BeautifulBallad Reviews Lady Antebellum’s Wheels Up Tour ft. Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt

Lady Antebellum’s Wheels Up Tour rolled into Bristol, VA last night, June 6. The tour was part of 98.7’s annual WMZQFest and featured Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt as Lady A’s opening acts.

Sam Hunt was the first to hit the stage at JIffy Lube Live. As a newcomer to the country scene, he did a decent job kicking off the show. Sam sounded great and he definitely found ways to connect with the audience while on stage. “Leave the Night On” was his best performance, and not just because it’s my favorite song from him. The tune pumped the audience up and Sam was right along with them.

As fun as he was, his music sounded more pop than country which didn’t really fit with the vibe of the night. Hunter and Lady A certainly dabble in pop hits but Sam’s entire set-list, save a song or two, was one where he would fit right in opening for the newly pop Taylor Swift.

Hunter Hayes hit the stage next, and is this guy has talent. Hunter not only plays a variety of instruments during his performance and still stays engaged with the audience. Hunter opened with his single “Tattoo” and performed songs off his past records including “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me” and “I Want Crazy”.

Things got a little slow during the middle of his set when he opted to play a couple of slower, less well known songs. He did grab the audience back when he sat down to play “Invisible” at the piano. “I Got Crazy”closed the set and was his best performance of the night. The audience went wild for the song and it was obvious how much Hunter and his band loved to play it.

Lady Antebellum was the headliner and hit the stage just after 9pm. At Jiffy Lube, with its massive lawn seating, this point in the evening is when people start to head out after a too long day of fun in the sun. But Lady Antebellum proved they had a show worth sticking around for.

Hillary Scott, Charles Kelly, and Dave Haywood lit the crowd on fire from the moment they sauntered on stage. The trio is fantastic live and whipped through a number of their hits. Whenever one wasn’t singing he or she was signing autographs, taking selfies with fans, and filming concert footage on fan’s phones.

Their cover choices were also on point. Hillary Scott’s lead rendition of Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” had everyone out of their seats, while their performance of “Walk This Way” with Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes transformed the night into a rock concert.

The one thing I have always loved about country concerts is how much love the acts give their fans and this concert was no different. All three acts found time during their sets to take photos and sign autographs for those in attendance. You could tell they loved being up there and performing in front of their fans.

For all those planning on seeing the group on tour this Summer you are in for one fantastic show. For those debating whether or not they want to go GO! You will not be disappointed.