Concert Reviews

Brantley Gilbert Delivers a High Energy Show at Blossom

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Brantley Gilbert can consider Mother Nature one of the legion of the BG Nation after his show at Blossom Music Center. The day started with clouds and scattered showers, but by show time the storms had passed and became a beautiful night for an outdoor concert in Ohio.

Gilbert was stopping in Cuyahoga Falls with his “The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour” in support of his fourth studio album of the same name. The tour was near the midway point of his 50-city tour that kicked off on February 2 and will run through the end of September.

The show started with Kentucky natives Black Stone Cherry. Their brand of heavy southern rock got the show off to a great start, but much of their efforts were lost on many in the crowd who were still longing for Luke Combs who was absent for this date on the tour.

Up next was Tyler Farr who brought out his hits “Redneck Crazy” and “Better in Boots.” Behind the strength of the singer’s voice, fully recovered since his throat surgery last year, he got the crowd engaged in his set that consisted of 13 songs including fan favorites “Whiskey in My Water” and “Guy Walks Into A Bar.” But, his gravely vocals really shined on his brand new single, “I Should Go To Church”

Brantley Gilbert at Blossom Music Center. (Photos by Edward Schaechterle)

The man that everyone was waiting for was next up and BG Nation was definitely ready for one hell of a night by Gilbert. In a field filled with singers that drink beer on stage or down Jack Daniels while performing, Gilbert stays true to his sobriety of almost six years. The title of the tour and album is a take on his fight to keep those demons away every day because, “the devil don’t sleep.”

But, the lack of alcohol on stage didn’t seem to matter as Gilbert sill put on his highly energetic Outlaw Country show backed by pyrotechnics and his five-piece band. Dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt and a black ball cap, he kicked of his set with a song from his latest album, “It’s About To Get Dirty,” which set the tone for the rest of the show.

One of the biggest highlights from the night was the country/rap mix on “Dirt Road Anthem,” which quickly became a high-spirited sing along. Brantley remarked afterwards that it by far was the loudest crowd he’s heard all tour.

Throughout the evening Gilbert shared about his love for his wife on ““You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” and gave a nod to the service of the military in a “One Hell of an Amen.”

Other Brantley hits included in his 16-song set were “The Weekend”, “Take it Outside” and “Bottoms Up”. He closed out the night with “Read Me My Rights,” a song that has a special meaning to Brantley, which he shows with a tattoo on his left arm.

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