Lady Antebellum Own the Night in Nashville to Close You Look Good Tour
For Lady Antebellum, there was no better place to close out the U.S. leg of their You Look Good World Tour than at home in Nashville.
The trio performed at the Bridgestone Arena in Music City on Saturday night (Sept. 9) in support of their current album, Heart Break, and it was a full circle moment of sorts, allowing the longtime band to say thank you to the city that helped bring their dreams to life. There was never a dull moment in the fervent, nearly two-hour set, with the band thrilling fans with their multitude of hits and adding a touch of poignancy with their own solo numbers. Though the band went on a year-long break, they've not only come back together refreshed, but still with the same bond and passion that has earned them loyal fans since day one.
Standout numbers came in the form of the rocking "Own the Night," sweet "I Run to You" and electrifying "You Look Good," which breathed new life into their sound with the presence of a 20+-member horn section composed of students from the Nashville School of the Arts. But their authenticity and love for music -- and each other -- was brought to light in full during a point in the show where they performed their own music created during their break. They didn't just perform the songs, they felt them.
Hillary Scott brought the audience to a standstill with the stirring "Thy Will," with lovely harmonies from Charles Kelley, who told the crowd that when he first heard the song, he said the tour wouldn't be complete without her performance of the powerful track. Kelley also brought the house down with the moving "Leaving Nashville" off his solo project The Driver. The intimate moment in the set made way for the close-knit trio to reflect on their whirlwind career, reminiscing about the days when music was a passion they were hungry to turn into a career.
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When most bands say they're "taking a break," more often than not they never reunite or if they do, it's never quite the same. Lady A defied those odds, which they proved as they clearly savored every moment watching one another in awe as they performed their own musical creations. Nothing could've proven that more than when Kelley thanked his best friend and bandmate Dave Haywood for answering his call to make the journey to Nashville many years ago and make music together before embracing in a very genuine hug.
And when Haywood's eyes welled with tears, thanking Kelley and calling him and Scott two of his "favorite people in the world," the crowd became equally emotional, as their authenticity could be felt all the way to the rafters. It's the type of moment one can only hope to witness and is a true reflection of their love and staying power.
Taste of Country RISERS artist Brett Young and rising star Kelsea Ballerini added lively and unique sets to the already stellar show. Ballerini is quickly becoming a superstar in her own right, owning her stage presence that is equal parts energetic, expressive and polished. Her new music took center stage during her strong 45-minute opening set, with her voice shining on the clever "I Hate Love Songs" and "Unapologetically," blowing the audience away with a brief, yet powerful rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" at the end of the latter.
The young singer has a special way of bonding with fans, often getting down to their level and singing directly to them while genuinely enjoying every moment. If she continues on this path of authenticity blended with expert showmanship, she could very well find herself headlining her own stadium shows.
The momentous event came to a fitting and impassioned close with a full crowd sing-along to Lady A's massive hit, "Need You Now," which propelled them into superstardom after its 2009 release. Not a beat was skipped as the trio tugged at the heartstrings with their powerful vocals, with the audience of thousands filling the arena with their voices when the mic was turned to them to sing the chorus. Based on the thrilled and sincerely appreciative looks on all of their faces at the end of the night, it's clear that even for a group as prominent as Lady Antebellum, there is truly no place like home.
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