Even though most college students are wrapping up relaxing summers in their hometowns, phenomenal concerts are still a constant here in Music City. On Aug. 9, Chris Stapleton, Nikki Lane and Marty Stuart gave me a summer concert experience that made staying in Nashville worth it.
Avoiding the horrendous traffic on a Friday night in downtown Nashville, I made sure to grab my seat early. I was more than eager for the first opener, Lane, to take the stage. Donning an all-black outfit and bedazzled cowboy hat, the Nashville native’s exhilarating rock ‘n’ roll themes continued her entire country set. Songs like “Highway Queen” and “Denim and Diamonds” simultaneously gave the crowd energy and lent a sense of empowerment to women in the room.
If rock ‘n’ roll isn’t really your thing, the next opener might have been more your style. Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives took Nashville back to its roots with music reminiscent of artists like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Arriving on stage in neon, bedazzled suits, they gave us songs like “Hillbilly Rock” and “Tomahawk” as classic country lovers all over the arena jumped and danced along.
Shortly after the openers, the lights dimmed as the band played an opening tune, and Stapleton took the stage. The former Vanderbilt student started off strong with Grammy-winning “White Horse” from his most recent album, “Higher.” Following the energy of the popular song, he continued with “Nobody to Blame” and “Second One to Know.”
Stapleton’s one and only backup singer is his wife, Morgane Stapleton, who he introduced during his set as the “love of his life.” In the next song of the set, “Millionaire,” Stapleton and his wife faced each other on stage, singing the heartwarming lyrics, “Love is more precious than gold.” As the song concluded, I felt my heart swell as the camera panned to show a large “M” engraved on his guitar.
After six more songs, Stapleton switched the vibe of the concert, letting his band leave the stage and opting for an acoustic guitar. The opening notes of “What Are You Listening To?” rang out as Stapleton stood alone on the stage. A personal favorite of mine, the song uses light notes and beautiful chords to tell the story of thinking about someone after a relationship has ended.
Continuing the acoustic set, his wife joined Stapleton on stage as he described his time in a band, The SteelDrivers, before going solo. Before playing a song from his previous band, “Where Rainbows Never Die,” he explained that his bandmate, Mike Henderson, is no longer with him and he would “like to play this for him.”
Bringing the energy back to Bridgestone Arena, Stapleton invited his band back on stage to play high-energy hits like “Arkansas” and “Parachute.” After waiting patiently all night, I jumped excitedly when he followed these songs with the opening chords of “Starting Over,” a song I repeatedly play on my road trips home. Eyes glued to the stage, I sang along as Stapleton described the possibilities of a fresh start. He brought us right back to the love on stage after by playing a cover of “Joy of My Life.”
Of course, Stapleton finished out with several fan favorites I can’t leave out. Hits like “You Should Probably Leave,” “Traveller,” “Fire Away” and “Broken Halos” filled the last half of the concert. The official ending of the setlist was no other song than the famous “Tennessee Whiskey,” where he let the crowd take over on pieces of the chorus. After leaving just briefly, Stapleton came back to play two songs in his encore — “Whiskey & You” and “Outlaw State of Mind.”
With the dread of impending school lectures and future exams on my mind, Stapleton’s performance felt like a blanket of calm, even with all the excitement and noise of Bridgestone Arena. So for all who enjoy bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll or classic country, you are sure to enjoy the “All-American Road Tour.”
