With little introduction, Ray LaMontagne and bassist John Stirratt took the stage and calmly began playing. 

Yet, LaMontagne’s rough and commanding voice was enough to incite cheers and create excitement in the auditorium. 

 LaMontagne passed through Stephens Auditorium Friday night on his “Just Passing Through” tour bringing his Grammy-winning folk rock ballads in tow.

LaMontagne didn’t face out toward the audience, he played to his side enveloped in the lighting and clouds projected behind him. He didn’t speak until a good portion into his set and when he did, it was soft spoken and short. 

However, he performed with deep emotion and character. In some moments, it sounded as if LaMontagne used all the strength in his body to push out a sharp and raspy lyric.

Even with just an acoustic guitar, an electric bass, and the occasional harmonica as the only instruments in play, LaMontagne hit a range of styles — country, folk, blues, rock and even undertones of grudge. 

LaMontagne‘s voice was a perfect medium to push these sounds through as he was able to create a thin and gentle atmosphere while channeling grit and roughness.

John Stirratt, of Wilco, on bass provided warmth to the set, LaMontagne even carving out sections for Stirratt to break into a bluesy solo. As a duo, LaMontagne and Stirratt display a level of focus and a connection to music with their instruments that is intense to witness.

Throughout the 90-minute performance fans continuously called out for their personal LaMontagne favorite.

LaMontagne was so in tune with his own sound and carefully pieced together setlist to mind. He showed Stephens Auditorium not just a piece of an artist, but rather his true self.

Opening act Liza Anne traded in a full band for just a guitar and microphone for her intimate and sullen performance. 

In a dark auditorium with the spotlight on her, Anne performed songs written when she was 19 years old. She said performing these songs five years after they were written gives her a chance to come face-to-face with what they mean for her now. 

Without her full band performing, Anne was able to take step back and digest the songs in a new way as well.

Anne joked to the audience that she writes her songs about past mistakes in hopes of never making them again, but she keeps writing about the same thing. Self-deprecating humor was a signature in her set, introducing her songs with blunt comments on their emotional themes to audience laughter.