Review: Thomas Rhett at Billy Bob's Texas
Back in October of 2019, confetti cascaded as Thomas Rhett reached the apex of “Unforgettable” – the closing song’s title mirroring the feeling of the night. The superstar’s headlining tour was coming to an end with a sold-out show, brimming with superstar surprise guests, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Soon, he would announce his summer 2020 jaunt, where he once again planned to entertain fans across America.
Those tour plans were ultimately scrapped due to the pandemic halting in-person shows, and 574 days passed before Thomas Rhett walked onstage for his next show. In between, he would welcome the arrival of his third daughter, become the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year, score multiple top-five hits, along with a number one single, and conjure a musical rejuvenation with his latest album, Country Again.
On The Road Again
As Thomas Rhett took the stage for his stint at Billy’s Bob in Fort Worth, Texas, things appeared drastically different. Gone was the mega stage embellished with video screens, catwalks, and lavish lighting rigs. Dramatic, flashy entrances gave way to the singer-songwriter causally walking onstage with a guitar in hand. The setting may have changed, but the essence of his music and the spirit of his fans remained.
Welcomed by an at-capacity crowd, his set began with his latest single, “Country Again.” It’s the title track of his new album, which ended up becoming a collection that leans more to his traditional upbringing. His next song, “More Time Fishin,’” is a relatable ode to unpretentious ideals. A pair of number one hits, “Make Me Wanna” and “Crash and Burn,” followed.
Word for word, the crowd singalong to “Sixteen” was often louder than the sound pouring out of the speakers at times. Easing into “Beer Can’t Fix,” Thomas Rhett was undoubtedly at home in the world’s largest honky-tonk. The steel guitar-steeped rendition of “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was welcomed after the clamorous “Vacation.”
Intimate highlights of the night included his self-penned “To The Guys Who Date My Daughters” and “Angel,” an unreleased track from his upcoming b-side edition of Country Again.
All the Hits
Big-time radio hits carried the superstar to closing time, each delivering a knockout moment. Up-tempo vibrant songs filled the night while “Marry Me” and “Die A Happy Man” only momentarily slowed the pace. The infectious and effervescent “Unforgettable” gave fans one more chance to bounce up and down vivaciously before the 90-minute set concluded with Thomas Rhett’s most recent chart-topper “What’s Your Country Song.”
The live show is a particularly vital aspect of a performing artist’s career. Thomas Rhett has built a reputable one – his production team has created one of the most impressive and cleanest sounds. However, entertaining isn’t just about visual trickery or stage design; it’s about the performer’s aptitude to connect with an audience. Thomas Rhett commanded the stage with an acoustic guitar, the same way I saw him eight years ago at the Wildhorse Saloon, passionately and excitedly sharing stories about the songs he crafted.
Setlist
Country Again
More Time Fishin’
Get Me Some of That
Crash and Burn
Growing Up
Make Me Wanna
Sixteen
Beer Can’t Fix
Vacation
Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
To The Guys Who Date My Daughters
Angel
It Goes Like This
Craving You
Life Changes
Look What God Gave Her
T-Shirt
Marry Me
Die A Happy Me
Unforgettable
What’s Your Country Song