Concert Review: Keith Urban, Jake Owen – Charlotte, NC June 24, 2011

13 years ago Liv Carter 10

Returning to Charlotte, NC after two years and 6 days, Keith Urban brought his ‘Get Closer World Tour’ to Time Warner Cable Arena, his 2nd stop in his 3 night run in the Carolinas. Promoting his recent Get Closer album and showing that his band is still racked and stacked with talent, there was no mistaking that Urban had the crowd in the palm of his hands.
Opening act (and Florida native), Jake Owen, struggled a bit to get the crowd going and although the arena had not yet filled when he began, the crowd seemed split on giving him their attention and energy.  After slightly admonishing the crowd by reminding them it was “a Friday night” and that he traveled all the way from Florida to be here (although the previous night he was in Columbia, SC) he encouraged everyone to get out of their seats. Personally, I always look forward to seeing artists in concert that I’ve never seen before and Jake is no exception. While I like Jake’s music, something just didn’t translate well last night as I had hoped. The sound seemed to be off (muffled) and it was difficult to make out a lot of his words and there just seemed to be a slight “disconnect” between artist and crowd. Speculating on the reasons would do no good, but suffice to say, the majority of his set did not “energize” the vast majority. However, the last 3-4 songs, including his hit, ‘Don’t Think I Can’t Love You’, did get the crowd fully engaged. I was relieved … for him. It was surprising to hear that song, as I’d heard he was doing it as a duet in Keith’s set. Obviously, that would not be the case this night. Tweaking the show as it progresses throughout the tour, is something Keith regularly speaks about.
Starting off his 2 hour and 12 minute set with ‘Put You In a Song‘, Keith and band mates, Jerry Flowers, Brian Nutter, Chris McHugh and newcomer Danny Rader, engaged the crowd from start to finish with their usual flair, energy, passion and commitment to excellence. I was very eager to see the dynamics of the band on stage with newest band member, Danny Rader.  There are only two words I can use to describe this transition … perfect fit.  An obviously gifted and talented instrumentalist, singer and performer, Danny fit seamlessly into the fold. With an unassuming air about him and a mega-watt smile, Danny held his own and certainly had the attention of many female concert goers. No surprise there…
In promoting this tour, Keith Urban mentioned how he intended to “get closer” to his fans at his shows by the design of the stage and the nuances of the performance.  Did he deliver?  Yes. The stage was designed to be a bit lower to the floor and while the infamous “mile-long” catwalk of the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing Tour was not in use, there still was the use of two side platforms, a small round stage midway on the floor and of course the jaunt through the masses to the upper levels.  If you enjoy karaoke, you would have loved  witnessing three fans (two girls and one guy) being called up on stage to sing some lyrics to ‘Kiss a Girl’ with Keith.  (Here is a priceless tip to anyone lucky enough to be selected… Please know the lyrics!)  At last night’s show,  one person did not know the chorus!  Gasp!  Naturally, Keith was a bit shocked, and joked, “When I asked people to raise their hands who know the song, I really meant it!  You should be shot!”  It was priceless!  The crowd determined (via screams and applause) who performed the best and of course, the youngest girl won. It really was a fantastic YouTube moment for family and friends!
All 22 songs were well paced and placed and the surprise cover of  Little Big Town’s ‘Boondocks,’ was spot on, along with some video accompaniment from LBT themselves.  For me, I would have liked to have heard the entire song, as I miss Keith’s own ‘Where the Blacktop Ends’ and ‘Boondocks’ seems like a great replacement for that song.
Many long-time favorites were performed and the fans responded with love, fervor and appreciation. Those songs included ‘Days Go By’, ‘Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me’, ‘You’ll Think of Me’, ‘Better Life’, and ‘You Look Good in My Shirt.‘  And yes…Keith still goes out into the crowd -with throngs of fans groping, reaching and gasping for air and a glimpse of him as he passes – to perform part of this song, sign his guitar and give to an unsuspecting fan.  Yes, he has done this on his previous tour and has done it at each show so far on this tour, but it still is brand new each night to those around him and to the lucky recipient.  I hope he continues this for as long as possible.  It works!
I can’t say enough about Keith Urban’s “guitar-slaying” skills. One of the best things about his performances are those moments when he becomes one with his guitar… no words are needed. The rest of the arena fades away and I always feel like I’ve opened the door to a private room and just watched someone get completely lost in the moment of communicating back and forth with ‘a’ love of their life.  It is mesmerizing.  It was great to see ‘Stupid Boy’ added again in this tour and at the end of this song is where you will find one of those moments.
A drum solo by Chris and vocal solos by Brian, Jerry, and Danny continue to be highlights and I find it generous of Keith to spotlight the immense talent that surrounds him.  It all works together beautifully and the fans last night let that be known, in no uncertain terms. Standing from start to finish, cheering and singing the words to every song, is proof positive that a winning formula is at work!  As this was only show #5 of the North American part of the tour, it will be interesting  to hear reviews from shows two months from now as Keith, always the perfectionist, is constantly looking for ways to improve.  If I can be at another “Get Closer” show, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, we want to hear from YOU!

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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