Miranda Lambert Proves She’s the ‘Music City Queen’ with Sold-Out Nashville Concert

Hours before the release of her eighth studio album, Miranda Lambert played to a capacity crowd at the picturesque FirstBank Amphitheater just south of Nashville, Tenn. The newly crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year pulled out all the stops during the 90-minute set, including new songs, special guests, and her biggest, most visually stunning production yet. 

The Texas native offered up a 21-song set, delivering performances of her earliest hits, fan-favorite album cuts, and brand new songs from Palomino. 

Right off the bat, Lambert promised fans were in for a night of fun when she opened the show with the rowdy “Actin’ Up.” While the song has only been available on streaming platforms for just three weeks, it’s clear it’s already a hit amongst her fan base as the crowd could be heard singing along to every word. 

The superstar went on to toast the crowd on what she dubbed “Thirsty Thursday” as she kicked it into high gear with performances of  “Kerosene,” “Fastest Girl In Town,” and the timely new tune, “Strange.” 

Hometown heroes were celebrated with a throwback to 2007’s “Famous In A Small Town” and the sold-out crowd was transported to the wild west with the Top 20 and climbing “If I Was A Cowboy.” 

Lambert showcased all sides of her artistry throughout the show. In addition to performing her country/rock anthems, she also put her more vulnerable side on display with the introspective “Vice” and the tear-jerking “Tin Man.” 

“I know I’ve thrown a couple new ones at y’all tonight – thanks to singing along to those, by the way,” she told the audience before delivering an acoustic rendition of “Tin Man.” “I was thinking about songs that mean the world to me and the times in my life when I really needed them. I always go back to this one because I’m a sucker for a sad song.”  

It wouldn’t be a Nashville show without a surprise guest. Lambert’s longtime friend, collaborator, and Pistol Annies bandmate, Ashley Monroe, joined her on stage to sing “Heart Like Mine,” a song they co-wrote with Travis Howard for her 2009 album, Revolution. 

Jaren Johnston, frontman of The Cadillac Three who opened the show, then joined the pair on stage for Little Feat’s “Willin’.” 

Always a highlight of a Miranda Lambert show is “The House That Built Me” and that was certainly the case on Thursday night when the audience joined Lambert for a singalong that beautifully echoed around the natural stone setting of the amphitheater. 

The fun-filled energy returned as Lambert got fans dancing along to “Tequila Does” and on their feet singing along to “Gunpowder and Lead,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” and “White Liar.” 

Before bidding Lambert farewell, the crowd rocked out to the “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Lambert’s latest chart-topper with Elle King. 

The show served as a preview of Lambert’s upcoming co-headlining run with Little Big Town, The Bandwagon Tour. There’s no doubt that it’s her most solid production yet and a worthy display of her well-deserved ACM Entertainer of the Year status.

Palomino is available now. See the track list below:

1. Actin’ Up (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Jon Randall)
2. Scenes (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
3. In His Arms (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
4. Geraldene (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
5. Tourist (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
6. Music City Queen feat. The B-52’s (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
7. Strange (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
8. Wandering Spirit (Mick Jagger, James Rippeto)
9. I’ll Be Lovin’ You (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Jon Randall)
10. That’s What Makes the Jukebox Play (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
11. Country Money (Miranda Lambert, Aaron Raitiere, Mikey Reaves)
12. If I Was a Cowboy (Miranda Lambert, Jesse Frasure)
13. Waxahachie (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
14. Pursuit of Happiness (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
15. Carousel (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)