Midland returned to Billy Bob's Texas for the first of a three-night run on Thursday night, and the fans in the (socially distanced) crowd and watching at home were ready for them.
Helping to celebrate the world-famous honky tonk's 40th birthday year, the band played a 23-song set that ticked a lot of wish list boxes for fans, and we're sure they'll do much of the same with the same happy returns on Friday and Saturday night in Fort Worth, TX. And it'll start right from the jump, so if you're logged in, be ready!
Note: You can get your livestream tickets for Friday and Saturday night now! Click Here to visit the Midland events page at nocapshows.com .
The stream started at 10 PM (9 PM local) and gave low volume and a shot of the crowd (seated) and waiting for the show. It felt like being in the general admission, waiting for the headliner to come on. The soft buzz of conversation and music over the speakers coming together in a familiar way. It was accentuated by the conversation in the chat with the livestream. It felt like I was standing in that GA, waiting with everyone, excited, talking about how long til the band will come out, what they might play, and how happy everyone is. I liked it.
At 10:20, the band took the stage, the volume got turned up, the crowd gave a cheer, and the music started with Check Cashin' Country, and for a celebratory show at a honky-tonk, it was a fantastic choice. Right away it was nice to hear the live version of Midland's voices and music. Even over the stream, it was more raw and real than the studio is for any act, and I missed it. And the way these three men sing together, I wanted it.
After Burnout, and just before the boys broke into 21st Century Honky Tonk American Band, Mark spoke to the crowd and made his big point when he said (in part), "We're back, baby! Let's do it!". It's the kind of sentiment we're going to hear a lot as live music starts to come back, and I have the feeling that we're all going to cheer when we hear it.
Throughout the show, the band played songs from their debut album, On The Rocks (2017), the follow-up, Let It Roll (2019), and their newest release, 2021's The Sonic Ranch. We got to hear favourites like Burnout and Playboys and This Old Heart. But like almost every live show we've ever loved, there were some surprises too.
Nine songs into the set, Midland played Fast Hearts And Slow Towns from The Sonic Ranch and introduced Texas's own David Garza to the audience. Garza played with the band. He was a great fit, an added bonus, and the kind of nice surprise we love. And then, we got the covers. In all, there were four, but the first three came in a span of four songs with Eastbound And Down (Jerry Reed), Tougher Than The Rest (Bruce Springsteen), and The Letter (The Box Tops) all getting the honky-tonk twang treatment.
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We've seen Midland in small rooms and on , and this felt like it was somewhere in between and a good place to be. Yes, we'll get back to bigger, rowdier crowds and that will be great. But for now, we got fun live music, smooth sounds (the steel was exactly what I needed), harmonies, banter from the stage to the audience, songs we know and love, and a combination live show on the floor and online.
And just before we got to the encore, we got Mark calling for energy one more time, this time directly speaking to the fans at home, telling them to get up and "Kick your coffee table over, make some noise!" I didn't, but if you did, good on you!
The five-song encore at the end of the show was a great wrap to the 1 and a half plus of live music. Drinkin' Problem, Lost In The Night, Fourteen Gears, Wicked Game (the fourth cover), and This Town all hit their marks. And when it all ended, I was happy and satisfied... but still ready for more.
Note: When Cameron hopped up on the drums and sang lead on Lost In The Night, I instantly got vibes of Taylor Hawkins doing the same sort of thing with Foo Fighters. I liked it. A lot.
We hope that it won't be too much longer before we get to see Midland live in front of us on stage again. But until we do, this was a nice treat, a placeholder, and a reminder of what they bring to the party when it's their turn in the spotlight.
And they'll do it all over again at Billy Bob's Texas on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy!
Midland, Thursday, April 8, 2021 - Setlist, Live at Billy Bob's Texas
Check Cashin' Country
At Least You Cried
Playboys
Burnout
21st Century Honky Tony American Band
Cheatin' Songs
Mr. Lonely
Fast Hearts And Slow Towns
Worn Out Boots
Will This Life Be As Grand
I Love You, Goodbye
This Old Heart
Put The Hurt On Me
Eastbound And Down
Tougher Than The Rest
Electric Rodeo
The Letter
Texas Is The Last Stop
Drinkin' Problem
Lost In The Night
14 Gears
Wicked Game
This Town