It was an unseasonably warm and sunshine filled day as we traveled to Columbus, Ohio to see Keith Urban. With the announcement of a new stage setup and set list, the night held great promise of a fantastic show.
We started our afternoon with a pre-party held right across the street from Nationwide Arena at the Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar. Our host, Joe Boxer, a local Dj with 92.3 WCOL, was absolutely perfect for getting an already pumped up crowd even more excited about that night's concert. In addition to playing lots of Keith's music, giving away backstage passes and front row seats, an added surprise was Keith actually calling in to the radio station and speaking with a very lucky group of fans that had traveled from all over the country and Canada to see the concert. The excitement was only beginning.
We made our way to the Arena and unfortunately was seated too late to give a full review of the evenings opening act, Miranda Lambert. What I did get to see however, I loved. She's a very energetic performer with great vocals and the girl can play a mean guitar. I hope to see her again very soon.
The crowd was eager and waiting when Keith and his 4 piece band finally took the stage. As the lights dimmed and the first few familiar notes began, the Arena exploded with energy. Keith opened the show with "Days Go Bye," his first number one hit off his latest CD, "Be Here." Following up with "Raining On Sunday," another number one hit from his second release, "Golden Road." At the end of the song, with a very bright strobe light shining on Keith and the guitar, a wind machine blowing that beautiful golden mane of his, Keith delievers one of many guitar solo's with such passion and intensity, you are completely amazed that he has any strength left to continue on with the concert. The man wails on that guitar. He is, simply put, amazing to watch.
The new set includes huge rock formations that remind me of pictures I've seen from Australia, the country where Keith grew up. Huge stairways on each side of the stage reach up well into the balcony seats. Keith often frequented these during the show, getting as close as he could to as many fans as possible. You no longer need front row seats to get a front row view of the man, the man will come to you.
Noticing a very energetic fan in the second row, Keith asks her to come up on stage and help him out with the next song, "You Look Good In My Shirt." He somehow winds up on his back playing guitar with her lying next to him holding the microphone so he can sing. With a camera right above them, they cuddle, giggle and sing all the while the whole thing is being shown on two huge screens to the audience. I don't think there was a fan in the house that didn't want to be her. Well except for the ever increasing male fans that I noticed in the crowd. They too are beginning to take notice of this incredible performer.
When we hear the music from "Swingin" the old John Anderson hit, a trapeze is lowered down and takes Keith up and over the crowd to the back of the floor seating to a platform where he performs a 3 song accoustic set. "Jeans On," "Making Memories Of Us," and "But For The Grace Of God" are included and during the latter, many fans took part in a demonstration to thank Keith for all the inspiration he has given them. They held hands high above their heads and sang to Keith during the song. It was a wonderful site to see, so many took part. Keith very humbly acknowledged all the love he felt from them. Keith comes back to the stage while "Get Back" is being played, the old Beatles classic. Keith disappears as we hear a killer version of the old Aerosmith song, "What It Takes" being performed by Jerry Flowers and Chris Rodriquez. I was watching so intensly I hadn't noticed Keith taking over on drums for this one song. Fans loved it.
This happened to be the concert where Keith had hurt his right vocal chord fold and had to cancel the following nights concert in Evansville, Indiana. At what point he actually hurt himself I couldn't tell. I do know he was experiencing a problem during "Tonight I Wanna Cry." It was performed towards the end of the night and I don't think very many noticed the raspiness to his voice. I only noticed because I have heard this song performed so many times with a crystal clear, beautiful voice. He covered beautifully and like the true professional he is.
If you get a chance you must check him out live. It's one of the best acts I've seen in many years. The last performer I was this excited to see went by the name of Garth Brooks. Yes folks, Keith Urban is that good!
Set List:
- Days Go By
- Raining On Sunday
- God's Been Good To Me
- You Won
- You're My Better Half
- You Look Good In My Shirt
- Homespun Love
- Live To Love Another Day
- Swingin'
- But For The Grace Of God
- Jeans On
- Making Memories of Us
- Get Back
- What It Takes
- You'll Think Of Me
- Nobody Drinks Alone
- Better Life
- Somebody Like You
- Encore:
- Tonight I Wanna Cry
- Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me
- It's A Beautiful Day
