The Year of Concerts (#23): Kip Moore
There's just something about Kip
Kip Moore is brilliant live. Review finished.
I've seen Kip twice now, and the man has left me practically speechless both times. Like when I saw Chris Stapleton a few years ago, Kip's show relies not on flashing lights and screens but on simply letting his music do the talking.
Kip just has... something … that puts him a step above many of his contemporaries. I've gone to many concerts over the years – impressive concerts. But when I leave a Kip Moore show, it's like his music and performance hit me on a higher level. It sounds hokey, but there really is something special about his music for me – whether it's his storytelling lyrical style, his unique voice or his affable stage presence.
Or perhaps it's his unique connection to his fans.
Near the show's end, he shared that he has dealt with ear issues since childhood. He said the condition could end his career prematurely, and he admitted he was in a lot of pain and couldn't hear much that night, including himself. He thanked the fans for helping him sing.
Now, I don't think I heard a single off-pitch note in his performance. And he sang with the same emotion he always does. And there he was, pouring his heart out, being vulnerable, and acting like his performance was less than his fans deserved.
No, Kip. It was a killer performance.
If there was one area that seemed affected by his health, it was the setlist. Kip was touring his newest album, the superb "Damn Love" (see my review here). However, the setlist did not feature many newer tracks – only the title track, "Peace & Love" and "Heart on Fire." I expected to hear more, including the single "My Kinda Bar" and personal favorite "Neon Blue."
I've learned he played both songs at a show a few days prior, plus "Mr. Simple." This is more in line with what I expected, considering the number of "Wild World" tracks he played on that album's tour.
Instead, the setlist was heavy on some of Kip's older tracks, including 10 from his debut album "Up All Night," four each from "Slowheart" and "Wild Ones," and two from "Wild World."
The fans ate up songs like "Wild Ones," "She's Mine" and "Come and Get It," with their energy and dancing noticeable. Two guys to my right were simply losing their minds during "She's Mine," singing and dancing enthusiastically. I love seeing that at a show. [Stop just standing motionless at concerts. Enjoy yourself!]
In the middle of the show, he played an extended acoustic set with his keyboardist, which his hearing troubles might explain. It was an intimate set that included "Everything But You," "Faith When I Fall," "Complicated," "Hey Pretty Girl" and soundtrack song "Lead Me" (which I had to look up because it was never on my radar.)
His encore featured another acoustic song – "Guitar Man" – which hung a bit heavier and more poignant after Kip's admission of performing in pain.
"One for the road
For the guitar man
Yeah, the fruits of my labors
When the crowds sing along
Nothing short of a savior
Still, I go home alone."
While it wasn’t the setlist I expected, it was one I appreciated experiencing. Kip Moore puts on a simply perfect show as far as I’m concerned. There’s just … something…. about Kip.
Incredible talent.
Damn Love
Peace & Love
Crazy One More Time
Wild Ones
Up All Night
Beer Money
Southpaw
Dirt Road
She’s Mine
Separate Ways
Reckless (Still Growin’ Up)
Everything But You (Acoustic)
Lead Me (Acoustic)
Faith When I Fall (Acoustic)
Complicated
Hey Pretty Girl (Acoustic)
That Was Us
Fly Again
More Girls Like You
Heart on Fire
The Bull
Heart’s Desire
Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck
Come and Get It
Last Shot
Guitar Man
After the pandemic stopped live music for about two years, I decided I wouldn’t pass up a live concert I wanted to see again. That means I have more than 20 concerts planned for this year - with more to come. I will chronicle my year of live music.