Tim McGraw touches 'em all Star Tribune photo by Kyndell Harkness Which was a cooler entrance: Tim McGraw opening with Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" atop a roadie case by the sound mixing board in 2004 or the superstar walking through the crowd from the back of the Xcel Energy Center to play "Halo" with dramatic lighting on a satellite stage Saturday? Both were bold. Both effective, both memorable. McGraw boldly introduced a few songs from his "Emotional Traffic" album (release date to be announced) Saturday on what is the Emotional Traffic Tour. Tunes like "Halo" and "Right Back at U" sounded like they will connect with his legions of female fans, something he did all night long, as I explained in my review. Can't say the same thing for both of the opening acts, collectively known as Luke Perry (just kidding). The Band Perry's set suffered from Kimberly Perry's hyper, breathless delivery that made it hard to understand her words -- even on the hit "When I Die Young," one of the best country songs of 2010. By contrast, Luke Bryan proved that he really knows how to work a crowd in an arena, with his array of uptempo hits, occasional ballad and references to fishing in the St. Croix River. He even talked about injurying his face in an onstage accident Friday, requiring stitches in his nose. Country music as a contact sport? Ouch! McGraw's set list: Halo/ BBQ Stain/Where the Green Grass Grows/ Last Dollar (Fly Away)/ Please Remember Me/ Maybe We Should Just Sleep on It/ For a Little While/ Right Back at U/ Red Rag Top/ Unbroken/ Sail On (Lionel Richie)/ Sharing the Night/ Can't Be Really Gone (with the Band Perry)/ Do You Want Fries with That/ Back When (with Luke Bryan) / Better Than I Used to Be/ Cowboy in Me/ Southern Voice/ Felt Good on My Lips/ Real Good Man > The Ride ENCORE Live Like You Were Dying/ Indian Outlaw/ I Like It, I Love It