It surely was an “Unforgettable” night at the Very Hot Summer Tour at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ! The night started out with Rhett Akins, who people know as Thomas Rhett’s father. He performed several of the songs he wrote for other artists, including “Dirt on My Boots” sung by Jon Pardi, “Boys ‘Round Here” sung by Blake Shelton and “When She Says Baby” by Jason Aldean. Akins also performed two of his own songs.
Next was Russell Dickerson, who won people’s hearts with “Yours.” Dickerson was looking like a Backstreet Boy out of the “I Want it that Way” music video with an all white outfit. Other popular songs from his setlist included “Every Little Thing” and “Blue Tacoma.” Dickerson ended his setlist getting the whole crowd jumping with a mashup of “MGNO/Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston cover).”
With his infamous cowboy hat, Dustin Lynch got the crowd “Seein’ Red.” Lynch also sang his hits “One Hell of a Night,” “Small Town Boy” and “Good Girl.” He took the audience on his country journey, starting as a young boy who fell in love with at Alan Jackson old school country, singing “Chattahoochee,” then getting introduced to the music of Tim McGraw, singing “Something Like That,” moving to Nashville at 18, singing “What Was I Thinkin’” by Dierks Bently, and finally after singing each night at honky tonks in Nashville, joining his first tour opening up for Keith Urban, singing “Somebody Like You.”
At last, Thomas Rhett popped on stage (literally!) to the cheering crowd and opened with his new single “Look What God Gave Her.” Other hits he sang in the first half of his setlist included “Crash and Burn, “Craving You” and his original hit “Make Me Wanna” paired with Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie.” During his hit “Sixteen,” he invited a girl from the front row who was celebrating her Sweet Sixteen to sing the last verse of the song with him! Rhett even performed a very highly requested song of his new album, Cedar Point Road, called “Notice.” Midway through his show, Thomas Rhett ran through the crowd singing “Life Changes” took the second stage at the back of the amphitheatre and serenaded the audience on the lawn with “Star of the Show,” “That Old Truck” and a cover of Florida Georgia Line’s “Round Here.” Rhett made sure he touched as many hands possible in the crowd and even took a selfie with a lucky young lady! Moving back to the main stage, Rhett Akins, Russell Dickerson and Dustin Lynch joined Thomas Rhett on stage, beers in hand and sang “Beer Can’t Fix.” It’s not a country concert unless someone is drinking onstage! Rhett’s donned the perfect complement to the song, an orange and white hat with the saying ‘Cold Drinks.’ Rhett finished out the night with a drum solo, and popular hits “Vacation,” “Marry Me,” “Die A Happy Man,” “Unforgettable” and “T-Shirt.”
Overall, the Very Hot Summer Tour was a blast! The crowd was jumping, swaying and grooving to each song! The night moved along very smoothly between each artist’s set. Although this was a country show, Rhett’s music appeals to the pop, alternative and rock lovers alike. No song sounds the same and each one tells the story of his love for his wife, his daughters, and everyday things like going on vacation, wearing someone else’s t-shirt (*wink wink*) and longing to be older. He is able to relate to teenagers and senior citizens, and that was shown in the diversity of his audience. Even the little kids were singing along and clapping their hands! Although he is a huge country artist, he appears as a down-to-earth and casual gentlemen who exudes his love and passion for music. At the end of the night, the crowd left the show talking about the “Unforgettable” night they had spent with Thomas Rhett and his opening acts! Rhett’s Very Hot Summer tour goes all the way to October 2019, so catch him at a city near you!