Country. Rock. Stars. Lady Antebellum thrills WaMu audience
Nashville trio Lady Antebellum squeezed every ounce of hand-clapping, chorus-singing energy out of a crowd at Seattle's WaMu Theater on Oct. 25.
By Joanna Horowitz
The Seattle Times
They're country, they're rock and they're definitely stars. This is Lady Antebellum's first time in a headliner slot, but Monday night's high-energy show at the WaMu Theater made clear it's only the first of many concerts at the top.
Since bursting onto the country charts just two years ago with a self-titled debut and single"Love Don't Live Here," the Nashville trio has been stockpiling accolades (including a Grammy this year), hits and fans.
"How many of you saw us before?" they asked the WaMu crowd, who might have caught them opening for Kenny Chesney last year or Tim McGraw in May. A big cheer rose in response. But not as big as one elicited from those who were seeing them for the first time.
And Lady A's three core members— double lead singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley and guitarist Dave Haywood— along with a dynamite five-piece band, squeezed every ounce of hand-clapping, chorus-singing energy out of the crowd.
After a nearly a cappella opening— showing off spot-on three-part harmonies— the band laid into one barnburner after another. Good-time romp"Stars Tonight" and the playful, dusty barroom stomp of"Love's Looking Good on You" got everyone on their feet.
Strutting, flirting and working the crowd, Kelley and Scott both play rock star well. Scott— in rhinestone-encrusted leggings and mile-high heels— has a smoldering stare that belies her girlish, albeit powerful, voice. Kelley, during an electrifying solo turn on Bruce Springsteen's"I'm on Fire" (which wandered into The Police's"Every Breath You Take") showcased his perfectly raspy belt— and proved he can steer the ship alone, no problem.
Both have clearly studied at the"American Idol" school of earnest, eye-locked power balladry. It feels just a tad overwrought at times, but any cheese can be easily forgiven when their harmonies lock in.
Case in point: the single"Need You Now," a sing-in-your-shower slow burner with painfully honest, late-night-lonely lyrics.
Serious credit is due to the five guys in the backing band, all of whom did double instrument duty when they switched for a moment to acoustic (including accordion, mandolin and stand up bass) for"Something'Bout a Woman." Jason"Slim" Gambill, in particular, laid down a handful of arena-worthy guitar solos, smiling beatifically as his Willie Nelson braids swung fiercely.
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