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Ray LaMontagne in Columbus

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Ray LaMontagne
Mershon Auditorium — Columbus, OH
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About Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne is a self-taught singer-songwriter from rural Maine who emerged in the mid-2000s with a weathered, soulful voice that sounded like it had already lived three lifetimes. His 2004 debut Trouble introduced listeners to his slow-burn approach to songwriting and his knack for turning small domestic moments into something approaching the universal. He's never been precious about his craft—his songs often meander, built on fingerpicked guitar and the kind of arrangements that let silence do half the work. LaMontagne's drawn equally from folk traditions and soul music without really fitting into either camp neatly. He's also frustratingly private, rarely giving interviews, which only reinforces the sense that his music speaks louder than he cares to. His records have been steady sellers without ever quite breaking into the mainstream in a way that seemed inevitable early on, which feels about right for someone so resistant to easy categorization.

Shows are hushed and introspective. Audiences lean in rather than cheer. LaMontagne doesn't build elaborate stage presence—just stands there with a guitar and that raw voice. People get quiet. Really quiet. His guitar work carries everything.

Known for Trouble, Gossip in the Grain, Falling, Such a Simple Thing, Bitch Did You See My Cloud

Ray LaMontagne + Columbus

Ray LaMontagne last visited Columbus in November 2017 at the Palace Theatre, delivering a setlist that balanced his more introspective material with deeper cuts. He opened with 'No Other Way' and worked through a mix of fan favorites and album tracks—'Lavender,' 'Shelter,' and 'Burn' sat comfortably alongside less obvious choices like 'Blue Canadian Rockies' and 'Like Rock & Roll and Radio.' The show hit its stride in the latter half, moving through 'Trouble' and a cover of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' before closing with 'Wouldn't It Make a Lovely Photograph.' It was a solid evening of his particular brand of soulful, understated folk-soul.

Ray LaMontagne in Columbus News

Live Music in Columbus

Columbus has always had a soft spot for the kind of introspective, roots-oriented music LaMontagne makes. The city's indie and folk scenes have developed a taste for artists who favor restraint and emotional honesty over flash—the same qualities that define LaMontagne's work. Venues like the Palace Theatre have historically drawn singer-songwriters and folk acts who appeal to listeners seeking substance and craft over spectacle.

Columbus road trip to see Ray LaMontagne?

Stay in German Village, where the restored brick townhouses and tree-lined streets feel like an actual neighborhood rather than a tourist zone. Dinner at Harvest Bistro on High Street for refined American food done without fuss. Spend the afternoon at the Columbus Museum of Art, then walk through the Short North corridor—the gallery district has real energy without feeling manufactured. Catch the show at Nationwide Arena, then grab drinks at Drinkery in German Village for something low-key.

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