Nada's Country: Artists You Must See Live

By: Nada

I go to concerts. A lot. I’ve driven to nearby cities and driven back the same night to make it back to work by 4 a.m. Multiple times.

That is not what you’d call adulting. Actually, it’s the very opposite of adulting. I didn’t pay bills or take vitamins or clean my kitchen floors. However, let’s at least give me some credit for the making-it-to-work-on-time level of responsibility.

My point being: I love live music. So after Bobby put together a list of Country artists you need to see in concert, I was like a giddy little kid who just found a Pokestop outside my house. (Pause: I never played Pokemon and have no idea what a gym or Pokestop is, but I figured all the little kids not reading this blog would appreciate the shout out to Pikachu.)

While most of his choices would be on my list, too, I wanted to put together a list of my all-time favorite Country and non-Country shows. I am, as Bobby says, the “Cool One,” however much I disagree with it, but you can use that as some small version of authority on the subject.

Kings Of Leon:

This is my favorite band, and their live shows are not to be missed. For real for real. It’s one of those make-you-wanna-ugly-cry experiences (or is that just me? Ok). And the fact that they’re releasing new music makes this all the more wonderful because that means they’ll be touring and you can test my opinion.

Little Big Town:

These are some of the best humans. And let’s not forget that one time they brought Pharrell into our studio. I’ve been lucky to see them on stages like the Ryman (historic Mother Church of Country Music — if ya don’t know, now ya know), in my face in the studio, and in arenas. Every. Single. Time. They are too-too good and the girls are #goals in every aspect of the word. Basically can I just be them?

Coldplay:

There are two types of people in the world: those who love Coldplay and those who don’t and could never be my friend. I’ve only seen them once, sadly, but it was a whole damn experience complete with huge balloons, confetti, light-up bracelets, and Chris Martin. Need I say more?

twenty one pilots:

These guys are a two-man band that do everything from play ukulele, piano and drums, to climbing the stage in the middle of songs to rile you up. They sometimes play shows in masks and their energy is unreal! I’ve seen them probably six times so I know what I’m talking about.

Shania Twain:

I feel like adding Shania to this list is kinda sorta unfair. Not that she shouldn’t be on this list, because she should — in fact I basically almost peed my pants and cried while watching her for the first time ever in concert last year (and by almost I mean I did). But for real, Shania is queen. ​​​​