Little Big Town – Santander Arena – Reading, PA – March 2, 2018 – Photo by Danielle Speiss © 2018
Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves & Midland – Santander Arena – Reading, PA – March 2, 2018
Little Big Town hits the little big town.
Three-time GRAMMY winners Little Big Town played for a packed house on Friday night at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. A fierce Nor’easter did not stop the many die-hard fans traveling from far and wide to attend the sold-out show. The fans were here to see their idols grace the stage for their headlining Breakers Tour. And grace it they did!
Little Big Town hit the stage after two opening acts. First up was Midland, a retro country music group of three guys from Texas who braved a harrowing flight to be there. They played a short set on a smaller rotating platform set in the center of the arena. They had no shortage of fans gathered around singing along.
Next up was Kacey Musgraves, who played a full set on the main stage. Her production was a simple and elegant feast for the eyes. She was dressed tastefully, in a long red kaftan with matching pants and a big rhinestone headband. Her musicians were also dressed tastefully in light-colored suits that blended with the giant ruched-curtain backdrop.
With the dim mood lighting, the ambiance was refreshingly more opera house than country music concert. The only thing that slightly altered that mood and ventured into PG territory was when Kacey admitted to being on “the struggle bus” due to a tequila hang over. TMI…, We would not have known otherwise. Her voice was perfect, and she was lovely to watch as she sang all her hits and two new ones: “Space Cowboy” and “Butterflies.” Both are sure to make the charts.
Now for the headliners! Little Big Town surprised their audience by opening with Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” It was a great rendition; and how could it not be with the vocal talent of this quartet? Their unique four-part harmony producing a wonderful mix is what sets them apart from their peers. Even if you don’t like the song, you can still like how it sounds when they sing it. That’s talent. Furthermore, since they are all capable of a solid solo performance, they each alternate lead vocals throughout the concert.
Their entire show was set against giant video screens (think IMAX), where we in the audience were completely immersed in them with their music. While video behind performers may sound pretty basic, this was anything but. It was powerful, moving, beautiful…, it was a journey of emotions that added to the effect of Little Big Town as they entertained us with song.
For one of the songs, the video was a sentimental collection of intimate photos and clips of their lives together over the years. It made me a bit teary eyed watching them age. It was a somber reminder that father time spares no one. For other songs, I felt like I was on a virtual reality ride at Disneyland. During “Drivin’ Around,” I think I really was on the highway aboard that Magic Bus. And during “Rocket Man,” I truly was floating in space amongst the shooting stars and asteroids. Or was I? And for “Pontoon”… well, that was a fun ride too.
LBT performed all their hits, including “Better Man,” “Girl Crush” and “Pontoon,” all of which garnered them a GRAMMY for Best Country Duo/Group over the years. Mid-show, they honored the late Glen Campbell with a stripped-down version (no video for this one) of his “Wichita Lineman,” akin to their CMA tribute in November.
Speaking of “Girl Crush,” I now have a girl crush. I want Karen’s super cute boots, I want Kimberly’s blonde locks and her infectious smile… because they get to be with Jimi and Phillip… as the song kind of goes. But seriously, this is a well-dressed, nice-looking bunch of people who still look fresh and are nicely combating the elements of time over their 20-year history. They are as enjoyable to watch as they are to listen too.
This was a great concert with music and a giant screen that kept us entranced for the entire show.
The little big town of Reading was lucky to be one of the 26 stops for this awesome tour. If you missed them on this tour you can still catch them live somewhere this summer, as they co-headline a tour with Miranda Lambert.
Danielle Speiss
Copyright ©2018 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: March 4, 2018.
Photo by Danielle Speiss © 2018
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