Tim McGraw Takes Over Bridgestone Arena For ‘Standing Room Only Tour’ Stop

Tim McGraw with the NHL Stanley Cup during his show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Ben Dartnell
Country star Tim McGraw took over Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night (April 25). The show marked one of the many spring dates slated for his “Standing Room Only Tour,” which will run through June 29.
Rocking a red bedazzled crop top, a red fringe jacket and black plants, Abby Anderson graced the stage first to say hello and serenade the stands with songs such as “Where Did All The Cowboys Go,” which she mixed with a portion of The Chicks‘ “Cowboy Take Me Away,” and “Heart On Fire In Mexico,” which was inspired by the women in her family. Anderson then thanked everyone for coming as well as McGraw for choosing her to join him on the journey before making her exit.
Only one little light appeared to shine on stage as the sounds of a fiddle and guitar filled the venue. Multiple musicians soon made their way to the middle of the platform in a single file line to take their places alongside their instruments. Royal blue beams scanned the crowd and the lines encircling the elevated surface on stage flashed as Carly Pearce began her first-ever Bridgestone set with “Diamondback.” Dressed in a white fringe shorts and jacket set accented with an amber color and paired with blue boots, she jumped into Gold-certified “Next Girl.” Pearce then grabbed her acoustic guitar and confirmed that Nashville was ready for some country music while moving into “Easy Going.” She addressed the audience and expressed her gratitude for the milestone moment before performing the Grammy-winning tune “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” which she recorded with Ashley McBryde. Pearce then paid tribute to McGraw’s wife and fellow country sensation Faith Hill by covering “Let’s Go to Vegas.”
“What is so special about Nashville, and what all of you country music fans need to know is that we could not be the artists that we are without the songwriters in Nashville,” the songstress stated as she discussed her forthcoming album, Hummingbird.
She then introduced collaborators Lauren Hungate and Jordan Reynolds, with whom she wrote the recently-released Hummingbird track “My Place.” Pearce referred to Hungate as “[her] generation’s Hillary Lindsey” and reminisced on meeting Reynolds while making note of his various hits before the three sang the single together. She thanked them both for their presence as they left the stage. Pearce proceeded by sharing the story behind her first No. 1 “Every Little Thing.” Phone flashlights swayed as her vocals travelled through the chart-topper. She brought her guitar back out for “Country Music Made Me Do It” and asked concertgoers to insert their own story into the song.
The artist then switched to an electric guitar to share unreleased album track “Truck On Fire.” She gave a shoutout to her radio and streaming partners before transitioning to her and Chris Stapleton‘s duet “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” which is currently climbing the charts. Pearce took a moment to talk about how meaningful it is that her fourth No. 1 “What He Didn’t Do” has resonated with some many others before belting it for the crowd. She finished with “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which she recorded with Lee Brice, after giving thanks to her village and fans.
After a brief intermission, Bridgestone faded to black. Suddenly, red and white rays penetrated the arena as McGraw’s silhouette flashed on the screen in time with the beat of “Truck Yeah.” The platform then lit up to reveal the band, and smoke rose up from underneath along with the acclaimed entertainer. Wearing a black t-shirt, jeans and his signature cowboy hat, he picked up his guitar for “Southern Voice.” Vibrant backroad scenery was depicted with animations behind McGraw on the screen above as he sang. He put the guitar away for “All I Want Is A Life” as the screen separated into alternating red, black and white panels spotlighting him and the members of his band. The streaks of light shifted to blue and white and a ballerina twirled across the screen as McGraw began to cover Elton John‘s “Tiny Dancer.” The songsmith then welcomed fans and introduced himself, though he needed no introduction, as well as each bandmate and declared them “the best band you’re ever going hear.”
“Our job is to leave the outside world behind, so you guys can come in here, let loose and have a great time. We’re going to take you on a ride, and we hope you enjoy it,” said McGraw before sliding into “Just To See You Smile.”
Every seat was tinged with orange as his guitar made its return for his and Nelly‘s “Over And Over.” Clips of the collaborators from the number’s accompanying music video played above. McGraw held onto the instrument for his 2015 smash single “Shotgun Rider” and threw his pick into the sea of fans below.
“This is for my wife,” he said before starting “One Bad Habit.” Sweet moments captured of McGraw and Hill were shared on screen throughout the tune. A hypnotic blend of warm hues hid subtle images of Hill above the stage as the headliner poured his heart into “Watch The Wind Blow By.” He had the audience on their feet and singing along during “Something Like That.” The cameras flashed to show multiple members on screen still moving and grooving for “Where The Green Grass Grows.” A starry scene served as the backdrop for the tour’s namesake.
A bright white stream of light followed McGraw as he performed “Red Ragtop” before checking in with everyone. What could’ve been considered a mini laser light show of many colors occurred for his and Taylor Swift‘s “Highway Don’t Care.” Broken images of Swift were projected during her parts of the tune and at one point, McGraw knelt down to point to one of his guitarists for a solo.
At one point, McGraw paused to acknowledge the city’s sports community and showed his support for the Nashville Predators by displaying the actual NHL Stanley Cup, shouting, “Let’s bring that home to Nashville!” before diving into his Preds anthem “I Like It, I Love It.”
Heads bopped and hands clapped for the duration of “Felt Good On My Lips.” McGraw gripped an electric guitar for “Real Good Man,” which had every corner of the room jamming. Scenes from McGraw and Hill’s Yellowstone spinoff series, 1883, flashed before every pair of eyes as the artist rode into “The Cowboy In Me,” accompanied by the crowd’s vocals. Two other band members came centerstage to play the final strums beside him, making for a satisfying end to the tune.
Rows of blue and pink shining dots glowed behind McGraw as he touched hearts with the beautiful “Humble and Kind.” Aqua tones led him to the middle of the platform as the arena absorbed the reminder and took the mic for the last chorus. McGraw then closed with his megahit “Live Like You Were Dying,” which had the room roaring and every hand ending the night in the air.
The “Standing Room Only Tour” will visit Cananda with a Montreal show this Thursday (May 2) and an Ottawa show on Friday (May 3).
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