Ray LaMontagne announced his first North American tour dates of 2009 today, starting April 2 at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ and ending April 30 in Miami, FL at The Fillmore at The Jackie Gleason Theater. The tour is LaMontagne’s second in support of his latest album Gossip In The Grain, which achieved the Maine singer-songwriter’s highest chart number, debuting at #3 on the Billboard Charts its week of release. The album was a huge digital sensation being the top selling album on iTunes that first week.
Fans will also be given the opportunity to buy front row seats and support charity through Tickets-for-Charity. A portion of each package purchased through their website will automatically benefit The National Children’s Cancer Society, while purchasers will be able to donate further proceeds to a wide variety of other charities.
Concert goers will be treated to a different show than they have seen in past years. Spin remarked in a review of a Radio City Music Hall show that the “…laughter, both by LaMontagne and the audience – was something new. His fresh style showcased both on his new album and in the performance Saturday, illustrated a near flawless transition from a front porch in Maine to the front of the most prestigious stage in the world.”
Rolling Stone raved about the album, and especially LaMontagne’s voice, saying that it was “full of the warm yearning of a young Van Morrison…”
Most reviews remarked on a more upbeat attitude and a new, looser, even more soulful sound than previous releases. That sound is epitomized on the Stax inspired horn-led first single, “You Are The Best Thing.”
Opening the shows will be Low Anthem for April 2-15, and Jessica Lea Mayfield for April 17-30.
Ray LaMontagne Tour Dates:
April 2 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
April 3 Pittsburgh, PA Palace Theater
April 4 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
April 6 Albany, NY The Egg
April 7 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre
April 8 New Haven, CT Schubert Theater
April 11 Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium
April 12 Burlington, VT Flynn Center For The Performing Arts
April 14 Montreal, QUE Metropolis
April 15 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
April 17 Cleveland, OH State Theatre
April 18 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
April 19 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Theatre
April 21 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
April 22 St. Louis, MO Pageant Theater
April 24 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
April 25 Louisville, KY Brown Theater
April 27 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre
April 28 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre
April 29 Tampa, FL Tampa Theatre
April 30 Miami, FL Fillmore @ Jackie Gleason
