Crossover country music sensation Tyler Childers showed his hand in Saratoga Springs Wednesday night, July 3, selling out SPAC to the tune of an estimated 25,000 concert goers.
Armed with a distinct voice, thought-provoking lyrics, an unassuming confidence and maturity beyond his years, the Grammy nominated Childers delivered the type of well-rounded performance that turned skeptics into believers and left long-time fans wishing the night could last forever. Singing through his career spanning catalog of hits, the complex Kentucky-based crooner left it all on the stage, creating a unique atmosphere of optimism and excitement despite the melancholy nature behind much of the music. The concert, part of his “Mule Pull ‘24” tour, was a testament to Childers meteoric rise in popularity and his deep connection to the audience.
With the Broadview stage at SPAC elegantly decorated in old furniture, plants, odd antiques, and a vintage television set, the show started with a surreal countdown that featured various clips of Childers formative years. Accented by the roar of the sold-out crowd as he finally walked out, it was enough to give you goosebumps before anyone played a single note. From the opening tune “Her and the Banks” and the foot stomping “Percheron Mules,” the 33-year-old Childers captivated the audience from the start. Bolstered by the power of his incredibly tight backing band, The Food Stamps, his signature raw and unique voice was strong and mesmerizing.
Bringing a gritty yet soulful and authentic Kentucky touch to each number, Childers would play a total of 23 songs on the night, including six from his massive 2017 breakthrough album, Purgatory. After working their way through “Born Again,” fans were treated to a pair of sing-alongs from the 2019’s Country Squire, including the title track and the grade school confessional “Bus Route.” Following that up with “I Swear (To God) and the beautifully subdued “Shake the Frost,” the crowd was soon throwing their fists in the air in unison for the rollicking “Rustlin’ In the Rain,” before one of Childers most popular songs, “All Your’n” had them howling with delight. Busting out a Kris Kristofferson cover next, “Help Me Make It Through the Night” gave way to a far more traditional country burner in “Cluck Ol Hen.”
At this point of the show, The Food Stamps would disappear into the shadows leaving Tyler alone in the spotlight for some of his most heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies of the night, delivering powerful performances of “Lady May,” “Nose on the Grindstone,” and “Follow You to Virgie,” with each delivering poignant messages about love, perseverance, and life’s hardships. When the Food Stamps reemerged, the full band was in all their glory on the massive “In Your Love” that saw fans waving their cell phones in the sky to create a spectacle similar to swimming in a sea of fireflies.
Entering the Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven portion of the show, Childers would pay homage to one of his biggest influences, Hank Williams, with a stellar cover of “Old Country Church” that made SPAC feel like exactly that. Following fan favorites “Whitehouse Road” and “Honkey Tonk Flame,” opening act S.G. Goodman was then invited to the stage for a scintillating duet on “Way of the Triune God.” Building up the momentum, “House Fire” would have fans stomping their feet and set us up for one final singalong, the anthemic “Universal Sound,” bringing the epic and cathartic evening to a close.
The Broadview Stage at SPAC proved to be an excellent venue for the concert, offering great acoustics and a spacious setting that enhanced the overall experience. The crowd’s enthusiastic response throughout the night highlighted the deep connection Childers has with his fans, making it clear why he continues to sell out shows across the country. Blurring the lines of what it means to be a country music superstar, this was a night to remember – filled with powerful music, heartfelt moments, and an undeniable sense of community.
Tyler Childers | 7-3-2024 | Saratoga Springs, NY | SPAC
Setlist: Her and the Banks, Percheron Mules, Born Again, Country Squire, Bus Route, I Swear (To God), Shake the Frost, Rustin’ in the Rain, All Your’n, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Cluck Ol Hen, Lady May, Nose on the Grindstone, Follow You to Virgie, In Your Love, old Country Church, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven, Whitehouse Road, Two Coats, Honky Tonk Flame, Way of the Triune God, House Fire, Universal Sound.
