(Photo by Ron Elkman)
[NOTE: The Week Ahead will run on Wednesday this week.]
Cutoff jeans and cowboy boots were everywhere on Saturday, August 13 for Brad Paisley’s Life Amplified World Tour in West Palm Beach.
The tour, which began in May, featured female duo Maddie & Tae, and Tyler Farr, along with headlined Paisley. Maddie & Tae kicked things off with a few favorites, including their well-known hit “Girl in a Country Song.” Just after 8 p.m., Tyler Farr started his set, which opened with “C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.” His guitar solo opening for “Whiskey in My Water” was promptly followed by a brand-new song, “Down Here.” He received much praise for his acoustic solo version of “Hello Goodbye,” and then ended his set a few songs later with “A Guy Walks into a Bar.”
Brad Paisley got on stage about 9:10 p.m. The crowd energy buzzed with anticipation, then burst into loud applause when the lights went dark, then returned, with Paisley front and center. Wearing his signature white cowboy hat, jeans and a black short-sleeved tee, Paisley started with “Crushin’ It,” which accurately foreshadowed the rest of the performance. The sound was clear and highlighted Paisley’s prowess on electric guitar.
He quickly segued into “American Saturday Night,” then “Water,” and “Online.” He slowed things down with “Perfect Storm,” which emphasized sound from both electric and acoustic guitars. Paisley made at least 10 guitar swaps during the entire set, both acoustic and electric, each a different color and style.
The sixth song in Paisley’s set was “Without a Fight,” featuring Demi Lovato. Released in May this year, the duet won the 2016 Teen Choice Award Choice Music — Country Song. Although Lovato was not at Perfect Vodka, her lifelike figure sang along on the video board beside Paisley, so it almost felt like she was present. Another crowd favorite was “Country Nation, ” which pays tribute to college football teams. Naturally, there were cheers (and boos) for the Seminoles, Hurricanes and Gators.
Paisley’s song lyric style is true to country music stereotypes: plenty of beer references and pride for the red, white and blue. But some of the story-like songs have a touch of literary greatness so subtle, if you blink, you’ll miss it.
Unlike some performers, Brad Paisley is extremely interactive with his fans. About halfway through the set, he gave one of the acoustic guitars he played to a little boy in the crowd, who smiled from ear to ear. When he played “I’m Still a Guy,” with Tyler Farr, Paisley borrowed a smartphone from the audience and took a few selfies with Farr before handing it back.
The biggest moment of the night was toward the end of the set. Paisley walked off stage, through the crowd, and climbed up onto a mini stage in the middle of the pavilion. As he started to play the opening notes of “Old Alabama,” he talked to the masses. Eventually, he invited two concert attendees, Connor and Callie, onstage with him. Connor proposed to Callie in front of the entire audience, she said yes, and then Paisley serenaded them with the last verse of the song.
He wrapped up the evening with “Southern Comfort Zone,” and “Mud on the Tires.” After minimal coaxing, he returned to the stage for an encore performance of “Alcohol.”
Overall, the entire performance was laid-back and easy going, just the way country music should be.
