The Review of the Country Music Concert

I attended a Dierks Bentley concert on August 23rd, 2019. The concert was held at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. I found the venue to be very fitting for the artist and his method of performance. It was outdoors and still rather warm out. I think country music in the summer sounds better so it was the perfect time to attend. The stage was big so he was able to walk around and put on a show while also singing. I also found it fitting that the pit area was a large open space for people to stand directly next to the stage and interact with the performers. Behind it were multiple rows of seating for people who did not want to stand the whole time. Then behind those seats is a huge open area of grass which, in my opinion, has the best view. For special ticket holders, there are private rooms above the ground seating where people can rent it out for an entire group.

Performers

Dierks Bentley, the headliner, performed alongside Jon Pardi, another country music singer and songwriter, and Tenille Townes who is a Canadian superstar rising as a country music singer. Dierks was born on November 20, 1975, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in Arizona then attended college in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt University (Wikipedia 1). He then signed with Capitol Nashville record label in 2003 and released his first album that same year. Dierks’ first ever album went platinum, along it’s follow up titled, Modern Day Drifter. (BubbleUp 1). He has been very successful ever since. Dierks has sold out Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl for the first time, along with many other professional sports teams stadiums which can seat up to 20,000 attendees. Jon Pardi is a rising artist who has just recently began to have major success in the music industry. Pardi was born on May 20th, 1985, in Dixon, California (Wikipedia 1). He takes a very traditional style to country, almost sounding like a performer from the 1990’s. He has released three albums and also signed with Capitol Nashville. He has released 10 singles of which nine have reached the Hot Country charts. (Newman 1). Each performer has their own sense of style and how they embrace it on stage is very different from the rest. What I noticed while watching this show, is that each person likes to incorporate a little bit of themselves into the performance. Whether that was with a particular instrument, a trademark dance, a certain drink in which most times is their favorite beer, someone specific, or even with the audience as a whole. Both artists music consists of the guitar, electric or acoustic, and the drums. Most songs are often made by using an acoustic guitar and the most obvious, lyrics. Editors then later incorporate more instruments where they are needed. Both performers perform country music. More modern than the past, they include elements of modern country, bluegrass, and some rock.

Music Performed

This concert specifically, really opened my eyes at the fact of how much work gets put in to playing one set, like Dierks did that night. Many artists have a tendency to start slow, depending on the genre of music of course, and then pick up pace as the concert goes on. He placed each song very carefully in the lineup, from my perspective, according to how the audience was engaging and the energy of the crowd. The name of his tour was the “Burning Man Tour”, which is very similar to “The Mountain” tour he did last year. Dierks says he wants to make this time around even more special for the ones who are so dedicated and travel from all over to watch us perform. Changing certain things was not his main focus but about making sure the time spent with each artist was well worth their time on the road. The origins of country music date back to the early 1920’s when the first commercial country record was made by Eck Robertson on the Victor Records label. Most people refer to the “true moment country music was born” in 1927 when Victor Records signed Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Jimmie Rodgers is famously known as the “Father of Country Music” crediting the first million-selling single, Blue Yodel #1. After recording the catalog of his songs between 1927 and 1933, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. “In direct contrast to honky-tonk music, the Nashville Sound movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s polished up country’s rougher edges by blending big band jazz and swing with great storytelling” (Dooley 1).

Musical Description

I enjoy listening to all kinds of different genres that convey a story to their listeners. “The genre of country music breaks out as a widely recognized musical phenomenon in popular culture” (Admin. 1). The thing that sets Dierks apart from the rest is his perseverance and willingness to make sure his listeners are genuinely enjoying themselves alongside him. Not to mention his vocal range, tempo, and rhythm all fit together to make a memorable sound. You recognize his voice almost immediately, and while he may not be the one to land huge vocal runs, or shred guitars, he’s got an unmistakable style and a knack for writing some serious hits. “Bentley manages to straddle that line between “light and fun” and bona fide country gold tear jerkers. He’s won over his fans with his more introspective hits and steamier love songs” (Burchard 1).

Audience

The audience was very stereotypical of what you would imagine for a country concert, cowboy hats and boots, plaid sweaters, and jeans. A common logo, if you will, among the audience were references to some sort of beer company and anything relating to America. When observing the crowd during the entire performance, it seemed as though each person in the audience was having the time of their life. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a social event without a few people on their phones the entire time, but I didn’t let that distract me. Between Dierk’s and the audience, there was never a dull moment and I believe he made each person feel very special with his words and actions and the dedication he has to his career. At one point during the concert, he asked the people holding drinks to hold them high in remembrance of soldiers who had lost their lives serving our country. The crowd erupted with cheers, claps, and even some tears. Following the tribute, he then proceeded to sing Home, which pays his respects to the many soldiers fighting for our freedom. Like most country artists, Dierks’ lyrics tell a story that is very relatable to each listener, whether he is talking about a high school football team, drinking on an airplane or drinking in general, and wanting to be on a beach, each story brings memories to the listeners minds. Overall, I thought the concert was very well put together and Dierks did a phenomenal job keeping the audience engaged and entertained. The music was very catchy and was one of my favorite concerts ever.