By Mike McKenney, Rock At Night New England
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena- Uncaseville, Connecticut- Friday February 23, 2018 – Openers – Kacey Musgraves Midland
Little Big Towns “Breakers Tour” turned Mohegan Sun Arena into a Country Fest Friday night with Midland starting things off on a special rotating stage “B” placed midway on the arena floor. Dressed in old time Country duds, Mark Wystrach (lead vocals), Cameron Duddy (bass guitar, background vocals), and Jess Carson (lead guitar, background vocals), set the tone as fans filtered in to “Check Cashin’ Country”, This Old Heart”, and Make a Little”. By the time Midland spun around to their hit “Drinkin Problem”, the stands were filled with a singing crowd.
As Midland finished their set on stage “B”, 29 year old Kacey Musgraves appeared on the main stage in a more elegant setting complete with huge draped curtains and simplistic instrument arrangement reminiscent of a 1940’s arrangement.
While Kacey’s humorous wordplay was on evident on hits “Merry Go ‘Round” and “Follow Your Arrow”, she demonstrated a more sophisticated use of her unique songwriting skills with new songs “Wonder Woman” and “Space Cowboy”, ( “Sunsets fade and love does too / Yeah, we had our day in the sun / When a horse wants to run ain’t no sense in closing the gate / So you can have your space, cowboy,”)
Opening with a tribute to Sir Elton John, Little Big Town vocalists Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, along with vocalists/ guitarists Jimi Westbrook and Philip Sweet have perfected their craft to a place no other band of artists (country or otherwise) have been.
With seemingly every song a huge fan favorite, LBT pleased the crowd with their pitch perfect voices. From their number one hit “Pontoon”, to chart busters “Little White Church”, and ”Boondocks”, Little Big town was full of energy and their performance crisp.
Blending Country sounds with complimentary harmonies are what Little Big Town famous for, but they are not afraid to stray into over the lines performing “Girl Crush”, “Better Man”, and even a tease of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” However it was when they walked down through the crowd (acknowledging fans with handshakes, high fives and selfies all the way), to the intimate stage “B”, and sang “Sober” ,“Your Side Of the Bed”, along with a most poignant version of the late great Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” , that brought the genius of Little Big Town to their highest level.
Kacey Musgraves “Golden Hour” is due to release on March 30 Little Big Town latest release “The Breaker” is available now
Photo Gallery
Videos
Mike McKenney is an award winning professional photographer and current New England Correspondent for Rock At Night magazine.
With his years of experience and passion for Concert Photography, Mike has photographed many of the famous acts in the world today.
Rock Icons such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews, and Fleetwood Mac along with Country artist Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney,and Jason Aldean have all appeared before Mike’s camera.
"My goal is always to present the experience truthfully so fans can feel the energy and emotions the Artists convey. It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to be allowed to create art while blending my two passions, music and photography”
- Micky Dolenz performs timeless classics to sold-out crowd at Greenwich Odeum - March 27, 2024
- Disturbed’s ‘Take Back Your Life’ Tour Electrifies the Mohegan Sun Arena - February 12, 2024
- Brit Floyd “Shines On” Brilliantly at The Vets! - April 20, 2023
