The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre was sold-out Friday night for Florida Georgia Line’s Smooth Tour. Just looking at the ticket, Florida Georgia Line (FGL) with Nelly, Chris Lane, and Morgan Wallen left me both excited for the unknown and confused as to why the country music acts would pair with a rapper. Certainly crossovers and artist collaborations are successful and popular. Two popular Puerto Rican singers, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, brought in Justin Bieber to collaborate on their already popular Spanish song “Despacito.” While the English translation of “despacito” is “slow,” the song skyrocketed in popularity in the English speaking market and became the first YouTube video to ever reach four billion views. So collaborations work, but they are usually for just a song or two, this was more than that, it was going to be around two hours of country music and 45 minutes of rap.
The evening started with Morgan Wallen taking the stage. While Wallen provided music that was pleasant to the ears, the entertainment for the eyes was provided by the drummer. While I’m sure the younger generation was fixed on Wallen as he certainly is not hard on the eyes, for this writer who is of the older generation, the drummer was very lively. Maybe it was because Wallen was on the catwalk center stage, and my direct line of sight was the drummer that I took particular interest in him. The sticks were thrashing the drums and cymbals with great precision, and multiple times throughout the songs, if there was just a second or two delay before the next snare hit was due, he’d get a stick twirl in with his left hand before striking the snare without missing a single beat.
Chris Lane took to the stage to screaming fans and a backdrop change with his name in lights, but that’s where even more confusion set in. As mentioned, my seating was not center stage and maybe my eyesight is going due to age, but it felt like Morgan Wallen just reappeared on stage as Chris Lane. The confusion stemmed from both Wallen and Lane wearing ripped jeans, black undershirt and open red and black plaid shirts; they were twinning. While Lane was singing his first song, I kept looking at the pictures in my phone of Wallen then back to the pictures of Lane just trying to make sure they were in fact two different people. It was hard to get past the similarities, so I moved on to watching the band.
Just as Wallen had a spirited drummer, Lane had a very vivacious guitarist. He positioned himself center stage most of the night conveniently in front of fans and misters. His long locks, shaved on one side, moved in the air and on queue with the beat, the hair would fly in the air as he moved his head back and forth. It was hot in Tampa Friday night.
Next up was Nelly with St. Lunatics Brother Ali and City Spud along with two dancers in short shorts, fish net stockings and t-shirts. Brother Ali also donned his red and black plaid shirt, only he chose jean shorts and a white undershirt; a slight deviation from Lane and Wallen. The first song had the rappers rapping and the dancers dancing. Twerking, suggestive poses along with a lot of cursing were the theme for the night. The large video screens behind the stage, stage right and left focused on the dancers so if you were in the lawn area you didn’t miss a single twerk.
Unfortunately, the twerking and suggestive dancing continued and there was no band to distract my attention away from the dancing; everything was coming from an electronic mixer. The preferred instrument was evidently the air horn because it was blown at least ten times and at a hockey match, it signals the end of a period. Every time I heard the horn, I found myself hoping it was a signal to the end; but to my disappointment it wasn’t ending fast enough.
Many people were standing and dancing throughout Nelly’s performance so it is evident people were enjoying the performance. Nelly also gave a shout out to those affected by the recent hurricanes and spoke of the Las Vegas shooting which brought those not currently standing to their feet. Nelly also made sure to thank those that have been following him for the past 19-20 years.
Florida Georgia Line set the place on fire, well not actually on fire, but there was fire on the stage. The fire along with the lighting provided a great backdrop for the band, thankfully the stage was free of red and black plaid shirts. Yes, FGL was wearing the standard country issued tight jeans, but the tops of choice were t-shirts. Now that FGL was on stage, we were back on track for a typical country concert that pays tribute, to love and love lost, family, whiskey, country and God.
One highlight of the night was FGL’s tribute to the victims and survivors of the recent hurricanes and the Las Vegas shooting. While performing Music is Healing, the large screens behind the stage were showing videos of the hurricane survivors and tributes to those lost in the Las Vegas shooting along with the lyrics love is the answer and music is healing. Another feel good moment was when the duo pulled out a baby grand piano and performed its hit love song “H.O.L.Y.” FGL did not disappoint, its performance was truly entertaining.
Overall, it was an entertaining night in Tampa. People were standing and cheering as all four acts took the stage and during their performances. While there is still confusion regarding the popularity of red and black plaid on a hot Florida night and the presence of Nelly with three country music acts, the fact that it was a sold-out crowd means the combination works.