Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Kane Brown took the stage at Bridgestone Arena on Friday (April 11) and Saturday (April 12) as part of “The High Road Tour.” Both nights, the arena was packed with eager fans, sporting tour t-shirts and “KB” hats, ready for the entertainer to deliver his high-energy set.
Ashley Cooke kicked off Saturday night with fan favorites such as “I Almost Do,” “Never Til Now,” “It’s Been A Year,” her Joe Jonas collaboration “All I Forgot” and more. She surprised the crowd with the announcement of her newest single “The F Word,” releasing this Friday (April 18), before previewing the tune. She also got the crowd rocking to a medley of cover songs including Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” and Rascal Flatts’ “Life Is A Highway,” before closing her set with her first No. 1 at country radio, “Your Place.”
Next up was Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny, who was making his Bridgestone debut. Tenpenny soaked in every moment, playing hits including “We Got History,” “Bucket List,” “Alcohol You Later,” “Truth About You” and “Drunk Me,” among others. Tenpenny also showcased his newest radio single “Same Moon” off his The 3rd album. Energizing the crowd, he also delivered electric covers of 2Pac’s “California Love,” where his brother joined him for the rap portion, and ended his set with Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.”
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
As the lights went dim, the arena was ready for Brown’s genre-blending, emotionally-charged and energetic show. From the moment smoke filled the air and Brown emerged dramatically at the end of the circle stage outstretched to the center of the venue, it was clear the crowd was in for a fun night.
The explosive kickoff came with “I Am,” accompanied by a burst of fireworks that set the tone for a night where spectacle and soul collided. He kept the energy high with “Start a Fire” and “I Can Feel It,” making the massive arena feel like a packed-out party.
When “Fiddle In The Band” hit, the spotlight turned to the fiddle player for a jaw-dropping solo that had the crowd roaring, but it was “Like I Love Country Music” that turned Bridgestone into a giant singalong, with fans shouting every word right back at him.
Kane Brown & Lauren Alaina. Photo: Matthew Paskert
One of the night’s best surprises came during “What Ifs,” when Lauren Alaina joined Brown on stage, bringing the house down for their chart-topping duet. He kept the good vibes rolling with the dance-filled “Lose It,” with Brown utilizing every inch of the giant stage, and a moody, blue-lit “Be Like That,” which saw him striding up a ramp at the back of the stage, captivating the audience with every step. After the band briefly exited, Brown took a moment alone sitting at the top of the ramp, diving into a heartfelt “Homesick.”
“People sometimes forget that celebrities are humans, too, and we go through things. This song is about some of my own personal struggles, and a reminder to everyone that you are not alone,” Brown said before transitioning into the beautifully emotional “Haunted,” made even more intense by a red fog and the illusion of the video screen burning away behind him, creating a highlight of the night.
Photo: Matthew Paskert
Brown and his band then walked to the edge of the stage, creating a setup in the middle of the arena for their stripped-back acoustic section, which Brown wanted to have imitate his high school days of playing at bonfires. The band shared intimate takes on “Backseat Driver,” “Worship You” and “For My Daughter.” Then Brown remained there by himself for a powerful solo performance of “Heaven,” where he asked the crowd to get as loud as possible. The crowd roared and shined their cell phone lights, illuminating the venue.
Brown kicked the party back into gear with “One Mississippi” before inviting Tenpenny and Cooke back out for a stellar rendition of “Says I Can.” He followed that with fan-favorite “Good As You.”
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Then came a tender moment when he was joined on stage by his wife Katelyn, who also impressed the crowd vocally, on “Body Talk,” with laser beams lighting up the entire stage, before launching into their duet “Thank God,” with the fans swaying and singing along to every word.
The finale was figuratively and literally pure fire with “Bury Me In Georgia” and “One Thing Right” featuring pyrotechnics and red lasers lighting up the arena. To cap it all off, “Miles On It” turned into a full-circle moment as Brown brought out the team who helped bring the music video to life, and one final singalong rippled through the arena.
Brown will continue “The High Road Tour” on April 24 in Columbia, South Carolina, before heading to Grand Rapids, Albany, Atlantic City and more.
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Paskert
Madison Hahnen is Project Manager at MusicRow magazine, where she helps carry out operational objectives and large-scale projects for the company. Hahnen graduated from Bryant University in May of 2020 with a B.S. in Team & Project Management and a minor in communication studies.