It’s rather daring to appoint a stellar act like Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives to open for you. With their exceptional talent, the show could reach its climax before the headline act even steps foot on stage. This was the atmosphere when one spectator encouraged, “Go ahead, Marty!”. The country and Bluegrass old hand and his group, adorned in their sparkling Nudie suits, unquestionably did not disappoint.
They spoilt the audience with excellent unique compositions like the Telecaster journey track Whole Lotta Highway (With A Million Miles To Go) and Time Don’t Wait. They also performed covers from the likes of Woody Guthrie and Bill Monroe, showcasing their exceedingly impressive musical skills, most notably Stuart’s mastery on the mandolin. The band had the entire 3Arena in uproarious excitement, replicating the energy of a Bakersfield Honky Tonk. If all warm-up performances were of this calibre, fans would never again risk arriving late to a concert.
Certainly, Chris Stapleton, the celebrated ruler of the country genre, has just cause for his confidence. His succession of acclaimed albums, starting with his debut Traveller in 2015 and leading to his latest, Higher, one of the standout albums of the previous year across all musical categories, speaks for itself. The concert venue was met with a wall of sound when he and his band made their entrance.
The star attraction from the moment he kicked off with the rousing White Horse, was Stapleton’s mammoth voice, a sound truly divine in quality. If his extraordinary vocal prowess were ever to falter, the performance wouldn’t suffer. Because from the moment he began the second track, Nobody To Blame, the crowded audience echoed every lyric.
Chris Stapleton’s 3Arena performance was emotive, profound, and personal, his every lyric sung back to him by a captivated crowd.
The passion displayed is seldom seen in such a pure form, although those in Ireland have a longstanding affinity for country music. This can perhaps be attributed to the raw truthfulness of the genre and its focus on relatable adult themes. There are few who pen songs better than Stapleton, who is adept at composing not just the southern rock of Arkansas, but also the rebellious country music of Crosswind, complete with that notable octave leap in the chorus. Additionally, the stylish headgear was something to be admired, although the gentleman peddling them at the entrance in blistery conditions certainly had to earn his living.
Another significant consideration is the continuous company of Morgane Stapleton, Chris’s wife. She not only provides splendid vocal support but is also a visual spectacle in her bell bottoms, a shirt with voluminous wizard sleeves, and her tambourine. It was as if she had emerged straight from the 1970s. The imposing figure draped in black, complete with a full Grizzly Adams-esque beard and a Stetson hat serenaded her throughout the evening. His rendition of John Fogerty’s Joy Of My Life was particularly moving, touching the heart of every onlooker.
Stapleton set the tone for the evening early on, stating, “I’m not going to do a whole lot of talking, I’m going to play as much music as I can in the time that we have”. He generally adhered to this plan, with various musical highlights. The talented pair delivered enchanting performances of hits such as Millionaire, Starting Over, and a particularly impactful Traveller. The crowd was also treated to the soulful country tones of You Should Probably Leave, enhanced by Steve Cropper-inspired guitar expressions and swelling Hammond Organ notes, and Think I’m In Love With You. One memorable segment was when Stapleton chose to “dismiss the band for a moment”, and with only his acoustic guitar, sang Whiskey And You and a captivating rendition of What Are You Listening To? According to Stapleton, the Dublin crowd deserved an accolade for reciting every word of his songs.
The unique tone of his voice, charming on its own and stunning live—capable of moving you to tears even when rendering Baby Shark—was arguably at its peak while performing Broken Halos. Stapleton’s guitar skills, never overdone, deserve acknowledgment, too. He paralleled BB King’s style in his performance of Cold and echoed Keith Richards aptly during Might As Well Get Stoned, with his rich instrument skills being equally met by his fantastic band, particularly the strikingly plaintive sound of Paul Franklin’s pedal steel.
The true essence of country music is its soulful nature, which is a significant reason of Stapleton’s widespread acclaim. His performances are drenched in this genuine authenticity. He achieved a profound emotive connection at the 3Arena performance, managing to create a close-knit, intimate atmosphere, captivating his devout fans through his distinctive voice that mirrors the warmth of the Tennessee Whiskey he so eloquently idolises. Certainly, a night to be treasured for ages.