Tuesday 19 November 2024

Review by: Erika Godjali

Qudos Bank Arena was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday night, November 19, as it hosted Kane Brown’s In the Air Tour 2024 in Sydney. The crowd, a mix of denim vests and cowboy boots, set the scene—reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, though without the sparkly skirts. From little girls with bows in their hair to hunky men holding beers, the audience at Kane Brown’s show seemed to cover all ages, creating a wholesome atmosphere.

The evening kicked off with New Zealand country star Kaylee Bell, who looked sleek in a white ensemble complete with a blazer and boots. Bell began her set with Take It To The Highway, the lead-off track from her latest album Nights Like This, released earlier this year in March. She performed her chart-topping hit Keith alongside newer tracks like Boots ‘N All and Small Town Friday Nights, captivating the crowd with her infectious energy and a playful dance routine (left-left, right-right, front and back).

Shortly after Bell’s set, North Carolina native Kameron Marlowe took the stage, a red cup in hand (he mentioned it was whiskey). It wasn’t long before the ladies in the pit erupted in a chorus of “WOWs” and “I LOVE HIMs” as Marlowe delivered a set of slower ballads, including Stranger and the nostalgic Girl on Fire. A standout moment from his performance was his cover of Teddy Swims’ Lose Control, which highlighted the striking similarities between their voices (I believe it’s the rasp combined with the country twang), almost as if they were written in the same font. Rather than altering the arrangement, Marlowe kept it true to Swims’ original style, making the performance feel instantly familiar and comforting to the crowd.

At last, the moment everyone had been eagerly anticipating arrived—Kane Brown himself, punctual and on stage by 9:15 pm. Dressed in sunglasses and a leather jacket, he sported a “Tennessee gangster” aesthetic. While Brown opened with upbeat R&B style country tracks like Bury Me In Georgia and One Thing Right, he soon moved the crowd to tears with a heartfelt rendition of Homesick. Unlike the recorded version, this live performance swapped out the acoustic guitar for a violin, adding an emotional depth that resonated with the audience. Brown also chose to perform several of his slower songs while seated on the stage floor, creating an intimate connection with the crowd as we illuminated the arena with our flashlights.

A standout moment of the evening came when Brown brought his openers, Kaylee Bell and Kameron Marlowe, back on stage to perform Famous Friends. The collaboration between the three, each offering their own unique spin on country music—Bell’s upbeat energy, Marlowe’s mellow style, and Brown’s R&B influence—was a special treat for the 20,000 fans in attendance. It’s not everyday you get to see a headliner perform alongside their openers, making the performance even more memorable. Another touching moment occurred when Brown playfully asked Bell how far along she was in her pregnancy. Bell shared she was seven months pregnant with a baby boy, prompting the crowd to respond with a heartfelt chorus of “AWWWs.” 

Brown wrapped up the night by getting up close with the crowd—snapping selfies, grabbing phones to film himself, tossing a guitar pick into the pit (which almost hit me before it got lost in a pile of confetti), and even throwing his shirt into the audience before running offstage. It’s safe to say the concert was an incredible experience for me, and I’m sure anyone who might’ve been worried they wouldn’t enjoy it because they’re not a fan of country music would leave with a new appreciation for the genre. It only makes sense if everyone comes out a Kane Brown fan and nothing less.