Lady A at Northrop: Hillary, Charles and Dave

Star Tribune photo by Jim Gehrz

Who had more fun – Lady Antebellum or the 4,800 (mostly female) fans who bought all the tickets to Northrop's show in two hours? It was definitely a feel-good show, as I stated in my review. Only one month into their first headline tour, Lady A was relishing it, having so much fun. It wasn't stagey, though the three often congregated together or stood behind mic stands in a row. The unfussy stage was decorated antebellum style with a large French window, with curtains, and three fancy chandeliers. While Hillary Scott dressed up like a rhinestone-covered rock star, Dave Haywood went for a new-wave white shirt and skinny tie and Charles Kelley went casual, with jeans and a shirt unbuttoned just far enough. Lady A's set started about 15 minutes late due to some technical problems but the trio, backed by a five-man band, still gave a full 90-minute show. Opening the concert was newcomer David Nail from Kennett, Mo. (hometown of Sheryl Crow and Pat Miles ). He had a strong, rich voice that could fill an arena but his band favored a mushy sound that didn't flatter the material. His most distinctive offering was a bombastically bluesy reading of Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" Here is Lady A's set list: I Run to You/ Stars Tonight/ Love This Pain/ When You Got a Good Thing/ American Honey/ Love's Lookin' Good on You/ Something Bout a Woman/ I Can't Make You Love Me (Hillary Scott w Dave Haywood on piano' Mike Reid tune made famous by Bonnie Raitt)/ Ready to Love Again/ Do I (Haywood solo on acoustic guitar; he and Kelley cowrote this for Luke Bryan)/ I'm on Fire (Bruce Springsteen) > Every Breath You Take (the Police) (featuring Charles Kelley)/ Perfect Day/ Lookin' for a Good Time/ Our Kind of Love/ Slow Down Sister/ Love Don't Live Here Anymore/ Need You Now ENCORE Hello World