While I was visiting New Hampshire earlier this month, I had a facial with Mercedes, a woman my mom and I have been seeing for years for our pampering when we're up there. Mercedes and I were talking about what we were most excited to have return after 16 months of COVID, and we agreed that we can't wait to go to concerts again. She mentioned Meadowbrook (now Bank of NH Pavilion) in Gilford, NH, which is similar to Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland. I looked online to see which shows they had, and there just happened to be a country music concert I wanted to see while I was in the Granite State!
I had never seen Brantley Gilbert before in concert, and as the bad boy of country, I wanted to see what kind of show he performed. Plus, I wanted to check out this venue! Because of COVID precautions, you could only buy lawn seats in sets of four as a "pod." I didn't want to buy four seats when there were only two of us, but I was able to find a set of two on Craigslist. And that really worked out! The venue was clearly not open to full capacity, and even then the show wasn't even close to selling out (they did perform the night before, so perhaps Friday night was more popular). The pod set-up on the lawn was great because you were able to have a lawn chair without having to pay a rental fee (my first time NOT on a blanket or tarp at an outdoor concert), and everyone was so spread out that you didn't feel crowded at all, and no one blocked our view! And because the place wasn't packed, it is the only time I have ever gone to a concert and didn't have to wait in line at the ladies room!
Now time to write about the actual concert itself. Tyler Braden was the opener of the night. I wasn't sure who he was (I knew Tyler Farr, so then I thought maybe I was mixing them up?), but I think he's pretty new and hasn't quite hit the scene yet. But I really liked all of his songs! Unfortunately they have all been released as singles, so I can't buy a CD (yes, I'm an old lady and like to buy CDs). But you can hear them here:
Brother (the only song of his I recognized)
Leave Me Alone (maybe my favorite of his from the night)
I was so impressed by Tyler Braden. I hope he becomes more popular and does more shows! I would definitely see him again. He did a great job warming us up for Brantley Gilbert, our main act. I knew some of Brantley's songs, but most of them I had not heard before. I have to admit I was a little distracted by the videos playing in the background while Brantley was singing: they were like country's version of rap videos, with country girls dressed in white "shakin' that sugar sweet as Dixie crystal" (if you know what I mean). I guess when you're a star you're allowed to play videos of yourself, but it seemed like the ultimate display of narcissism. And his brass knuckle microphone knocks you over the head a little (no pun intended): we get it, you're a fighter, you're a tough guy, let's move on. Also, I think Brantley put on the COVID-fifteen just like most people... Even celebrities couldn't escape it.
Anyhoo, here are some of the songs Brantley performed:
Bottoms-Up (his obvious encore song)
Worst Country Song of All Time (very funny; he wrote it with Toby Keith and HARDY)
Read Me My Rights (Brantley actually bragged about how often he has been arrested or gone to jail...)
Country Must Be Country Wide (probably my favorite song of his)
Hazeville (clearly with Willie Nelson as well as some others; I don't smoke, but I like the vibe of this song)
He also helped write two Jason Aldean songs: Dirt Road Anthem and My Kinda Party. How cool is that?
This was such a fun concert, especially since it's my first one since everything shut down in 2020! I can't wait to see more live music. I have quite the line-up for this fall: Kane Brown, Brothers Osborne, Kip Moore, Celine Dion... Stay tuned for those posts!
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