Lethbridge welcomed back Ryland Moranz and his  band  with a full and enthusiastic audience at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, May 28.

 I missed the opening acts due to the closing night of Hatrix theatre‘s production of the Gazebo.

Ryland Moranz is always an endearing delight to watch in stage because he is so upbeat even after looking a little road weary after a long tour which ended in Lethbridge.

But Moranz, plus bassist Tyson Maiko and drummer Kyle Harmon were also tight from the road.

 It was a night of folky fun focussing on Moranz’s most recent album “XO 1945.”

I recognized several songs from that and plenty of others.

 He told a story about how all his friends are now having children and played a song about that.

 Moranz alternated between guitar, his beloved banjo and  mandolin for a classic folk love song.

 His banjo powered version of Fred Eaglesmith’s “Time To Get A Gun” was one of many highlights.

— by Richard Amery, L.A.Beat Editor