The near sold-out Pabst Theater was filled to the brim with Texas and Alabama twang on Saturday eve.
Crowds of flannel and cowboy boots flocked to the theater-turned honkytonk to see opener John and Jacob, followed by outlaw country singer, Kacey Musgraves – most known for her songs “Merry Go ‘Round,” “Follow your Arrow,” and “Blowin’ Smoke.”
It would be an injustice not to first highlight the talent of opener John and Jacob. The Alabama group came clad in like-colored suits and had a vintage flavor to them. Their harmonized voices sounded like they came straight from the waves of early-day country radio. At times, a trumpet would break up the midst of a melody, putting forth the sound of old El Paso. This group had a good time, and it showed. They were a delight.
Musgraves followed the act with a stage setup of neon cactuses, a desert sky and bright lights (for a big city). The outfits of the band members were pure Texas style, like they just hopped on the Heartland Flyer out of Fort Worth and wound up at the Milwaukee Amtrak station.
Musgraves started the show in a mid-calf length dress similar to one Annie Oakley would have sported, with a pistol as accessory. She plodded around the stage in high-heeled boots, but in the middle of the show, Musgraves shucked her shoes and went barefoot like the down-home country girl she is.
“I know this is one of those fancy sit-down places, but this ain’t no sit-down show,” said Musgraves.
She’s humble. And she’s got one heck of a sense of humor.
The Texas native belted out songs with the best of them, similar in sound and tone to Miranda Lambert and Dolly Parton. Her songs pair well with the outlaw country coming out these days, following the likes of Gretchen Wilson and Miranda Lambert (with entourage Pistol Annies). It’s a refreshing sound compared to the likes of once-country Taylor Swift (sorry, folks, she’s no favorite of mine). Rarely were songs about broken hearts and teardrops on any guitar. Musgraves tells a story with each hit and really digs into the “Bless your heart” attitude and hypocrisies of the south. Listen to “Merry Go ‘Round” for more on that.
In the middle of her set, the band waltzed off the stage, and Musgraves returned with just her guitar. Standing on a spotted cowhide in front of an attentive audience, she performed her upcoming single “Biscuits.” With a playful tone, the song heeds the words “Mind your own biscuits, and life will be gravy.” It’s clever, and again, it’s similar in theme to many of her songs.
Throughout the night, Musgraves performed a few unexpected covers: Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again,” Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and country favorite, “These Boots are Made for Walkin’.”
With only one album released, “Same Trailer Different Park,” Musgraves’ second album should hit stores this spring (release date TBD). With as much blunt personality and spark as this gal has, it’ll be another hit.
I appreciate what Musgraves is bringing to the country scene. For far too many years, we’ve been given a straight-laced version of commercial country music. It’s tiring, and quite frankly, it’s boring. Musgraves’ song “Follow Your Arrow” sends a pretty heartfelt message to listeners, but maybe it digs a little deeper. Just maybe it’s a message to the big wigs in Nashville that things are changing in country music. Finally.
“When the straight and narrow gets a little too straight, roll up a joint, or don’t. Just follow your arrow wherever it points.”
