Being that this was the first Coliseum show this year, I decided I'd walk to the stadium from my hotel. Not a horribly long walk, but it still took some time, and by the time I found the correct aisle to use to get down onto the field, the National Anthem had already been sung by Jamie O'Neal, and shortly after I reached my seats Trick Pony hit the stage as the first act.
This year I used the photo line for my pictures as I had credentials, which allowed me to enter the line on the field, and exit it also on the field. Last year, I was about 37 rows back on the right side of the field, and I didn't dare climb up and down those stairs to use the photo line. My seats were in the far rear of the field this year, but I decided I would make two passes in the line per artist, then rest in my seat until the next act was due to begin.
Trick Pony began their set with "On a Night Like This," and then went into "Just What I Do." Next, Keith plays that recognizable guitar riff, and everyone knows what's coming... yep, it's "Pour Me." I've always loved Trick Pony, and await their new album, R.I.D.E. Speaking of which, they ended their set with their single from their upcoming album, called "It's a Heartache."
Second to come out was Phil Vassar. The artists switch stages, so that one stage can be readied as the other stage is being used. Phil started his set with "In a Real Love," and then moved on to "Just Another Day in Paradise."
Phil also introduced this season's American Idol, Carrie Underwood, who came out and sang "April Fools" together with Phil. That girl has sure got some pipes. After this, Phil left and Carrie sang her single, "Inside My Heaven." After this, Phil returned to the stage and played his last song of the night, "I'll Take That As a Yes (Hot Tub Song)." I love Phil's energy, and I was real happy to get to see Carrie sing again.
Time to change stages again and Julie Roberts is the next to perform. She started her set with "No Way Out." Next, a song I really thought deserved much better on the charts, "Wake Up Older." Julie sang the Linda Ronstadt tune, "When Will I Be Loved" next, and did a great job with it. She ended her set with her big debut single, "Break Down Here."
The little white tank tops were all over as Mr. Dierks Bentley hit the stage with the Waylon cover, "Ain't Livin' Long Like This." From there he moved into his recent single, "Lotta Leavin' Left to Do," and then the fun, "How Am I Doin'."
Dierks said "If you like this next song, it's going to be my brand new single. And if not, it's still going to be my brand new single." With that he sang "Come a Little Closer," melting not a few hearts of young girls in the crowd.
Dierks played a bit of the David Allen Coe song "You Don't Even Know Me By My Name," saying it's supposed to be the perfect country song. Then, he stops and says It can't be the perfect country song, there's nothing about little white tank tops. And, of course this is the lead in to "What Was I Thinkin'."