Dierks Bentley, Country Music Take Over the Tabernacle in Atlanta
Any singer who steps out on stage to face a crowd that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder for 90 uncomfortable, sweaty minutes while being bombarded with cell phone advertisements has his work cut out for him. Fortunately, the tired and overheated crowd that had come to the Tabernacle in Atlanta last night was there to see Dierks Bentley, and by the time the first song had ended, Bentley had the crowd fully re-energized.
Backed with a four-piece band that is notable for its stellar steel guitar/banjo/Dobro player Tim Sergent, Bentley ripped through many of his hits as well as the current singles from his new album, Feel That Fire. I’d never seen Bentley live before, and two things stood out immediately; one, almost every song sounded like it belonged at a country music show, a rarity among country chart-toppers. Even on the rocking songs like “Sideways,” the steel and lead guitar kept the song from falling into the rock abyss. The only songs that didn’t fit were the ballads like “I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes,” which veered more into pop-country. They were well-sung, but not quite in keeping with the rest of the performance.
And two: Bentley ranks right up there with country music’s top entertainers. The Tabernacle, a former church that’s now an indie rock haven, has a massive stage, and he ran, jumped and sauntered over every inch of it. With Bentley’s stage antics and banter, the lighting and the video screens, it was a headline-act stadium-show performance in a mid-sized venue. He even added “Better Believer” to the setlist just for this show, saying it was the first time the band had played it live but that it best fit the church-with-a-bar setting. Other standouts included “Every Mile A Memory” and, naturally, “What Was I Thinking.”
He ended his show after about 75 minutes and came back for a three-song encore that covered the holy trinity of George Strait, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. The crowd, which was probably 80 to 90 percent 30 and under, sang along with just about every song. Those who were lucky enough to get in, that is. The concert, which was sponsored by Samsung as part of the Summer Krush concert series, was free to anyone who printed out vouchers. Judging by the line of people waiting around the block to get into the place, Bentley could have filled it twice with ease.
With four albums under his belt and a polished stage presence, Bentley is at the point where he has to be considered for Entertainer of the Year nominations and headline act status. If he can get a crowd of young people cheering for a hot steel guitar solo or a Jennings song, it’s a step forward for country music if it happens.
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18 Comments
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August 20, 2009 at 8:50 am Permalink
This is heartening.
August 20, 2009 at 9:08 am Permalink
I’ve liked Bentley for awhile, but his last album didn’t do much for me. I saw him opening for George Strait back in 2005, and despite being way up in the very top seat in the nosebleed section, his stage presence still came across back then. The only other time I’ve seen him was at Big State Festival in 2007 and I didn’t enjoy any of the acts on that stage due to the sound, but I heard the showmanship was really impressive.
August 20, 2009 at 9:22 am Permalink
Yeah, his last album doesn’t do anything for me either, but I’m still a fan. It usually takes two albums in a row that I don’t like for me to jump ship, at least until the artist makes a good album again.
August 20, 2009 at 9:25 am Permalink
I had a chance to see him here in Bangor (of all places), but by the time I heard about it, the seats were bad. I’m horrible about knowing what’s coming here until it’s just about too late. I probably should have still gone though.
August 20, 2009 at 9:37 am Permalink
The first time I saw him live, was probably the same tour as when Brady saw him with George Strait. And like Brady, though I was at the top of the Sommet Center, I could tell he could put on a show from up there. I’ve seen him plenty of times since, be it at Fan Fair, or smaller stages, and i’ve never walked away without my moneys worth.
August 20, 2009 at 9:55 am Permalink
I’ve seen Dierks several times too and have enjoyed it every time. The dude just has that stage swagger about him.
I’m a little disheartened at the whole sitting through 90 minutes of cell phone commercials thing since I’m going to the Krush in Nashville. At least the Opry House has seats, though.
August 20, 2009 at 9:58 am Permalink
I saw him open for Brad Paisley earlier this year and I came away with a lot of the same impressions as Sam. I think “Sideways” works a lot better live and that’s probably why I have a more favorable view of it than some – the first time I ever heard it was live.
August 20, 2009 at 10:31 am Permalink
I seen him open for Brad as well earlier this year. He could work the stage like the best of them and didn’t need any video screens or other theatrics. He’s already a proven headliner, his ‘lock and loaded’ tour was a success in 2006. I see a long career ahead of him and he will only get bigger and more respected, and I think country music is in good hands with him around.
August 20, 2009 at 10:51 am Permalink
Pierce, what you’ll see is a giant screen where people can text messages and have it appear on the screen, graffiti-style. If I was seated and there was air conditioning, I wouldn’t have minded it. There’s comedic value to watching a bunch of college-age white people texting things like “Fo drizzle” and “Whassssssssssup.”
August 20, 2009 at 11:26 am Permalink
Oooh this makes me want to see him again. I too fell in love with Dierks during the George Strait concert (from nosebleed seats) and I’ve seen him six times since, the last being in February of this year. I’m due again. This review really captures everything about him and the band!
August 20, 2009 at 2:57 pm Permalink
Dierks is the best! I’ve seen him in concert many times and he keeps on getting better.
Dierks “gonna be driving a ” Bentley Rocks!!!
Great Article!
August 20, 2009 at 3:19 pm Permalink
Thank you for this review! Dierks is a born showman and, like many previous EOTY winners, he is the kind of guy who is constantly thinking about how to make his live show better. Unlike many other artists he is an avid concert go-er and he does his research- watching the greats and the up-and-comings alike.
Plus… he’s a nice guy. I respect him. I wish him all the success in the world because he is the real deal.
August 20, 2009 at 5:59 pm Permalink
I’ve seen him live and he definitely has the stage presence. But his vocals weren’t what I expected, although my expectations were real high… when it comes to studio/album voices, he’s male vocalist of the year worthy.
August 20, 2009 at 7:10 pm Permalink
I was there and you captured it perfectly, Sam! Thanks for the favorable review on Dierks. The 9513 is rarely so positive about DB. He is my all time favorite artist–I drove 8 hours both ways to see him at The Tabernacle and would do it again in a heartbeat. I especially agree with this statement: “With four albums under his belt and a polished stage presence, Bentley is at the point where he has to be considered for Entertainer of the Year nominations and headline act status.” Thank you! He’s due!
August 21, 2009 at 12:21 pm Permalink
Sorry people, I must be missing something! I saw him this year and I didn’t think his concert was that good. His voice is grating too!
August 23, 2009 at 2:10 pm Permalink
What a great review of the show and that’s great for you to say that he’s EOTY worthy! Whether he ever gets nominated and wins or not in the future doesn’t matter to me..he will always be the EOTY in my eyes! He’s too great for his fans and sure enough goes out of his way for us.
Like Ronna, he is my favorite artist as well! I’ve been pretty lucky to have him come near my area a good bit over the last few years and haven’t had to drive too awful far, but if it wasn’t for work and classes starting back or was on a weekend then I sure would have drove the 6 hrs to Atlanta to see him!
August 29, 2009 at 9:18 pm Permalink
dierks, steve, robbie, rod and tim are awesome live!!!! i always have soooo much fun at their concerts. they’re all such talented musicians!!
Free and Easy Down the Road I Go is my favorite song and is so much fun when they play it live!!
September 24, 2009 at 12:01 pm Permalink
I think dierks and his band are really great live……but i do have a few other comments too.
First, i really,really dislike bluegrass music. When they play it in their live show, its time for a bathroom or beer break.
Second, i agree. This last cd just doesn’t do it for me. His music is starting to sound like the same old song done again and again and again. I hope the next cd sounds like dierks but is also a progression!
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