As a long time country music fan, when one of my favorite country artists Lainey Wilson announced she was doing her first headlining arena world tour, for her fifth-studio album, Whirlwind, I couldn’t have been more excited, and I knew I needed to go. In the past, Wilson has been nominated and won various awards such as Best Performer and Entertainer of the Year at award shows like the CMA’s and ACM’s multiple years in a row. So getting ready for and going into the concert, I had very high expectations for the show, and it definitely did not disappoint.
Lainey Wilson is most famously known for her songwriting and music, but she has also had her big break as a guest star in season five of Yellowstone, which really boosted her fanbase. Wilson has made a brand for herself as “The Queen of Bell-Bottom Country,” famously always wearing a cowgirl outfit with sparkles, fringe, and bell bottoms. Many other stars have shared how wholesome and “real” she is, not only as a star but as a person, which has helped make Lainey Wilson a household name.
One problem that many fans face with going to their favorite artists’ shows is not feeling a connection with the artist while they’re performing. Wilson definitely made sure this wasn’t an issue at all. She continuously included the fans into her songs and even brought a child onto stage and gave her a cowboy hat, as she does every night, calling it “The crowning of the Cowgirl of the Night.” Wilson even ran through the crowd in the middle of her set hugging and high-fiving fans. From when she began the performance with her album title track, “Whirlwind”, to ending the night with a fan favorite, “Heart like a Truck,” she kept her energy up and put on a show nobody will forget. This aspect of the concert really improved all the fans’ experiences, making them feel involved and into the concert from the first to the last song. However, the opening acts left much to be desired. This seemed to be a common theme with people who attended the concert. The opening acts weren’t popular names and didn’t play well-known music, so it lulled the audience to sleep. But by the time Wilson walked onto the stage, everyone was enthralled by her performance.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by the concert and I truly enjoyed every aspect of the show. The tour date I attended on November 7th in Tampa, Florida, was her second to last show for the tour, so she made sure to include her fans in many aspects of the concert, and expressed to her fans how much they meant to her, on many different occasions. She curated a perfect mix of fan favorites into a two-hour show that had amazing lights, visuals, and sound that set her apart from other artists. She had many sets that created an intimate setting. For example, for her song, “Things a Man Outta Know,” Wilson was surrounded by her band, sitting at the edge of the stage on benches that created a setting as if they were singing around a campfire. This had to be my favorite part of the show. Wilson has such a moving voice and genuine character that brought fans to tears during her slower and sad songs. Her care for her art, fans, and the execution of the show, really leveled up the overall experience and changed my view on the other concerts I have attended. I would genuinely recommend listening to Lainey Wilson, and next time she’s on tour, being a part of the crowd!
