Kacey Musgraves

The end of June is a weekend all music lovers look forward to. The 'Glastonbury Experience' is available to all and sundry thanks to the benefits of modern technology. As a result of the BBC's blanket coverage of this iconic festival, I stumbled to work on Monday morning, bleary-eyed, already feeling pangs of nostalgia about my three days on the sofa with only a box of wine and a few tubes of Pringles for company. Despite the vast collection of live sets, along with a dizzying array of clips and studio performances, all delivering the thrills of Glastonbury without the need for wellies, my visit to The Ritz on Friday evening proved to be perhaps the most significant and certainly the most enjoyable music event of the weekend.
Grammy winning star Kacey Musgraves has recently played with such country luminaries as Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss and flew into the UK on the back of an immensely successful US arena tour with Katy Perry, visiting some of the most iconic venues in the States over some forty six dates. Needless to say, this musician is a real star of the genre and the diverse crowd tonight waited eagerly in a hot and sweaty venue, desperate to extend a proper North West welcome to this Texan singer-songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist.
Before we were able to do this, the crowd were treated to a rousing set from John and Jacob. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, the boys have recently become ensconced in to the ubiquitous Nashville scene. Significantly, leading song from their most recent eponymous EP was picked up by the mini-series bearing the great city's name. You can not underestimate the influence this programme is having on the genre at the moment. The duo certainly pressed all the right buttons required of a support act. Emerging on stage, they initially appeared to be dwarfed by the venue, but these friendly, energetic and immensely talented performers quickly grew into their surroundings, filling the hall with their brand of industrious, acoustic folk-pop, which at times possesses a distinctly dark edge. Their short set climaxed with an immensely satisfying performance of their 'Nashville' hit 'Be My Girl', which had the crowd and particularly the young female gathering, who spent the set screaming and bouncing throughout, clamouring for more. This won't be the last time we see these guys on our shores. However, next time it would be nice if they arrived accompanied by their full band, adding just a bit more grit to compliment the abundant tunes and energy. When Kacey Musgraves ascends the steps to the stage a hush spreads amongst the crowd. This is surely a sign of reverence. The crowd is a sell out. They're here to see a superstar and appear starstruck as she picks up her guitar surrounded by neon cacti and counts her mariachi styled band in for first track, 'High Time'. 'Silver Lining' quickly follows and the audiences familiarity with the track sees the show come alive. This song opens the hugely successful long player, 'Same Trailer Different Park' and provides a worthy reminder of what makes this frank twenty-five year old so brilliant, as she sings the wonderfully evocative first line, "woke up on the wrong side of rock bottom". The album hasn't sold north of 450,000 units and been awarded a Grammy for Best Country Album in 2013 for nothing and her audience have responded to her honesty as well as an awareness of themes that you or I can relate to.
The 2012 album provides the basis for the show, but Kacey Musgraves is such a confident performer, and one completely aware of her roots that a handful of covers also compliment the set to striking effect. The first of these preempts the weekend to come; 'Here You Come Again' was originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1977 and Glastonbury punters would hear it a few days later, but Kacey's fans are rewarded with an extremely accomplished rendition, perfectly complimenting the original's energy. The following clutch of songs provide enthralling evidence of her veracious approach to the genre she has quickly become a darling of. 'Miss You' sounds like a straight forward country ballad, but the themes are darker than expected and the story doesn't seem to end well. This is quickly followed by the particularly cool barroom rocker 'Blowin' Smoke', which fellow Grammy winner Sheryl Crow would be proud of. Indeed, the whole show has an incredibly engaging pace and rhythm about it, refusing to be pigeonholed by the country genre she is associated with. Her cover of TLC's 'No Scrubs' is a case in point, and Musgraves' more cynical delivery adds to the fun of the track. The second half of the show maintains the imagination of the first, even introducing an element of reggae to proceedings in the country put down 'Step Off'.
As we head through the bottom stretch of the twenty song set, it becomes even more apparent how well-judged this performance actually is. The crowd brandish wonderfully inventive home-made flashing signs and t shirts demonstrating the affection held for this artist and her appreciation of these efforts in return does not seem fake, and we're treated to a delightful four-song encore full of fun and surprises. The first track is a debut airing of new song 'Cup of Tea', which lyrically contains all the component parts her audience are familiar with, but delivered solo enhances the fragility of the song's evocative imagery. Kacey then disappears to be replaced by her band in new suits emblazoned with flashing LED lights. Kacey emerges moments later in cowboy boots, also adorned with flashing lights and she launches in to an incredibly energetic performance of Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots were Made for Walking', followed by signature track 'Follow Your Arrow'. If ever two songs captured the spirit and attitude of a performer at her peak it is these two tracks. Enraptured, the crowd do not want the show to end, but Kacey subtly manages to do so in style as she sings glorious farewell track 'Happy Trails', A cappella style before disappearing off stage, flashing boots and all.
The weekend was a glorious success for music but the wealth of digital content available to the armchair Glastonbury punter can't beat the live experience and on Friday night Kacey Musgraves knocked one out of the park!

Rhinestone-encrusted, vintage microphone. Impossibly short rodeo dress. White cowgirl hat, neck tie, and sparkling boots. I know it’s frowned upon to comment on a female artist’s appearance, but it was impossible to ignore Kacey Musgraves’ attire on Wednesday night. Projecting the image of the ideal Southern pin-up girl, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter kicked off her special 420 show with “Pageant Material”. Acting as a defense statement of sorts, the song is a perfect introduction to Musgraves’ refreshingly honest personality. Despite looking like someone who might be at home on a runway, she immediately put to rest any idea that she’s just another pretty face. There is no doubt she is proud of her physical qualities, but she’s also proud of her talents as a singer, songwriter, performer, and overall entertainer. Displaying impeccable wit when it comes to wordplay, songs like “Biscuits” and “Silver Lining” made it very clear why Musgraves finds favor among those who don’t usually listen to modern country music. Like Nikki Lane, Sturgill Simpson, and many others out there today, she is able to build on a solid country and western foundation, but with blueprints that have been updated for a new generation. There are countless country songs about small towns, but there are very few like “This Town”. The lying and cheating and gossiping are commonplace, but overdosing and biting nurses…not so much.

The simple, slight references to marijuana in Kacey Musgraves’ lyrics made her performance “holiday worthy”, but the capacity crowd at the Bluebird Theater didn’t buy tickets just because the show was on 420. It’s a fact that Musgraves is bigger than the Bluebird any day of year, so it was a treat to catch her in such an intimate setting. The evening was made even more special by her enthusiasm. She seemed as excited to be there as those in the front row. Anthems about strong women were augmented by heartbreaking ballads, the same way ‘shake your ass’ barn-burners were smoothed out by irie Bob Marley jams. Lyrics were changed on-the-fly to highlight Denver’s newfound status as the North American Amsterdam, as well as poke fun at Musgraves herself during “Dime Store Cowgirl” (“ok, just a little cheap”). Each track seemed to build on the last, allowing Musgraves and her band to loosen up as the night progressed. “Whose high is just kicking in? Who has been high since this morning?” Musgraves asked those rhetorical questions before admitting she’s never performed under the influence. “Maybe today will be different.” The day was different, but as far as I could tell she didn’t smoke during the set. She did tour a pot farm and local dispensary though; an experience she described like a wide-eyed kid seeing snow for the first time. “5,000 plants in one place!” - See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2016/04/22/kacey-musgraves-bluebird-theater-04-20-16/#sthash.ElS1gFk8.dpuf-

What an excellent concert! Having opted for unreserved standing, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this put all of us in this section within 20 feet of the stage at The Sage in Gateshead. Kacey Musgraves was quite superb - a perfect voice and a personality to match the sparkly (rhinestone) outfits worn by her and the band.

With 2 great albums to choose from, Kacey played all of the hits and did a couple of covers too. The highlight of the evening was a solo, acoustic performance of "Merry-Go-Round" and the crowd rousing "Stupid". Her cover of the Johnny Cash hit "Jackson" was also brilliant. I'm not especially into Country & Western, but Kacey Musgraves is so much more than that. Catchy tunes with quietly subversive lyrics, challenging the established norms of her upbringing in Texas.

A special word for the band who were great musicians. Each had to demonstrate their "talent' to the audience, (juggling, spoons etc) which added to the homely nature of the concert. This lady deserves to be a massive star, but we may lose something when she can no longer play smaller venues like "The Sage".

Come back soon, Kacey

Country sensation Kacey Musgraves exploded onto the scene after appearing on the popular Nashville Star in 2007 and following the show she had a fan base ready and waiting due to her likeable mannerisms and the way in which she conducted herself during her time as a reality star.

Coupled with her natural country talents and guitar playing abilities, she had all the right components for an engaging and enjoyable live show. That is definitely what you get when seeing her live, Kacey is incredibly warm towards her crowd and is more than happy to share stories of her beginnings and the meanings behind her songwriting.

The audience is captivated and cheer even louder for fan favourites including 'Follow Your Arrow' and 'Merry Go Round'. Perhaps the largest reaction of the evening though is for an unexpected TLC cover of 'No Scrubs' which demonstrates Kacey's integrity not only as a person but as a musician too.

I was contemplating skipping out on Kacey Musgraves's concert in Helotes, TX (Spurs play-offs and Mayweather vs Pacquiao was also happening) but her striking performance captured me right to the very last night of their encore and well after.

The venue's great acoustics highlighted Kacey's powerful vocals and elaborate riffs across a diverse set list. Her songs were outstandingly country and I LOVED her stage presence: charming, witty, relaxed and endearing. So few and mostly veteran artists can engage their audience the way Kacey did, she had us laughing, cheering and rooting for her throughout her 2 hour performance.

Kacey's live concert beat out all other events that night, but more so - she is one of my favorite performances I've seen to date. Looking forward to her next tour!

Everything was perfect! The crowd was so hyped up and engaged, and we stopped the show to sing happy birthday to her (her birthday was the day before). Her vocals are flawless live and she sang every song from Golden Hour, not to mention some bops from STDP and Pageant Material. Her set design was fun and very her (will never be getting over those circular lamps that would bob up and down from the ceiling to the rhythm), not to mention she even brought together her band to the front/center of the stage to play some more stripped down songs that made us feel like we were in a more intimate environment.
Highlights: KM doing an amazing cover of I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and making everyone laugh through sadgirl tears by singing "Golden shower" at the end of Golden Hour.

Super fun concert! Kacey musgraves has an amazing voice in her music and in person and she was very interactive with the fans. She talked to us and we got to see her real personality which was very down to earth. I wish she had sung more songs from her new album and that the concert was longer but overall an awesome experience!!

Her beautiful voice was even better in concert! Kudos to her stage hands... one of the first concerts in a long time that had the sound done right! Wasn't to loud and we could actually hear Kasey sing! Nicely done!
Sincerely, An American, living in Denmark going to Germany (Hamburg) to get my Country on! Jennifer hansen

Amazing gig with incredible performances from Kacey and Soccer Mom supporting. Kacey is easily one of the best artists in country music today and this gig proved that. The gig itself was quite intimate, but the performances were raw and authentic. Can't wait to see her again!

Kacey was enthusiastic and high energy! She seem to really enjoy putting on a concert and she sang lots of great originals and some fun covers! Energy in the venue was happy and everyone sang along! The opener gave it his all and he was really cute and fun!