AMERICANA hero Chris Stapleton turned London’s cavernous O2 arena into a rip-roaring Nashville barn party on the final night of his sold out UK tour.
Armed with his trusty cowboy hat, trademark big beard and even bigger voice, he sang tales of love, heartache and good old fashioned booze-ups.
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There were no gimmicks, just immaculate guitar work and that distinctive gravelly croon as he opened with White Horse, the rousing first single for latest album Higher.
A man of few words, Stapleton declared early on in his muffled southern drawl that there wouldn’t be much talking as he had a lot of music to get through.
And he dutifully worked his way through a stellar songbook that effortlessly switched between heart-rending ballads and meaty blues-rock riffs.
None were as heavy as his rocking homage to late American music legend Tom Petty in the form of cover I Should Have Known It, with its pulverising drums and thunderous guitar lines.
There were plenty of sweet moments in between the more muscular tracks as he traded lines and melodies with wife and muse, Morgane, who performs as part of his skilled band.
Tracks from Higher were received as well as previous set staples like Cold, Parachute and the song that started it all a decade ago, Traveller.
Mid-set solo acoustic renditions of Whiskey and You and Mountains of My Mind showcased the full range of Stapleton’s vocal talents, while recent single Think I’m In Love With You allowed Stapleton’s sexier side to shine with its slinky vocal hook.
During a rare anecdote, Stapleton explained how a British fan had told him he danced to debut album track More of You on his wedding day.
He proceeded to play the tender song in a wholesome tribute, leaving the thousands and thousands in attendance – many of which were dressed in cowboy hats and boots – hanging off the ballad’s every word.
Fan favourites Broken Halos and Tennessee Whiskey, another wedding song staple, sparked rousing singalongs late into the two-hour set.
To quote the great man’s best-loved song, this five star performance left everybody feeling as ‘warm as a glass of brandy’.
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