Brantley Gilbert is known for his divergent take on modern country music.
Hard rock with country lyrics. And, it works.
But the question in my mind going into a muggy Friday night at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was if Gilbert has enough hits and headliner material to actually headline a show.
You can be the judge of that, but only having four number one songs on the country charts, the night was filled with more songs unknown by concert goers.
Starting off the night with "Read Me My Rights", the venue was rocking with a outlaw-esque song. But Gilbert didn't get the crowd singing along until he did a cover of Jason Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem"; which Gilbert co-wrote along with show opener Colt Ford and was the fourth song into his set.
From here on out it was a see-saw game with the fans. Playing only a few that fans would really know, unless you were a true Gilbert fan. Gilbert blasted out hits, "Country Must Be Country Wide", "One Hell of an Amen" and closed the night with his biggest single yet, "Bottoms Up".
At times I had to remind myself that I am at a country concert and not a Warped Tour rock show. But, that is Gilbert's style and fans ate it up. They loved it.
Opening act and country music riser Justin Moore stole the show with his set filled with hits and heartfelt tunes that fans for many years at Darien Lake have grown to love. Moore who has been to Darien Lake before, in 2014 with Miranda Lambert and last year with Brad Paisley, was as connected with the fans as he was ready to bring it.
Moore started the night off with hit "Point at You", but it was his 2011 number one hit "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" that set the bar for the night.
Moore's hits also include "Bait a Hook", "Letting the Night Roll" and current single "You Look Like I Need a Drink".
Give it a year or two before you start to see Justin Moore's name on the big ticket. He's ready.
Show opener, Colt Ford gave the early small but ready crowd an early taste of what to expect for the night. Ford surprised the crowd with a cover of Eminem's "Lose Yourself", which wasn't that bad for a country crooner.
>>>Next up at Darien Lake is country legend Toby Keith. Keith will be bringing his Interstates and Tailgates tour to Darien Lake Friday, July 15th. Tickets still available at livenation.com.<<<
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