Lady Antebellum, Superstar Trio Bring Country Heart Break To London

by | Oct 13, 2017

With the rising popularity of Country music in the UK, it’s no surprise that more and more acts are making the trip across the pond, from up and coming acts playing smaller venues to the heavy hitters playing the UK’s largest stages. And this week it was the turn of Country trio Lady Antebellum, comprised of Nashville native Hillary Scott alongside Augusta, Georgia boys Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood.

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

While they may not be known as an arena-topping act to most outside of the US, they have still managed to reach the top 10 of the UK album charts with three of their albums and the top 20 with two more – all of their albums bar their latest peaking at #1 on the UK Country charts. They’ve even squeezed in a headline appearance at the 2015 C2C Country Music Festival, also held annually at London’s O2 Arena growing to include stops at Dublin’s The O2 and Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium.

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

As the lights dim tonight, it’s not “Lady A” or members of their usual band that play the first notes, but instead latest additions (borrowed from Justin Timberlake we’re later told) Dontae Winslow on trumpet and Regiment Horns man Sean Erick on trombone before Kelley, Scott, Haywood and their band appear on stage, diving straight into US Platinum hit single Downtown.

Dontae Winslow (Kalpesh Patel)

Dontae Winslow (Kalpesh Patel)

“This is the last stop on the tour and we couldn’t be in a more beautiful city” Scott yells at her audience before encouraging the crowd to take over vocal duties, the horns adding extra show to the massive production. Early hit single Our Kind Of Love is next, the trio breaking up to make their way across the breadth of the massive O2 Arena stage.

Sean Erick (Kalpesh Patel)

Sean Erick (Kalpesh Patel)

And while tonight might well be the last night of the group’s current tour, it’s a testament to Hillary Scott who continues to ooze energy despite begin some five months pregnant now, and with twins we’re later told, her husband Chris Tyrell hiding bashfully behind his drum kit during this reveal.

Chris Tyrrell of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Chris Tyrrell of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

“This next song we’re going to do for you is our single right now here in the UK” Scott yells, introducing Heart Break song This City, as the giant screen backdrop lights up with a faux neon sign emblazoned with the words ‘Welcome to London’. 2011 ballad Dancin’ Away With My Heart follows before the new album’s title track gets an airing.

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

“I was just getting warmed up London” Kelley booms as the stomping beat of Golden single Compass rings out, mandolin helping accentuate the Country twang of the 2013 song which belnds straight into 2011 single We Owned The Night, Kelley encouraging The O2 audience to sing out the song.

Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

“This is one of our favourite moments of the show” Scott says over the slow beat of American Honey, describing where each of the band are from in the US. “There’s nothing cooler than hearing y’all sing this back to us here in the UK” she continues, Kelley and Scott making use of the audience’s vocal abilities, pointing their mics at the arena.

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Kelley’s husky voice kicks off 2012 single Wanted You More before the group acknowledge and pay tribute to those lost in the attack on Country Music Festival Route 91 Harvest just two weeks ago – “This was our first number 1 ever in the States, if we can all lift our voices, we must send this to everyone in Vegas” Kelley calls out before the opening lines of I Run To You.

Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

“I can’t believe this is the last show, it’s kinda blowing my mind” Kelley admits. “If I end up crying tonight, I want y’all to know I’m really tough usually” the lumberjack-plaid wearing singer confesses to chuckles from the audience as Haywood switches out his guitar for an upright piano for gospel-tinged new album cut Good Time To Be Alive, Kelley taking time out to introduce the group’s band, including handing over a massive drum solo to Tyrell.

Jason "Slim" Gambill of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Jason “Slim” Gambill of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Stripping back to just the core trio, Jon Green-penned Heart Break cut Hurt is played simply with Kelley and Scott’s vocals accompanying Haywood’s piano, the stripped-back rendition heartfelt and chilling as it rings out across the vast arena. Support acts Brett Young and Kelsea Ballerini come out to join Lady A for a rendition of Shania Twain country classic You’re Still The One, the tour comradery of the five clear on this final night as Kelley encourages the crowd to light up the arena with their mobile phone torches.

Kelsea Ballerini (Kalpesh Patel)

Kelsea Ballerini (Kalpesh Patel)

“We’re just getting warmed up, we’ve got a long night for you” Kelley teases a good hour into the set, before kicking off 2011 ballad Just A Kiss, the crowd eager to continue swaying along with the slow tunes for the time being.

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Hit 2014 single Bartender ups the tempo before first single Love Don’t Live Here closes out the main set, Kelley jumping down onto the arena floor and singing from various locations in the crowd, leaving the London crowd wanting more. And the American hit makers deliver, returning to the stage for biggest hit Need You Now. And rather than closing out the show with one of their own massive hits, the group treat the audience to a cover of the late Tom Petty’s Learning To Fly, the recent loss of yet another musical legend still a fresh wound in the music world.

Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

In any other world, tonight is a masterclass in a putting on a crowd-pleasing pop show. But this is Country, and as a Country show it rarely gets bigger than this, and for good reason. There are no massive sets, confetti cannons, fireworks, surprise guests or other gimmicks to draw out the show. Tonight is simply about the music and indeed, Lady Antebellum have issues squeezing in enough of their hit-laden back catalogue to please everyone, barely touching their last two albums Golden and 747.

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

L-R: Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Kalpesh Patel)

Live review of Lady Antebellum @ The O2 Arena by Kalpesh Patel on 10th October 2017.

 

https://rockshotmagazine.com/29356/kelsea-ballerini-o2-arena/

Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...
The Raven Age @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)

Heirs To The Throne? The Raven Age Blaze Their Own Trail Supporting Iron Maiden At The London Stadium

On a scorching June evening that would culminate with the almighty Iron Maiden setting London Stadium ablaze, the...
Olivia Rodrigo @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Sophia Carey)

Olivia Rodrigo Proves That London Is Her Favourite City At BST Hyde Park 2025

British Summer Time is officially underway in Hyde Park, and the unbearable heatwave will continue to remind us all of...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing