Live Review: Lainey Wilson @ Glasgow O2 Academy 19/04/24

They say you’ve truly made it when your audience starts dressing like you. On a sunny Friday night in Glasgow, there was a sea of cowboy boots, stetsons, denim, fringe and, of course, flares as far as the eye could see. Hillbilly hippies were everywhere, such is the influence of Lainey Wilson, country music’s rising superstar.

What was also noticeable was the wide range of her audience: with a good gender balance, plus families with kids and younger couples alongside the usual diehard country music fans. The vibe felt celebratory and fun. Sure the venue was a little too packed inside but that was only because so many fans had bought into the bell bottom country musical (and fashion) style on offer. The whole tour sold out instantly, such is the power of what this woman has to offer.

First up on the night was Harper O’Neill on support, offering what Lainey later called ‘soul and grit’. Her understated 90s inspired jeans and jacket might have put her a little at odds with the traditional country fashion of the crowd but her big voice impressed, especially on ‘Somebody’.

Lainey came on stage resplendent in her beige flared trousers, fringe suede waistcoat, denim shirt, big buckle belt and cowboy hat. Her music and fashion style is an original mix of glamour and grit, with tradition fused to a modern sensibility. Opening songs ‘Hold My Halo’, ‘Hillbilly Hippie’ and ‘Road Runner’ showcased her vocal talent, infectious energy and supreme confidence in front of the crowd.

Lainey then introduced her Dolly Parton tribute song ‘WWDD’ with the statement ‘if you don’t like Dolly Parton there’s something wrong with you’ and everyone in the crowd heartily agreed with her (including me)! Her rocking, bluesy music doesn’t actually have much in common with Dolly but she’s learned other lessons from the legend: be humble, grateful and nice to everyone, collaborate with as many successful artists as possible, celebrate where you come from and protect your privacy behind a well-constructed image.

Women have struggled in mainstream country music but Lainey has found the exact recipe for success. On ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ she harks backs to 90s anthem ‘Strawberry Wine’, which she gave credit to and sang a snippet during the gig, showing her respect for the genre’s history. The thunderous roar of the crowd when the song was finished reduced her to tears. Her other big song ‘Heart Like a Truck’ was a spectacular demonstration of her vocal talent, showing she can belt it live with the best of them.

The encore song ‘Country’s Cool Again’ already sounds like an anthem, and it brought even the balcony crowd to their feet for a hoedown. She finished with ‘Things a Man Oughta Know’, sending the adoring crowd home happy in the knowledge they’ve witnessed a star in her ascendancy.

The level of hard work and dedication shown by Lainey these past few years has been impressive and to see it actually paying off is heartening. Here’s hoping her success can continue and help inspire other women in country music.

Setlist

Hold My Halo

Hillbilly Hippie

Road Runner

WWDD

Smell Like Smoke

Watermelon Moonshine

(Strawberry Wine)*

Wildflowers and Wild Horses

Weak End

Atta Girl

Them Boots (Deddy’s Girl)

Grease

Rolling Stone

What’s Up

(Wait in the Truck)*

Heart Like a Truck

——-

(Save Me)*

Never Say Never

Country’s Cool Again

Things a Man Oughta Know

*(Only snippets of these songs were sung)