We’ve been waiting for this for a while. The tour was announced months ago, and we’ve had our tickets since early last year. Plus, I hadn’t seen Brothers Osborne since they supported Cadillac Three way back in 2016, so to say I was excited for this would be an understatement! So, after being there and seeing the show, I just had to tell you how it was!
Opening the gig up was a relatively unknown name to me, Tyler Braden. I say relatively as I did recognise his big hit, ‘Devil You Know’, that he closed on. I’m not sure if that’s just from checking him out in the lead up to this show or just because it’s become a rather mainstream hit, but either way it’s a great song and was performed awesomely by Tyler and his band. However, that shouldn’t take away from the rest of the set, as every song was great and performed masterfully. Whether it was his own stuff or a couple of well-done covers, it was a blast of a setlist. Honestly, 30-minutes was far too short, I’d have happily listened for longer! He and his band played their asses off for the short set, and every track was awesome. I’d recommend him to any fan of country or even rock music, and I am already desperate for him to come back over to the UK so we can hopefully see him again!
After a short break, the main act took to the stage. I have to admit I do find it a little odd that we’ve been to three or four country tours now, and there is only one support. I guess I’m just used to getting spoiled by the rock and metal scene! Heck, just a couple of months ago I saw four US bands on the same bill at a smaller venue, so I don’t know what the deal is.
Still, it’s hard to complain, as Brothers Osborne were absolutely fantastic. An hour and a half of incredible country music and some mind-blowing playing from John and the band. Whether it was stuff off their latest album, like set openers ‘Might as Well be Me’ or ‘Nobody’s Nobody’ through live favourites such as ‘Shoot me Straight’ and ‘Stay a Little Longer’ and even a couple of covers of Tom Petty and Bob Marley, it was one hell of a setlist. TJ was his usual charismatic self too, making the crowd clap and sing and laugh all in equal measure throughout, and being all over the stage. However, the real highlight for me was the musicianship. ‘Stay a Little Longer’ has one of my all-time favourite guitar solos, and being able to see it live was incredible. John is one of the most criminally underrated guitarists around currently, so all of his soloing was phenomenal. Add to that Johnny Smith’s INCREDIBLE organ solo in the middle of ‘it Ain’t My Fault’ and I was a very happy musician! Another huge highlight of the set was them playing through their own version of ‘Three Little Birds’ before it morphed into ‘Rum’, the crowd being on their side every step of the way.
As a long time fan of the band, it’s so awesome to see them at this sort of level over here these days. The place was packed out and, from what I heard, everywhere else on the tour has been the same. They’re a great live band that have an awesome back catalogue, and my only complaint is that I’d have happily taken more of it!
And there we go, folks! Two incredible country artists rocking a sold out academy on a weeknight, and it couldn’t have been any better! I can’t recommend either enough, both on track or live, and would jump at the opportunity to see them again!