CLEVELAND, Ohio Don’t tell Morgan Wallen, who dominated his first of two sold-out I’m The Problem Tour events at Huntington Bank Field last night, that there is a better country musician out there.
It’s a unique experience to witness a performer at the top of their game, seemingly capturing the spirit of the times with hits and hits that are matched with touring skills that demand a stadium audience.
The fact that half of Wallen’s almost two-hour, 26-song set featured songs from his most recent platinum album, the 37-track I’m The Problem, served as evidence of the idea.
Since all 37 of the tracks on the new album are on the Billboard Hot 100, this singer is only getting bigger. Even more amazing was the fact that his fervent audience, who numbered about 56,000, understood every word.
On a sweltering Friday summer night when most people needed a few, there were no restroom break tunes to be found.
This just in: Wallen’s broadcast walk-up to the stage demonstrated how unusual he is.
Wearing a white hat, jeans, cowboy boots, and a red, white, and blue t-shirt, the country artist, accompanied by Kid Rock, took a moment to delve into the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition by giving Shedeur Sanders a watch flex as he passed through the same tunnels as the players.
The energetic crowd, wearing interactive wristbands that displayed many colors throughout the evening, a la Coldplay and Taylor Swift, was in a frenzy by the time he took the stage and kicked off the pyrotechnic-fueled Ain’t That Some.
“Thank you,” he said, “and my name is Morgan Wallen.”
You guys are having a great time, I can tell already.
Given that the platinum artist performed a great deal of rock and roll, albeit with a pop shine and a Music City twist, it seemed appropriate that the stadium is situated in the shadow of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
This was true of the crowd-favorite 20 Cigarettes, the poppish Love Somebody, and the midtempo Kick Myself. The latter, with its bluesy stroll on slide guitar, provided a brief musical detour.
The show was attended by both new and longtime fans. Amy Evanko went to her first country concert as part of this.
The Willoughby resident remarked, “I love country, and it’s Morgan Wallen.”
Joe Beno, her Euclid lover, commented on the excellent music and added a note for the stadium’s tenants.
He declared that there would never be a more packed stadium this year.
For those of you who don’t know, Wallen has devoted the previous ten years to singing about love gone bad, excessive drinking, and occasionally how drinking caused love to go wrong. He tries to forget how the good relationship ended in a lot of his songs.
One example is the song “Dark Til Daylight,” in which Morgan sings, “I’m sitting here alone/Getting drunk and getting stoned/I’m thinking about you,” while strumming an acoustic guitar.
Only when considering his complete collection may Wallen’s blueprint for success seem excessive. However, judging by the large number of fans—including children—who were enthusiastically singing along, it seems to have worked when set to a catchy music.
Don’t We, the patriotic postcard to rural American life, and the melancholic Kiss Her in Front of You, with red light streaming down through fan wristbands, were further favorites.
Wallen changed into a Jim Thome jersey, put on a vintage Cleveland Indians hat, and performed hits like his Post Malone duet I Had Some Help, which had an infectious Prince-like melody (and lyrics that also involve problems tied to booze). He had previously moved to the back of the stadium for a cover of Jason Isbell’s heartfelt Cover Me Up and the tender Sand in My Boots with the singer on piano.
Miranda Lambert won the prize last night. The 20-date stadium tour, which is undoubtedly the largest of all the country music offerings this summer, features headliners in their own right opening various shows.
Wearing a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Since 1985 shirt, the Grammy Award winner performed a tequila-friendly set that began with the powerful song “Kerosene” before settling into a pleasant groove that led the attentive audience through her legendary catalog.
This featured the fast-paced song “Fastest Girl in Town,” which was understandable given how quickly she delivered one platinum single after another during her one-hour, fifteen-song set.
Fun covers of Wallen’s Thought You Should Know and Elle King’s Drunk (and I Don’t Wanna Go Home) were also featured.
While the latter perfectly captured the evening’s theme of Northeast Ohioans having a wild time on a hot and sultry night, the former song really got the audience going.
The event concluded with fireworks, and the greatest part is that returning Wallen fans will get to relive the entire experience tonight, with Thomas Rhett taking Lambert’s place on the bill.
If this tour’s past is any indication, Wallen sees no issues with the set list, which will remain the same and provide fans with an equally enjoyable second night.
