Keith Urban performs at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
Keith Urban reminded Nashville of why he’s one of the best entertainers in country music on Friday (Oct. 7) when his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” hit its Bridgestone Arena stop.
Ingrid Andress opened the show. Her set included her breakout hit “More Hearts Than Mine,” songs from her new record Good Person, and a surprise visit from Sam Hunt to perform their collaboration “Wishful Drinking.”
Tyler Hubbard was up next in the bill. He performed songs from his new solo record, such as “Baby Gets Her Lovin’,” “35’s,” “5 Foot 9” and “Dancin’ in the Country.” He also thrilled fans with some FGL material like “Cruise” and “Meant to Be.”
When Urban took the stage, he came out with the loud and energized “Tumbleweed.” It was the beginning of a near 30-song marathon of which Urban never tired of. He went straight into his 2004 hit “Days Go By” before addressing the hometown crowd.
“This is a special night tonight because we’re in Nashville, and we always do things a little different in Nashville,” Urban said. He let the crowd know that theme for the night was “Broadway To The Big Time.”
“A lot of artists in this very town got their start right down there on lower Broadway,” he said. “They’re doing it right now. They’re playing night after night for hours. We did it too.” He then showed a clip of him and his former band The Ranch playing at a club on Nolensville Road in 1997.
Keith Urban and Kayley Green perform at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
Later in the night, Urban invited one of Broadway’s talented singers, Kayley Green, to the stage. The bubbly blonde singer gave a hair-raising performance of Martina McBride‘s “Independence Day” before the two sang the Urban-Miranda Lambert duet “We Were Us,” making for one of the best moments of the night.
Green grasped at her heart and beamed at the packed arena as she performed–and she sounded incredible.
Urban’s show was full of hits flanked with special, intimate moments that seemed custom for a Nashville show. One special moment came when Urban noticed a sign in the back of the audience that said “I skipped school for you.” He invited the young girl holding the sign up to join him on stage for a photo.
The highly skilled performer relished in the crowd sing-a-long moments, such as “Wild Hearts,” “Kiss a Girl,” “Long Hot Summer,” and “Somewhere In My Car.” He smiled at fans raising their hands and voices in a transcendent energy exchange.
Keith Urban tributes Loretta Lynn. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
In an intimate moment, Urban honored the late Loretta Lynn. “This week we watched one of our honky tonk angels ascend,” he said before playing acoustic versions of “Blue Kentucky Girl” and “You’re Looking at Country.” Photos of the country legend lit up the otherwise dark stage.
In a highlight of the night, Urban invited out country superstar Luke Combs. He did a rendition of his “When It Rains It Pours” with Urban singing along and playing acoustic guitar. Combs then filled in for Eric Church on his and Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up.”
When Urban made his way to a small satellite stage at the back of the venue, it came as no surprise that he wanted to get closer to the audience. He made himself very acquainted with the faces in the crowd, responding to people’s hoots and hollers and beaming with pride when the audience sang and danced along.
On the small stage, Urban performed a snippet of John Denver‘s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with his acoustic guitar, as well as “Better Life” and “You’ll Think of Me.” Before he left to go back to the main stage, he signed and handed the guitar to a fan.
When Urban returned for his final few songs, he kicked it off with “Somebody Like You,” complete with a few verses of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which got some giggles out of him and the band. He then blitzed fans with hits, playing “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “The Fighter” and “Wasted Time,” before closing the show with “Stupid Boy” for the encore.
Urban brings his top-notch show to Savannah, Georgia’s Enmarket Arena on Thursday (Oct. 13).
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