Randy Houser headlined the first ever West Coast Thunder concert at Storm Stadium in Lake Elsinore on Memorial Day yesterday (May 27th), and both the talent and the new venue proved to be appealing for the audience.
"If this is how you spend Memorial Day, that's awesome," declared Randy, looking out at the audience of over 5,000 bikers, their passengers, and concert-goers. His set effortlessly combined both his hits and plenty of new material from his latest album Magnolia, and had enough high energy music to capture the attitude of the long weekend (such as "High Time" and "Ain't Enough Quit"), but also mindful of the purpose of the holiday, dedicating "Like a Cowboy" to the military. "Nobody knows more about saying hello and goodbye than them," he quietly noted as he played the opening notes of the song.
His soaring vocals on "What Whiskey Does" had the crowd going crazy, and things got a little suggestive with "Mamma Don't Know," a song Randy wrote with the Cadillac Three's Jaren Johnston. His Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson covers had the crowd on the field dancing, and his own "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" had the few still seating on their feet.
Tucker Beathard also gave a nod to the military with his "Fight Like Hell." Double-meanings are plentiful in his lyrics, and his laid-back vibe was especially apparent in songs like "Too Drunk." He bookended his set with this current single, "Better Than Me," and his biggest hit to date, "Rock On," which had the crowd singing along.
Local favorite, military veteran, and opening act Michael Austin never sounded better, as he prepares to release a new album and go on tour with Ted Nugent for the summer.
In between sets, the Ultimate Sacrifice Ceremony paid homage to those who lost their lives in the name of freedom, leaving not a dry eye in the house.
Setlist:
Randy Houser:
1. We Went
2. How Country Feels
3. High Time
4. No Good Place to Cry
5. Boots On
6. My Kinda Country
7. No Stone Unturned
8. Good Hearted Woman / On the Road Again (Waylon Jennings / Willie Nelson covers)
9. Mamma Don't Know
10. Like a Cowboy
11. Whole Lotta Quit
12. Runnin' Outta Moonlight
Tucker Beathard:
1. Better Than Me
2. Ride On
3. Hate It
4. Too Drunk
5. Brother
6. Leave Me Alone
7. Fight Like Hell
8. Rock On
