Saturday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino was built for country fans who like their music with a little extra distortion. Brantley Gilbert brought his Real American Tour to The Event Center in Verona on September 26, leaving the crowd with a night to remember. The combination of country grit, rock driven energy, and a packed Event Center made it clear from the start that this wouldn’t be an ordinary Saturday night.
Kicking off the night was Alabama native Jay Webb who took the stage shortly after 7 p.m. Webb is still a newer name to some country music fans, but his sound is anything but easy to place into one category. His original song “Bury Me With Bourbon,” resonated with fans quickly as the crowd continued to pour in. His rise was fueled from viral videos on TikTok in 2022 with the songs “Down Here,” and “Broken” quickly allowing him to make a name for himself. His gritty storytelling throughout the night combined with some alternative and even hip hop made his diversity very welcoming to the fans. At one point he threw everyone off with his own rendition of Flo Rida’s “Low.” His mix of different styles and genres established the tone for the evening, proving that it wasn’t going to be a quiet night.
Following Webb’s performance was North Carolina native John Morgan. Where Webb brought more of an alternative edge, Morgan settled more directly into modern country. His song “Kid Myself” quickly resonated with the crowd, with fans already appearing familiar with the lyrics. His heartfelt style gave the venue something immediately relatable, built around stories of relationships, small-town life and the kind of everyday experiences that translate naturally from headphones to a live setting.
Morgan also arrived at Turning Stone with plenty of momentum surrounding his career. Just one day before the show, he released his new song “Cry Baby,” adding another chapter to a career that has been gaining momentum quickly. He grew up playing bluegrass with his family before eventually becoming a Nashville songwriter and recording artist. His debut album, Carolina Blue, introduced a wider audience to his blend of traditional country storytelling, including his No. 1 hit “Friends Like That,” featuring Jason Aldean.
By the time Morgan wrapped up his set, Turning Stone had filled in completely, with the crowd settling in for the night’s headliner. After the stage was set, eyes were glued to the stage. The lights went dark and screams filled the event center. Brantley Gilbert and the band came out to the stage through a thick cloud of smoke and thousands of fans cheered in unison. Brantley wasted no time getting things started, kicking off his set with “Real American.” Hands flew in the air as fans sang along word for word. Guitarists Spencer Waasdorp, Noah Henson, and Adam Curry kept things tight on guitar, alternating shredding solos at the front of the stage.
From there, Gilbert kept his foot on the gas, rolling straight into a set packed with the hard edged country rock that has defined his career. Songs like “Kick It In The Sticks,” and “Country Must Be Country Wide.” kept the energy high as fans seemed to know every lyric. He also shifted gears frequently throughout his set with slower songs like “Bottoms Up,” and “Dirt Road Anthem.” The catalog gave Brantley plenty of room to change the mood without ever losing the crowd.
Between songs Gilbert took a moment to speak directly to the crowd, expressing his love and appreciation for veterans and active duty members of the military. He recalled meeting a man during the pre show meet and greet who had served in the military and had been wounded in combat. Gilbert then pointed him out in the crowd where he was seated near the front with his daughter, and recognized him as a Purple Heart recipient. The moment drew a warm response from the audience and added a more personal, heartfelt pause to the set. He went on to dedicate “One Hell Of An Amen” to veterans and service members.
The show of patriotism didn’t stop there as Gilbert followed with a powerful cover of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” Fans sang along as they held swayed their phone lights back and forth through the air.
He continued opening up to the crowd, speaking about his past struggles with addiction, and the sobriety he has maintained since leaving the chapter of his life behind. Although it was a sensitive subject for him, he lightened the mood. He joked that he was allergic to alcohol and that every time he’d drink he would break out in handcuffs and bad decisions. He explained how his addictions were eventually replaced by something entirely different, the life he built with his wife and children. That reflection led naturally into “The Addiction,” a song from his 2026 album Sins Of The Father, which looks back on his former substance abuse while framing his family as the force that now keeps him grounded.
From there Brantley began throwing a few surprises into the set. Rather than sticking strictly to his own catalog, he worked in songs from some of the rock artists that have influenced him over the years. A cover of 3 Doors Down’s “When I’m Gone” drew a huge reaction from the crowd, with Gilbert telling the fans that although he’s best known for country, he’s been rock fan his entire life. He then moved into a medley of Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin,” Linkin Park’s “One Step Closer, and Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name. The mood shifted noticeably as the medley kicked in, trading country grit for a heavier, more aggressive energy that the crowd seemed more than ready for.
As the night began to wind down, Gilbert saved one more hard hitting moment for the end, closing the show with “Read Me My Rights.” It was a fitting finish to a set that moved between heavy country-rock, personal stories, and unexpected covers, all while keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish. The night even included a proposal in the audience, adding one more memorable moment to a show already packed with them. By the time the final notes rang out, Gilbert had given the fans a little bit of everything, and a night that gave them plenty to remember.
Brantley and the band continue the Real American Tour on October 1 with a stop in Huber Heights, Ohio, followed by performances in Illinois and Missouri.
Bluesky Discussion
View on BlueskyNo replies yet. Be the first to comment on Bluesky!
Comments are closed.