When you think about a Performing Arts Center, you mostly don’t think about cowboy hats, bedazzled jeans, or cowboy boots. Well, Little Big Town brought all of it and them some to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. On Thursday, October 22 Little Big Town stopped in Newark, NJ along their For The Art Of It Toxur with opener and friend, Ashley Ray.
If you are a fan of country music, you’ve most likely heard of Little Big Town. They’ve had numerous hits to make a big impact on country music. Their song Girl Crush, for example, went to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard’s Hot Country Songs for 13 weeks. The original group has been together for 26 years and have made quite the name for themselves in country music. They officially formed a band back in 1998 and have been together since. The group is made up of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Philip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook. Since the group formed, they have earned over 20 awards, including the Grammy Best Country Song in 2006 for Girl Crush and the Country Music Awards’ award for Vocal Group of the Year (twice).
As a fan of Little Big Town, something I find special about their group is the fact that have been together for so long. During the concert, the group mentioned how they’ve been together through the highest highs and lowest lows. Through kids and heartaches. It’s evident as a fan, or anyone in the audience for that matter, that Little Big Town is more than a talented group of musicians – they’re a family. From the small chit chat between songs to the way they react to each other while performing, you can feel the history and love they have for one another. As an audience member and fan, it makes you feel as if you are apart of their family. Whether we were celebrating Rachel’s 99th show or Susie’s 40th birthday, we were all having a great time.
Kansas-born song writer, Ashley Ray, opened for Little Big Town. She stood in front of a metallic curtain with nothing but a spotlight, acoustic guitar, and a microphone. While her set was simple, her songs everything but. Her songs all told stories about different people and experiences she’s had throughout her life – both the good and the bad. The acoustic performance really let the audience hear the stories she wrote about. Ashley also spoke about how she often writes with different members of Little Big Town when they’re on the road. She also mentioned how grateful she is for Little Big Town brining her along on the road and supporting her music.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is traditionally home to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, however they made an exception for some country music on Thursday night. Little Big Town’s concert took place in the largest hall at the NJPAC, Prudential Hall. The concert hall features capacity for almost 3,000 people between 4 curved levels of seats. The NJPAC is also home to several smaller theaters, which gives them a lot of flexibility for different sized events.
Little Big Town’s 2026 tour is named after their newest album, It’s a Dying Art. The songs on this album are no different than their previous music – they tell stories. For example, their song Jet Plane talks about how difficult it is to be separated for the people we love. They specifically mentioned how it can be tough for artists, crew, and other team members who all spend a significant time away from their families when touring. It’s Coming Around is another new song off of It’s a Dying Art. It talks about how the positive and good in life always returns even through the dark times.
We’re living in pivotal time where technology is a huge part of our lives. With the rise of artificial intelligence and technology in general, we are starting to lose the important and uniqueness of what people can do by hand. There’s an increasing dependence on technology and less importance on the connections between people. It’s a It’s a Dying Art dives deep into importance and significance of human connection, creating art, and being present in our lives. It’s important that we remember the value of what it means to be creative in all of its forms.
Their set list was a pretty even split between songs from It’s a Dying Art and classic Little Big Town songs. It’s always fun to hear them perform classic songs like Tornado, Boondocks, and Little White Church because they always put a little twist on the song – so it always sounds a little different.
In terms of the physical set, it was very simple, which really helped the music stand out. Little Big Town was equidistant along the front of the stage while their four additional band members stood behind them on small raised platforms. Other than this, there were some strategically placed curtains and drapes to help frame the artists on stage. The house curtain also played a big role in framing the artists during the acoustic portion of the set. For the acoustic songs, the artists stood at the front of the stage and the house curtain was partially closed. It did a really great job of framing the musicians for an acoustic portion of the set. It goes to show you that you don’t need an elaborate set in order to have a great show. When the live music is amazing, that’s really all you’re paying attention to.
Little Big Town does not have any other schedule appearances in or near New York State, however the NJPAC has a long list of events coming up, from jazz musician and singer, Gregory Porter, to The Nutcracker, performed by the The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine. For a full list of Little Big Town’s upcoming dates, it’s available on their website.
Setlist: Dying Art, Little White Church, I’m With the Band, Tumble and fall, Sucker for a Sad Song, Over and Over, Sober, The Door, The Idea, Jet Plane, Bring It on Home, Better man, Pontoon, Closing Time, Next to You, It’s Coming Around, Tornado, Girl Crush, Boondocks, Wine, Beer Whiskey, We Could Have It All
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