Standing room only in Buffalo for Tim McGraw

No stranger to Western New York, Tim McGraw brought his energy back to Buffalo on May 4, rocking the KeyBank Center. Playing in the region for the first time in 5 years, McGraw’s Tour of standing rooms only ’24 the tour featured Carly Pearce and rising star Abby Anderson as openers.

Like many other areas, Western New York took a liking to country music and Tim McGraw played concerts over the years in Buffalo, Darien Lake, Rochester and Canandaigua, often on the same tour. With five premier venues, from Buffalo to Canandaigua, there is no shortage of fans and places to play.

Taking the stage after Abby Anderson’s brief set, Carly Pearce introduced herself to the enthusiastic Buffalo crowd. With the hockey and football seasons having been over for a while, Buffalonians needed something to keep them energized and Pearce did his part. She even joked about illegal activities in Buffalo. Apparently, wearing slippers in public after 10 p.m. is illegal, as is throwing a ball at an unexpected person’s head.

Since breaking out with “Every Little Thing” in 2017, Pearce has been a mainstay on country charts and stations across the country. While the thirty-four-year-old has her own style and sound, it’s very reminiscent of the ’90s country sounds of Faith Hill, Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert, with some vindictive tones. This is the case with “What He Didn’t Do”. The song is about a breakup and the different sides of the story. Even though she won’t say he did it, she will tell you what he didn’t do. Pearce urges fans that if they’re in a relationship and wondering why they’re in it, it’s time to get out. Applause and cheers fill the arena as Pearce stands there, teary-eyed and grinning from ear to ear.

It’s just dirty laundry
I don’t need to tell the truth
So I’m not going to tell you everything he did
But I’ll tell you what he didn’t do

Having worked with some A-list names over the past few years, including Chirs Stapelton, Ashley McBryde and Leann Rimes, Pearce has paid his dues and won all the accolades. Honors included are the 2018 CMT Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year for “Every Little Thing” and the 2021 CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Keep an eye on this talented musician as her career continues to gain momentum.

Setlist: Diamondback, Next Girl, Easy Going, Never Wanted to Be That Girl, Let’s Go to Vegas (cover by F. Hill), We Don’t Fight Anymore, Every Little Thing, Country Music Made Me Do It, Truck on Fire, What He didn’t, I hope you’re happy now

After a brief intermission, fans continued to fill the arena as the lights dimmed and a solid red backdrop illuminated the stage. Suddenly, a gargantuan figure of a man wearing his famous Stetson hat appears and appears to be a role model for the crowd. The crowd erupts as the backdrop fades and Tim McGraw takes the stage in Buffalo for the first time since 2019.

A timeless classic, McGraw wears his typical Stetson hat, tight jeans and a torn shirt. A GQ cover song, some might say, is touring to promote its new album Standing Places Onlyreleased in summer 2023

With nearly 30 years of music to choose from, the singer/actor delivers an impeccable setlist of classics and new music, with a stunning light show and animated sets changing for each song to tell the story.

As the set begins, fans are treated to a powerful rendition of “Truck Yeah,” a song about life as a Southern boy. The old man takes up life on the farm and the pursuit of the girl with thunderous music.

Rap or country, farm in town
No matter who you are
I have a little fight, I have a little love
You have a little redneck in your blood
Are you one of us?

“Southern Voice” and “All I Want is a Life” round out the top three, and the crowd is just starting to warm up. Going word for word and matching the energy of each song is the game tonight. If only the Sabers could learn something about matching energies.

As I walk away to put away my camera gear and find my seat, the Buffalo faithful are serenaded with a bluesy version of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” There aren’t many Elton songs that can be covered properly, but I’ll be damned if McGraw didn’t take it to another level.

As the set continues, McGraw takes a moment to let the crowd know that he doesn’t talk much during his shows. Explaining why, he says he is married and has daughters. He knows no one will listen to him anyway.

Moving on, with songs like “One Bad Habit” and “Watch the Wind Blow By,” the background screen plays videos and images of Tim and his wife, Faith Hill, a testament to his undying love for his wife. Married since 1996, they are experiencing the marriage that Ross and Rachel only dreamed of. A fairytale wedding that has stood the test of time and fame.

Playing the title track from his most recent album, it’s a song about life and making the most of everything. Getting angry at things that don’t matter won’t get you anywhere, you have to face the challenges and make people envious.

I live a life so when I die
It’s standing room only, standing room only
Standing room only, standing room only

To complete his set, Tim comes out for a 3 song encore preceded by a video montage of the 1883 series, which featured him and his wife. As a result, “The Cowboy in Me” opened the show, followed by “Humble and Kind” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” “Humble and Kind”, although released by McGraw, was written by Lori McKenna as a song for her children about everything she wanted her children to know. McGraw was able to add new melodies to it and took it to the top in 2015. The following year, however, McKenna released it on her album.

“Live Like You Were Dying” was released in 2004 and, although never confirmed, is about someone who suffered from a debilitating illness. Singing about all the things you never got the chance to do or kept putting off for whatever reason, and now you have to find a way to cross those things off the to-do list. A powerful and moving song to close the set which undoubtedly left some fans in tears.

Growing up, I was never a fan of country music. My whole family listened to it, except me. I was reluctant to attend a Tim McGraw show in 2004 as a marital bargaining chip. This show really changed my view of country music going forward. Watching Tim and Faith on stage and the breadth of their talents was something to marvel at. Powerful, thoughtful lyrics and incredible stage presence hooked me and now, 20 years later, it’s happening. The world works in mysterious ways.

Tim McGraw’s setlist: Truck Yeah, Southern Voice, All I Want Is a Life, Tiny Dancer (Elton John), Just To See You Smile, Over and Over/Shotgun Rider, One Bad Habit, Watch the Wind Blow By, Something Like That, Where the Green Grass Grows, Standing Room Only, Red Ragtop, Highway Don’t Care (feat. Taylor Swift), I Love It, I Love It, It Felt Good on My Lips, A Real Good Man

Still: 1883 video footage, The cowboy in me, humble and kind, live as if you were dying