There are those who argue that the UK doesn't have a significant Country music scene. However, after watching Thomas Rhett perform to a sold out crowd on a rainy Manchester evening, I am confident that the cynics are wrong. 1,500 Country fans from across the UK flocked to the O2 Ritz in Manchester on Sunday evening and I am certain that none of them left feeling disappointed.
The night began with a bang as Thomas Rhett's father, Rhett Akins took to the stage as his son's opening act. Rhett Akins has had a long and successful career in Country music. He has spent the past three decades earning songwriting credits on many hit Country songs, including Blake Shelton's Boy's 'round Here and Luke Bryan's I Don't Want This Night To End. He has also recorded six studio albums of his own, with singles peaking in the top 10 of the US Country charts. He performed a selection of his favourite Country songs - both his own material and covers of songs he "wishes he'd written".
His set was very intimate and humbling. Despite him performing as an opening act, it became clear that he was a star in his own right with many of his own fans in the audience. One fan had even prepared a large sign especially for him which read "Rhett, I'll be your lil Loretta if you'll be my Conway Twitty" - a sweet reference to his song, Honey Bee (famously recorded by Blake Shelton). He gratefully accepted the sign, joking that it would be difficult to take it on the plane back home.
Next up, the star of the evening, Thomas Rhett took to the stage. He opened his set with Anthem, an upbeat song from his sophomore album, Tangled Up. The pop-rock melodies of the song were perfect for setting the atmosphere, particularly after a mellow set from Rhett Akins. The energy the venue skyrocketed as fans danced, sang and cheered along.
He went on to perform Tangled, which he mashed up with DNCE's Cake By The Ocean. This combination worked surprisingly better than expected as fans enthusiastically sang along.
Rhett performed a number of fan favourites and hit singles, including his latest single, Star Of The Show. The audience sang along with every word, despite the song being released only a few weeks ago, proving that there definitely is a significant Country following in the UK.
He brought his infectious energy and charisma off-stage and into the crowd as he performed I Feel Good. Fans screamed in excitement whilst he starred in their selfies and sang with them.
There were also a few covers on the setlist, including Round Here - a song he co-wrote with Country Duo, Florida Georgia Line.
He played the classic Garth Brook's hit, Friends In Low Places, bringing one lucky fan onstage to sing it with him.
Much of his set was filled with fun, upbeat, high energy songs which perfectly matched his confident stage presence. However, he also stripped down his set for an intimate performance of his CMA winning Country love song, Die A Happy Man, which he dedicated to his wife. Fans listened intently, shining the lights from their phones in the air. He also performed his 2012 single, Beer With Jesus, an honest and simple song which he wrote whilst studying at college.
He then brought the energy back up with his Country-Pop singles Crash And Burn and Get Me Some Of That. Thomas Rhett, like many crossover Country artists, has received criticism for falling into the "Bro-Country" category, particularly for lyrics such as "You're shaking that money maker like a heartbreaker like your college major was twistin' and tearin' up friday night...". However, the enthusiastic reception at the Ritz has proven that fans love and enjoy his music regardless.
Thomas Rhett ended the night with Vacation, perhaps a brave choice for an encore song as it isn't a single but everyone sang and cheered anyway. He brought his dad onstage for the final song - a heartwarming ending to a fantastic performance.
Fans poured out of the venue into the rainy, Manchester evening, many still humming their favourite songs from the night.
Thomas Rhett brought an energetic, natural yet charismatic stage presence accompanied by flawless vocals and great guitar playing.
I have no doubt that there will be demand from fans for him to come back to the UK again very soon.
