Kane Brown is one of the biggest stars in country music at the moment. Such is a testament to his influence that he managed to sell out Qudos Bank Arena after only announcing his Australian tour a few months prior. With a discography spanning over a decade, and only one prior tour to Australia, the crowd was buzzing as Brown hit the stage, after superb opening acts from Kaylee Bell and Kameron Marlowe. 

Interestingly, Brown started off his set with two of his biggest hits, being his collaborations “One Thing Right” and “What Ifs”. But the set really began to gain momentum with his song “I Can Feel It”, which morphed into a cover of Phil Collins “In The Air Tonight”. Brown’s twang-filled vocals really shone through in this mashup and for the first time, the audience got to experience the beauty of the set, with exquisite lighting shrouding Brown in darkness, leaving only his leather jacket in full and focal view, creating a wonderful effect. 

Brown then moved over to his second stage at the rear of the floor to perform some of his slower, acoustic numbers. He began this part of the set with a powerful and poignant message about his journey to the Qudos Bank Arena stage. 

“I came from nothing, I was bullied at school and I experienced racism,” he said. “And if there is a kid here who doesn’t like the clothes they wear, just know I was the same and now I’m playing on the other side of the world.”

His acoustic performance was arguably the best part of the night, showing off the lyricism and penchant for storytelling that is innate in Brown’s voice. His rendition of “Homesick” was absolutely stunning, showing a sensitivity to Brown that much of his newer material, deliberately or otherwise, eschews. His latest single “Backseat Driver” also bucked the trend, being a love letter to his children, performed with a great deal of heart and grit that connected strongly with the audience. 

As Brown moved back to the main stage, he transitioned back into the more ‘fusion’ style of country that he has become known for in recent years. His rendition of “Miles On It” had the whole crowd singing along as strands of mid-show confetti filled the air before he brought out Marlowe and Bell for an impromptu performance of Chris Young’s “Famous Friends”, which resulted in a well-deserved ovation. 

Brown was earnest in his dialogue and in his connection with the audience. He seemed genuinely happy to be in a large arena on the other side of the world, full of thousands of his adoring fans.

“I’m a nobody and still feel like a nobody,” he said. “Thank y’all for being here for me and for welcoming me into y’all’s country.”

As Brown reached the end of his relatively short set, he saved arguably his biggest song for the conclusion. Performing “Heaven”, he captured the entire room with his broad country sound, performing the song that made him the artist he is today. He ended on a feel-good note (with yet more confetti) with “Like I Love Country Music” which showed the richness of Brown’s baritone voice (a rarity in the modern music industry) and left the audience on a buzz as they left the venue. 

Overall, this was a great performance by Brown and a night which showcased country music at its finest. Brown may not have the absolute best voice in the country music world, but he connects with audiences deeply and meaningfully and this concert was a testament to that. Given Australia’s love of country music, it will undoubtedly not be long until Brown returns. 

Rating: ★★★★1/2

Kane Brown – Qudos Bank Arena – 19^th November 2024