The country man of the moment, Riley Green, announced a UK headline tour last fall, and tickets were snapped up within SECONDS – so there was no surprise to see queues as long as your eyes could see right down Glasgow’s O2 Academy on a Tuesday night.
It was quite frankly the busiest Academy gig I’ve ever seen, but the energy was there from the get-go. Opening for the night was Erik Dylan – a man who needs no introduction at all. With a wealth of hits written under his belt – I’m not joking – Dear Today by Luke Combs, Change My Mind by Riley Green and one of my favourites, Weeping Willow by Warren Zeiders – this man takes talent to a next level, and it’s not just writing – he has the most incredible voice it silences an audience within a few notes.
Explaining how he and Riley got together to write one day, and the rest was history – it was a wholesome moment to come out on stage and open the show for him.
Next up was an artist I’ve been following for a while, Hannah McFarland. I first came across a video of Hannah performing in Nashville, and I was hooked – the range in her voice is truly incredible. Kicking off with Broken Hearts Break, we were treated to a mash-up of covers – once again – showcasing her insane vocal range with Robyn’s Dancing on My Own, Taylor Swift’s Our Song and the one and only, Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn. I loved Kasey Musgraves’ cover of this, and Hannah took her own spin on it; we need this released yesterday.
Moving on to some of her own songs, The Bed I Made and her latest release, Foolin’, which is only a few days old, featuring Mr Chase Rice. Closing her set with her most well-known track, Hey Highway, I’ll hand on heart say I think Hannah McFarland is one of the best opening acts we’ve seen this year.
It wasn’t long before the moustached icon, which is Mr Riley Green Duckman, took to the stage, guitar in hand, trucker hat on, pulled out his Duck Caller to open with Different Round Here, If It Wasn’t For Trucks before welcoming back the man who wrote the track, Erik Dylan, for Damn Good Day to Leave.
Knocking back a cold beer in between sets, the crowd intently sang along to every single track, and I don’t think there was a single country fan in the audience who wasn’t absolutely transfixed from start to finish.
One of the greatest attributes of a Riley Green discography is his array of collabs – from Ella Langley to Luke Combs, we got to hear Half of Me, the track he released with Thomas Rhett, not too long ago (another artist I’m praying will come to the UK again soon).
If there is one song that is hammering the airwaves at the moment (with no complaints at all), it is Ella Langleys’ You Look Like You Love Me – with Ella absent, Riley welcomed up Jordan, a Scottish singer, to sing along with him and add her own local twang to the track, which she did perfectly.
With a wealth of tracks in his arsenal, I did wonder how Riley would whittle down his set to a setlist, but dipping into some of the slower songs and then back into the more up-tempo, Riley returned to the stage with a stool to sing, which is, quite frankly, one of the most heart-wrenching country songs there is, Jesus Saves. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear or two. The entire venue is locked in. This man had Glasgow in the palm of his hand.
Hannah McFarland returned to the stage to sing a new song as well as Don’t Mind If I Do, embodying Ella Langley’s verses with her own twang and style – obsessed.
The concert honestly flew by – that’s when you know you’re enjoying yourself – closing with Make It Rain, Change My Mind and of course, the hottest video you’ve ever witnessed in your life – LIVE – Worst Way. Which, my oh my. What a moment.
After a short encore, Riley came back for I Wish Grandpas Never Died, a medley of tracks and, of course, Dixieland Delight, with Mr Erik Dylan joining for the final song.
What an absolute show. I think it’s safe to say Mr Green will be back, but next time, it’s a Hydro-sized venue.
Review by Lauren Page
Photographs by Frank Murphy Photography
