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| Dierks Bentley @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
The Shoreline Amphitheater's summer concert series once again welcomed
Dierks Bentley this past Friday night. He and his band have been out promoting their latest album called
The Mountain (iTunes), and calling the tour "The Mountain High Tour". They rolled into Mountain View, CA along with
Lanco and
Brothers Osborne as supporting acts. As Dierks is wrapping up his tour, each act will go their separate ways after a night at the famed Hollywood Bowl in southern California. We were glad they all came our way together, because they all brought with them such similar, yet diverse parts of the genre of country music. They each seemed to bring their own fanbase, as well. A lot of young girls came for Lanco, the southern rock and rollers came for Brothers Osborne, and I think everyone was there to see & hear Dierks. They all stayed until the end, too, even those up on the lawn.
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| Dierks' Warm-Up Band (Photo: Ken McCain) |
It seems to be a tradition that Bentley brings along a certain band which tend to dress in silly outfits, wigs, sunglasses, and all. As the warmup act, they play some well known songs and have a ball doing it on stage. Many in the crowd have no idea who they are, but a few are privy to their true identities.
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| Lanco @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
Lanco was the first of the opening bands. They're relatively new to the scene, but have been doing extremely well with their first EP,
Hallelujah Nights (iTunes), hitting the top of the US Country chart with their song "Greatest Love Story". They seem to be a cross-over country-pop group that really rocks live on stage. As the first of three bands for the night they had a short set, yielding about 6-7 songs. They are up-and-comers with a polished stage show. We'll be on the lookout for them the next time around. I'm sure they'll be back soon.
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| Brothers Osborne @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
With a change of the stage and a flick of the lights, the next group was up to take the stage. And, wow, were they ready to blow everyone out of their seats! Brothers Osborne are an American country duo, and tour as a 6-piece group. Comprised mainly of brothers T.J. Osborne (lead vocals) and John Osborne (guitar, background vocals) they have been killing it for the last few years on the road. They have one EP,
Brothers Osborne (iTunes), and two LPs,
Pawn Shop (iTunes) and
Port Saint Joe (iTunes). Yet, despite only having a few years as working musicians, they're gaining major attention, winning CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year twice in a row, along with the same award through the Academy of Country Music. They are twice nominated for Grammy Awards. Sold on them yet? I am! And you won't need a lot of convincing once you hear these guys play. They are tight and right in the vein of Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynard, and Chris Stapleton. Brother John is an amazing guitarist. He plays a mean down home southern blues style, with a straight-away attack. He doesn't mess around. With about 45 minutes for their set, they were able to knock out a few more than a half dozen songs. They will be headlining their own stuff in no time, and they'll continue on with their own tour after SoCal to head east and on up into Canada, the Midwest, then off to the UK.
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| Dierks Bentley @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
Bentley and band hit the stage right about 9pm and played for nearly two straight hours. Bentley is no stranger to the Shoreline Amphitheater. He was here just over a year ago when I saw him for the first time. All of his hits were back with a few new ones. The Grammy award nominated performer has such a long list of tunes, two hours doesn't seem to give him or us enough time. My favorites and everyone else's ended up in the setlist, the crowd singing along with every note. I found myself doin' the same. Dancing wasn't an option, it just happened.
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| Dierks Bentley @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
His return to Mountain View had a similar moment with the last visit. Bentley took a break from the main stage and ventured out into the crowd. He rounded the lower seating level, ending up in the middle of the venue. A 'B stage' was setup where lights and a mic were waiting. Pulling one male fan up with him, they did a beer 'shotgun contest' -- another moment that seems to happen at a lot of his shows. He spoke to the crowd about how they loved coming to our amphitheater, and how it was different from all the others they play. He then began by himself with an acoustic guitar on the uplifting song “Riser”. He played a second song from the 'B stage' with the full band remaining on the main stage. All eyes were on Bentley as he sang and played.
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| Dierks Bentley @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
Of course, no Dierks Bentley concert is quite complete without the chart-topping, platinum certified, up-tempo song “Drunk on a Plane”. This year was a different setup, where last year he had a 737 fuselage on stage, this year he was on a lighting rig in the shape of a plane, and moving up and down, while banking left and right. I'm not sure if he was tied to the rigging or not, but he was on and off that thing so quick I have to wonder. I hope that many of you have seen Dierks Bentley either on this tour or the last, and if not, try to see him next time they come around. He brings top-notch talent with him, and you might just get lucky and get to shotgun a beer with him.
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