Country Music Hall of Famer Wynonna supports on the trek
Little Big Town–consisting of Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, and Philip Sweet–continued the yearlong celebration of their 25th anniversary with a stop on their summer tour at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA.
They opened their set with a funky, flirty “Pontoon,” after which the whistling, marching-band-like opening to “Day Drinking” kicked in to loud cheers from the rural Virginia crowd. The group’s stellar harmonies were on display on “Night On Our Side,” from 2017’s The Breaker record. Jimi Westbrook’s pop-infused vocals came to the fore on that number.
The boot-stomping started with “Little White Church,” which Kimberly and Karen wailed with their signature country twang. Immediately after, Sweet, wearing a shirt adorned with pink feathers, gave a smoky lead on “Hell Yeah,” singing the song with a tongue-in-cheek smile. Later in the night, Schlapman—the twangiest of the bunch—sang a bluesy “Throw Your Love Away” with a ton of soul that was refreshing and wispy.
Their stage featured a large light wall at the back in three angular sections. LBT seems to always favor a wide-but-low, bare set. Their band stayed on either side, well behind the large LED that hung low over the group. The effect was to create intimacy: without the typical headroom at Jiffy Lube, it felt as though we were closer to country’s Fab Four.
Little Big Town is also one of the kindest groups in music. On this night, they spotted a sign that said “85 YEARS—FIRST CONCERT.” After the camera trained on the gentleman and his son, the crowd went nuts. The group also seemed genuinely taken aback by his first concert. Kimberly then told him, “You have one of your people go to the merch booth and get anything you want. Get you some Pontoon love to wear!” It was super sweet and the man and son seemed moved to tears.
Back to the music, 2022’s “One More Song” is the newest performed that night. It is sung with depth and beauty by Karen Fairchild, accompanied on piano at the start before the band kicks up. Westbrook joins in for a sultry duet with his wife, culminating in a quick kiss. The number stood out for its stillness, and earned the married pair a deserved ovation.
Of course, Fairchild also takes lead on the song that has become Little Big Town’s signature ballad: “Girl Crush.” Fairchild ached out the notes as if processing heartbreak in real time. Her sunburst-printed silk blouse-with-cape seemed to ebb and flow in time with her voice, as it did all night long.
I’ve spoken at length how I had the honor to be present in 2014 (Almost 11 years ago, yes I am old) at the album release show for Pain Killer in New York City. To see what that record has done for their career puts a big smile on my face. And I’ll belt out “Turn The Lights On” any day of the week.
Though the show didn’t rely too heavily on that seminal record. They split it up equally among their most well-known albums; The night ran the gamut: the jumpy and horn-heavy “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” from 2020’s Nightfall, the ominous “Bones” from their eponymous debut, Tornado’s “Self-Made” thumped through the speakers, and the Taylor Swift-penned, pensive “Better Man” from The Breaker. Of note: during the acoustic portion of the show, LBT played “The Daughters,” which, according to various other setlists on this tour, they don’t always do. Wonderful to get a rarity, and the crowd loved it.
Wynonna Judd kicked off the night with 14 hits of her own, spanning both her solo career and her work with her late mother. Wearing a sparkling black ensemble with tattered, flowing sleeves, Wynonna opened with an inspired “I Saw The Light,” and later offered a rousing “Rock Bottom,” where her voice soared effortlessly. The middle saw an acoustic set of the most cozy Judds numbers, including “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).” Her husband, Cactus Moser, stepped off the drum riser and played the mandolin for this section. Wynonna closed her hour with her biggest solo hit, “No One Else on Earth,” to a thunderous reception.
Wynonna, wearing a sparkling LBT tour shirt, returned to the stage with first opener Shelby Lynne. All six literally stopped the show and dazzled with “When Someone Stops Loving You.” At least twice during the show, Fairchild teased that Wynonna and her band had just finished a new recording album. We’ll see what comes of it. Maybe a Wy/LBT collab?
The night closed, as it always does at a Little Big Town show, with the slow-burning of “Boondocks.” It reaches a proud, hillbilly fever pitch for a climactic end. It all fit together perfectly and created a fascinating portrait of a 25-year career.
It seems I can trace each Little Big Town album to an era in my own life: Sophomore year of college for Pain Killer; living on my own in New York City, but returning home for the Fall Foliage with “Rollin” blasting in my ears from The Breaker to see LBT in Reading, PA; and traipsing over ice and snow to the legendary Apollo Theater for one of the band’s intimate Nightfall concerts in Harlem. Through all that time, Little Big Town has built a legacy that they celebrate on this tour; and one that will keep fans coming back again and again, wishing they could Stay All Night.
