Country’s Cool Again: Lainey Wilson Plays Evansville, Indiana
Country's Cool Again: Lainey Wilson’s Headlining Show in Evansville, Indiana
Written by Amanda Tempel, Photos Courtesy of Ford Center
Forget about being cool (it very much is though), country’s country again.
Country music has always been cyclical - The Nashville Sound, Urban Cowboy, neotraditional, pop, and even bro country eras have defined country history. Now, the mainstream genre has experienced a sonic shift. The twang has turned up, and what was old is suddenly new. And there’s one cowgirl-turned-superstar leading the pack – Lainey Wilson.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year brought her honky tonk roadshow to The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The arena was packed with young girls, many embracing the Western theme with fringe, hats, bell bottoms, and boots to complete their cowgirl ensemble. Clutching their homemade signs that proclaimed their admiration of the star, it was a night of word-for-word singalongs when Lainey took the stage.
As the arena went dark, the staticky, retro radio sounds of Barbara Mandrell’s signature ‘80s hit “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” played as Lainey Wilson emerged from a pickup truck situated onstage. Belting her most recent top ten hit “Hang Tight Honey,” you instantly knew this night was going to be fun and full of surprises. Fan favorites like “Straight Up Sideways,” “Smells Like Smoke,” and “Dirty Looks” followed, the crowd never once pausing to sit down.
The superstar praised fellow country trailblazer Miranda Lambert who she wrote “Good Horses” alongside. Then, she brought out supporting act Ian Munsick for their rendition. If there’s anyone who can match Lainey’s spirited energy, it’s Ian Munsick.
Earlier in the night, the Wyoming native's opening set celebrated his Western grit, showcasing tracks from Coyote Cry and White Buffalo. His storytelling, inspired by his cowboy roots, came alive through songs like “Barn Burner,” “I See Country Everywhere,” and “Long Haul.”
Authenticity was a common thread shared by all acts that night. That no-holding-back strength led Lainey Wilson to captivate fans with her breakthrough single “Things A Man Oughta Know.” While simple in terms of approach, it was just Lainey and her guitar onstage, but it proved to be one of the biggest highlights of the night, reminding you that her vocal delivery is pheromonal.
Photo courtesy of the Ford Center.
Going to a Lainey Wilson show is like having a heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted friend who constantly elevates you and has your back. Before diving into “Middle of It” she revealed that her songs are drawn from personal experiences, and she occasionally doubts that anyone will relate to them. That’s the rewarding aspect of being a performer – when people find refuge and inspiration within the lyrics and the song becomes an anthem to them. Her performance of “Heart Like A Truck” carried that same energy, resulting in an empowering moment.
“Bar in Baton Rouge,” coupled with a soulful version of “Proud Mary,” transported fans to the singer’s Louisiana stomping grounds. “Ring Finger” displayed her southern drawl and bold, unapologetic brand of country – reinforcing her point that you should always show up and be yourself.
Lainey Wilson excels at making people feel like they matter. Before launching into her encouraging track, “Atta Girl,” the “Cowgirl of the Night” segment gave a lucky audience member a chance to go onstage. A young fan also named Laney (without the “I” as she mentioned) was picked from the crowd. Together, they recited the cowgirl mantra before Lainey presented the fan with a new cowboy hat.
She may be the star of the show, but Lainey is always willing to share the spotlight. When she invited opening act Zach Top to duet with her, it seemed fitting that they sang about The Possum himself, George Jones. “Keep Up With Jones” is a lighthearted ode to the legendary country figure and signifies Lainey’s testament to traditional sounds.
Zach Top’s rapidly expanding fanbase is captivated by his blend of classic country swagger and compelling storytelling. As the night’s first performer, he ignited his set with “Sounds Like The Radio,” a song currently approaching the top ten on country radio. Hailing from Washington and starting in Bluegrass bands, Zach has found a diverse audience amid a resurgence of '90s country. His self-titled debut album showcases songwriting legends like Paul Overstreet, Roger Springer, Mark Nesler, and Tim Nichols, all known for their hits from that era. Highlights of Zach’s set included “There’s The Sun,” “Use Me,” and his viral hit “I Never Lie.”
While the influx of trap beats, pop stylings, and rap cadences have crept into modern country radio waves, traditional country has never gone anywhere. Sure, it may be harder to find at times when flipping stations on a car radio, but it can always be found in a roadside dive bar, a songwriter round in Nashville, or from a local act headlining a honky tonk. But right now, traditional country music is having a moment.
Photo courtesy of the Ford Center.
Lainey Wilson is one of those torchbearers, recently earning membership in the Grand Ole Opry, an honor that celebrates artists who uphold the genre's traditions. She’s cultivated a crowd that appreciates the fiddle solos, the real-life lyrics, and the embodiment of the cowgirl spirit. And now, everyone wants in on the movement. Lainey captures the current state in “Country’s Cool Again,” giving a glimpse of how everything from music streaming to fashion, concerts, and pop culture has been influenced by a more traditional-leaning style of country music.
The latter portion of the show featured an intimate medley of some of her biggest duets including “Never Say Never,” “Wait in the Truck,” and “Save Me.” She credited her collaborators Cole Swindell, HARDY, and Jelly Roll, respectively, and the role they played in her career.
As her band rejoined her onstage, Lainey launched into her current radio single “4x4xU” – a song she reveals is one of her most personal and mirrors her relationship. The autobiographical “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” was a rousing finale, solidifying Lainey Wilson's status as a trailblazer in country music and beyond. Adding to that, she’s creating a fashion line, starring on the mega-popular Yellowstone, collaborating with iconic brands, and many other ventures that heighten her success. It’s a whirlwind, as she describes. One that she welcomes everyone to join, because, hey, country’s cool again.
Lainey Wilson’s “Country’s Cool Again” Setlist
Hang Tight Honey
Straight Up Sideways
Smell Like Smoke
Dirty Looks
Good Horses ft. Ian Munsick
Things A Man Oughta Know
Middle of It
Whirlwind
Heart Like a Truck
Bar In Baton Rouge / Proud Mary
Ring Finger
Watermelon Moonshine
Atta Girl
Keep Up With Jones ft. Zach Top
Country’s Cool gain
Medley: Never Say Never, Wait in the Truck, Save Me
4x4xU
Wildflowers and Wild Horses
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Luke Combs was honored with the prestigious Gene Weed Milestone Award during the 14th Annual ACM Honors. I caught up with Luke right after he came offstage from the historic Ryman Auditorium and gave a heartfelt acceptance speech.