11 March 2016 (gig)
18 March 2016
The Country to Country Festival produced one of its strongest line-ups yet as today’s superstars of the country music scene graced Dublin’s 3Arena.
Over the three-day event the likes of Eric church, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, headlined what proved to be a microcosm of country’s roots as well as its genre merging modern direction.
Chris Stapleton, set the gold standard with the very opening performance of the event. The Grammy award winner [Best Country Album] brought his work to life with his grit inflicted blues style. Songs like the ‘traveller’ felt fresh and interesting as Stapleton was able to stretch and flex his vocal talents. That being Said, the C2C debutante was almost upstaged by his own support vocalist and wife with a beautiful rendition of ‘You Are My Sunshine’.
In a stark contrast to Chris Stapleton’s country blues, Eric church seemed to dispense almost entirely with the supposed genre niche. Thudding drums and searing electric guitar, all turned up to eleventy stupid took centre stage. With an angry ode against the pretty boy pop star, ‘Lotta Boot Left To Fill’ and tribute to the legendary Bruce Springsteen[’Springsteen’] it’s clear that the 2015 country music Association Entertainer of the year Nominee had dreams of becoming a rock star. And what’s more the crowd loved him for it.
The clash of traditional roots versus the need for crossover appeal continued throughout the event. For every Kacey Musgraves or Ashley Monroe putting in witty, heartbroken, life-affirming and yes drink and drug related performances, in the spirit of classic country there’s a Thomas Rhett or Sam Hunt willing to embrace electronic beats,and the party pop hook. Country’s crossover craving, is as old as Chet Atkins and the polished Nashville sound of the 1950s/60s, but that glorious distinctive twang seems again to be being pushed into the background.
Regardless, of the current state-of-the-art form, the crowd lap it up. Rhett for his part deserves extra credit for not only a catchy little number or two [particularly, ’Vacation’] but, for making the effort to engage with the crowd. The ‘Die a Happy Man’, singer energetically ran about the crowd, interacting, taking pictures and most importantly singing with the fans.
It was left to Miranda Lambert to close the Saturday night proceedings with a strong inaugural performance on an Irish stage. The CMA Female Vocalist of the year, whilst showing her rebellious side [’Fastest Girl in Town’ ’Kerosene’] also offered up her emotional reminiscence with ‘The House That Built Me’.
But as good as things had been before, the final acts of c2c Dublin sent the showcase off in style.
The penultimate act Little Big Town immediately showcased their impressive harmonizing, with a brief but classy cover of Dolly Parton’s Jolene.
While the group displayed some of the best vocals seen throughout the festival, they also connected with their audience like no other artist.
They laughed, joked, drank and seemed genuinely at home with the crowd. The band fell into a conversation with a devotee from Atlanta Georgia. After getting over the surprise that one of the faithful would traverse the globe for their show, vocalist Karen Fairchild is heard to say “we have a show in Georgia you know?”.
Their free-flowing style coupled with the feel-good set list that included ‘Pontoon’, ‘Day Drinking’ and ‘Pain Killer insured the quartet’s night went down very well’. This also extended to a fantastic cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ which had the crowd enthralled.
By the time the final note of the bands’ hit song ‘Girl Crush’ sounded, the atmosphere was electric.
On any other night Little Big Town would’ve comfortably stolen the show, but there’s a reason why former American Idol contestant, Carrie Underwood topped proceedings.
Almost every song showcased the Oklahoma resident’s awesome vocal talents. Much like Adele, even Underwood’s most average songs are rescued by her powerhouse voice.
Fortunately, for Underwood and the assembled masses, this set proves to be a fun pop flavoured mix, with a tinge of dark tragedy thrown in.
The set list holds themes of good time Casanova’s, loathsome lovers, drunken escapades and professions of profound faith. A typical Country show then.
Highlights included, the tale of cheeky revenge, ‘Before He Cheats’, an abused and scarred past ‘Blown Away’, and a woman rediscovering her faith after a near death experience in ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’.
Overall the set proved to be the perfect way to bookend an excellent if divergent C2C festival.
