We returned to the Arena one more time for the final night of C2C 2024 (check out the earlier shows here), due to be full of varied performances, showmanship, and even a few surprises…
Drake Milligan, a.k.a. modern-day Elvis Presley, took the Main Stage
by storm from the moment he tore onto the stage with Blue Suede Shoes. His
playful rendition of the rollicking How Much Beer Can One Man Drink had
the crowd dancing and singing along, endearing him to fans old and new alike.
With songs like Tipping Point and Hating Everything She Tries On,
I thought he absolutely showcased his versatility as an artist, effortlessly
blending traditional country sounds with his own modern flair. Even for those
less familiar with his music, there was still plenty to enjoy, from his high-energy
cover of Pretty Woman to his adorable dance moves. And he knows how to
work a crowd too - just when we thought the show was over, he called ‘you didn’t
think I’d leave without playing one more song, did you?’ before treating us to Sounds
Like Something I’d Do. From playing the indigo2 just a year prior to now gracing
the Main Stage, it’s clear Drake is a star in the making, no doubt.
Over on the Spotlight stage, my personal fave Carter Faith took her turn to mesmerise us all. Dressed in a sleek, shiny black ensemble, Carter exuded confidence and poise as she effortlessly commanded the stage. First up was Cowboy Forever, where Carter’s angelic voice drew listeners in with each note. On Greener Pasture, her beautiful vocals filled the stadium, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and connection that shouldn’t work in a venue this large. Finally, she ended with Man, showing off some stellar songwriting skills that should have her up there with the best of the game. What a show!
Due up next on the Main Stage was Elle King, and I waited for a while after her band had taken to the stage before realising one of the people I had assumed was in her band was Elle herself, although unrecognisable since the last time I'd seen her. Unfortunately the sound quality for Elle’s set was awful, and I really couldn’t hear a word she was saying, but her confidence and coolness shone through throughout her entire set. With songs like America's Sweetheart, Worth a Shot, and the heartfelt I Got Lucky, written for her son Lucky, Elle showcased her versatility as an artist, effortlessly transitioning between genres and delivering each song with raw emotion and authenticity. A standout moment of her set was her performance of the hit single Ex's & Oh's, where Elle's charismatic stage presence and electrifying vocals left the audience in awe. Bringing Lily Rose back on stage for a lively cover of Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home), Elle closed out her set on a high note, leaving the audience cheering for more despite the acoustic challenges.
Just after leaving Elle’s stage, Lily Rose was up on the Spotlight stage. Kicking off her set with the infectious hit Villain, Lily immediately had the crowd singing along. Lily's stage banter endeared her to the audience, particularly when she mentioned British fast food chain Greggs, eliciting a cheer from the crowd, as did the two new songs she played for us – Back Pew and Time Of My Life. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what type of country Lily best fits in, but whatever it is, she’s doing it well!
Easier to fit into a specific style of country – and I’m definitely talking country-rock here – we had Brothers Osborne up next. From the moment they took the stage, Brothers Osborne were rocking out. Weed, Whiskey & Willie and Stay a Little Longer showcased their dynamic sound and undeniable stage presence with T.J.'s deep, soulful vocals resonating throughout the arena, perfectly complemented by his brother John's impressive guitar skills. As they delved into fan favorites like Shoot Me Straight and 21 Summer, the brothers kept the momentum going with nonstop music that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish. T.J. proved to be a master at engaging the audience, encouraging everyone to join in the excitement and dance along to the infectious beats. The energy reached a fever pitch during anthems like Rum and Burning Man, with the crowd erupting in thunderous cheers and applause – I really don’t think I’ve ever heard cheers quite that loud. Finishing with an insane 10-minute instrumental before It Ain’t My Fault, they highlighted that if you’re looking for a good show, you know where to find one. My ears are still ringing!
After the high-energy performance by Brothers Osborne on the mainstage, the festival continued with Annie Bosko taking the Spotlight stage. With her infectious energy and genuine gratitude, Annie kicked off her set with the feel-good anthem Life is Good, immediately getting the crowd clapping along. Transitioning seamlessly into a soulful rendition of Help Me Make It Through the Night, she showcased versatile vocal abilities and heartfelt delivery. The crowd swayed and danced to the rhythm of Neon Baby, before Annie closed with Honky Tonk Highway, leaving a lasting impression and a good feeling all around.
As the night reached
its pinnacle, the stage was set for the headliner, Old Dominion, to
deliver an unforgettable performance. The band kicked off their set with the
infectious Make It Sweet, accompanied by stunning visuals that set the
tone for the evening. It’s no surprise that I love Old Dominion, and they did a
fantastic job of keeping us all engaged, seamlessly transitioning from upbeat
anthems like No Hard Feelings to irresistible sing-along tracks like Never
Be Sorry. As the setlist unfolded, Old Dominion treated the crowd to a mix
of beloved hits and new tracks, including perhaps their first big hit Break
Up with Him and the poignant Written in the Sand (do yourself a
favour and give this a listen!)
Highlights of the
night included the crowd favorite Hotel Key and a show-stopping cover of
Cocaine alongside Brothers Osborne and Elle King. The energy was
palpable as the band delivered one hit after another, captivating the audience
with their infectious enthusiasm and undeniable chemistry on stage. As the
evening drew to a close, the band returned to the stage for an encore, only to find
that they couldn’t hear each other through their earphones. Nonetheless, this
actually led to maybe the most special moment of the night, as they all huddled
around one mic to perform Nowhere Fast – a moment that never would have
happened without that difficulty! Luckly, all was fixed in time for their final
song, the ‘can’t-help-but-join-in’ I Was On A Boat That Day. I loved
them before and I’ll love them always, Old Dominion, please come back soon.
So there you have it,
from old favourites to stars of tomorrow, another year of C2C in the books. My
highlights? It’s got to be Carter Faith, Abbey Cone, Lauren Alaina and Old
Dominion. If they keep bringing artists like that back (and some new ones too,
please!), I’ll keep going. Were you at C2C? Let me know what you thought in the
comments below :) Thanks for reading!
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