up band was actually much better. I would have much prefered if Tift did the show solo just playing the piano and guitar. Oh well, glad I went but the music was not as good as on her CD's.

Tift Merritt put on a stellar show at the Ark. The band was just loose enough to feel right, Tift was in fine form, and the audience, with the exception of one very lame and annoying heckler, was in complete sync with what was happening on stage. Tift and company provided beautiful music, great chemistry, and exceptional band dynamics that kept the audience interested and engaged. In addition, her warm, human, and friendly persona at the meet and greet after the show made for a memorable evening. I have been waiting for three years to see her live and this show was definitely worth the wait.

Tift and the band were right on as always. The songs that Tift performed from Her new CD came accross with a lot more energy and bite than on the CD itself. Standards such as Broken and Stray Paper are always outstanding. I can't say enough about what a remarkable rhythm guitar player Tift is. The band was very tight and Zeke was banging away like Charlie Watts. Truly a GREAT show!

An undersold show that might have been low energy with a less talented, professional, and engaging group of musicians on stage. Great energy from the very beginning; they enjoy playing together; and Tift has a voice that goes from Memphis Blues achey to pure and sweet melody without skipping a beat. Highlights: an unamplified acoustic solo on Keep You Happy-- the entire audience crowded close to the stage to hear every note and she had us in the palm of her hand. Good Hearted Man on piano-- again solo-- was a tour de force. Highly recc'd-- this artist deserves greater recognition for her voice and song-writing chops and a much wider following...especially north of the Mason-Dixon!

The previous times I saw Tift, she was solo acoustic and wonderful. With her full band at The Hiro Ballroom, she really showed she can also rock out. What a great, passionate performance with her top notch band.

Tift Merritt is a gifted songwriter and has a beautiful voice. Her drummer/husband is amazing, as are her guitarist/pedal steel player and bass player. They all look as if they are having a wonderful time up on stage--particularly Tift--she is an energetic and charismatic performer, though she was fairly restrained at the Birchmere (apparently she had a cold, though you couldn't tell it by her singing voice). The band, however, is far too loud for Tift's often-whispery voice. The boys need to back off on the testosterone-loaded play and let her sing. Perhaps it was the sound-person's fault, but the pedal steel was so loud I had to put my fingers in my ears! In addition, over the years her penchant for letting her voice trail off at the end of the words has apparently taken over her desire to have her audience hear/understand her songs--which is a shame, because they are very much worth understanding.

As always, Tift and her band were great! We really enjoy the new CD and the show was amazing. You can't go wrong with a Tift Merritt concert! Hard to sit still in our seats!

Tift is a gifted singer and songwriter. Unfortunately, the band overpowered her. The show was best when she was solo.

Tift concentrated on her new album, singing and performing very gamely despite a headcold (one of the hazards of whistle-stop touring, I guess). She sang with great fervor and feeling. Band provided able support, especially the pedal steel guitarist.

I saw Tift Merritt in 2008 at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and can honestly say it was one of the best shows I have ever been to. The venue was small enough so that she and her band members were able to harmonize a cappella, which they did on a few songs. Tift is totally mesmerizing live! I highly suggest seeing her live if you can!