Chris Young - First London Sold Out! headline show!

September 14th 2015

London, Shepherds Bush o2 Empire, UK

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Country's new hope!!! impresses in London

Chris Young **** is one of the fastest growing stars on the American new Country scene and after a very successful performance at the London o2 Arena (Country 2 Country). He is back for one of only two shows in the UK, which both have been Sold Out!!! for over half a year.

Opening the set with the title and first track of his new album ‘AM’, the killer Country riff at the beginning was made to start off a set. You instantly see how strong Chris’ vocals are, and that he has a very friendly atmosphere that surrounds him. I think his manly appearance and his friendly smile, has already made him a big hit among the ladies.

But his vocal stylings and attitude has made him appeal to the guys as well, who all want to sing like him. ‘Getting’ you Home’ a song that has also been nicknamed ‘The Black dress Song’ from a line in the song. Gives a more chilled laid back feeling to his set. With really cool slide guitar and a feel good old school Country feel to it.

It is just a really great Country song, that you start to love the more times you hear it. He continues this feel with the brilliant ‘Voices’ , but it is When he plays ‘Lonely Eyes’, I personally am really happy because it is a song I just can’t stop playing. It was a big hit for him and it is one of the best Country songs I have heard in a long time, but Chris has a hell of a lot of great songs like ‘Who I am with You’ and the brilliant new single ‘I’m coming Over’... which is the title take from his upcoming album album.

I really can’t wait for this album to come out, and I will admit I own his whole back catelogue. But I do think it is the last two albums ‘Neon’ and ‘AM’, where he has really made his a name as a Country artist in his own right. Like with the Rock / Country anthem ‘Aw Naw’, which is a great stadium Rock song that could come off a Jason Aldean album.

He goes into a short cover section that comes of the back of a reference in the song ‘I can take it from There’ about Conway Twitty and leads to him playing the hit by him ‘I’d love to lay you Down’ mentioning if you can’t seduce a woman, by playing this song then their is no hope for you.

Also in his covers section he does the massive Keith Whitley song ‘When you say Nothing at All’, a lot of UK fans will know this song from being in the film ‘Notting Hill’ and being sung by Ronan Keating (Boyzone). So their is a lot of people singing a long with it. This makes a great atmosphere in the great location of the London, Shepherds Bush Empire. He ends the covers section with the ZZ-Top song ‘Sharp dressed Man’, this is Bluesy and Country at it’s best and it’s nice to see Chris doing it. When I first heard Chris’ I heard the song ‘You’, and instantly realised this man is a Country star.

It’s catchy it has a great hook and it has a greet feel good vibe to it. Something we all need in our life, and the way that Chris’ brings this across in his performances makes you like him even more. One of Chris’ personal favourite track’s is ‘Neon’, the title track off the album before last. He doesn’t always play this song live so is a great addition to the set. Chris’ gets romantic with his hits ‘Who’s gonna take me Home’ and ‘Tomorrow’, songs that I think we all will be listening to for years to come. Their so well written, and are just great songs to sing.

Yes! everyone knows every lyric, even my friend that I dragged to see this show. She told me afterwards that some how she knew every song and lyric. This shows a great song, it sinks in and you finally fall in love with it. ‘Text me Texas’ a song I have not listened to as much as others ends the romantic segment in a really nice way. I will have to listen to this song more, it’s really nice.

I am a little confused by the last song in the set ‘Save Water, Drink Beer’, because Chris’ tour t-shirt is a re-make of the traditional Jack Daniel’s ones… but that is Whiskey not beer and the song is talking about beer. But the t-shirt looks cool and I think what Chris’ means is drink more alcohol rather that tasteless water.

Also it’s quite a Rock ’n’ Roll statement, which gives Chris’ and edgy feel overtime he plays this edgy number. He is not meant to come back on for an encore and he really has run out of time, and I think practiced songs. So he brings out a could of covers I think they have been playing about with. ‘Change the World’ by Eric Clapton and ‘China Groove’ by ‘The Doobie Brothers’, I think he didn’t need to come back on and play these.

But it was a nice added bonus to a great evening, and I really enjoyed them. I think that Chris Young is one of the new Country artists that is paving the way in this genre, and making everyone realise the future of Country is promising. If you have not heard Chris Young, then your really missing out… he is a Country artist you will fall in love with and will be listening to for years so come.