Moments from Maren Morris' 'GIRL the World Tour" we keep reliving

Maren Morris, GIRL: The World Tour, Chicago
Photo credit Kimmie Caruba
The World Tour, Riviera Theatre 3.9.19

SOLD OUT • Chicago, IL • Riviera Theatre • March 9th, 2019

Maren Morris has expressed many times her love of Chicago and to say that feeling is mutual would be a massive understatement. Long before Cassadee Pope opened up the show, fans were waiting in the rainy & unusually cold March weather (yes, even for Chicago) for the doors to open at the intimate Riviera Theatre. It had been 3 years since the release of her first major label studio album, Hero, and 2 years since her last headlining tour of the same name.  Her fans were ready. Chicago was ready, and they showed it with a sold out first night of GIRL: The World Tour.
"We love you so much, we wouldn't start it anywhere else"
The World Tour, Riviera Theatre 3.9.19

"The Feels"

Just like the second song on the record (and the second one she performed), from the first note of the show you could feel that it was a different kind of show for Maren. If you saw her open up for Keith Urban on the Ripcord World Tour or maybe when she was touring with Sam Hunt on his 15 in a 30 Tour, you know she always puts on a performance worthy of chills. Her voice is powerful & smooth, filled with emotion & depth. She brings all of that to GIRL: The World Tour with an added layer of what can best be described as "energy" that is entirely Maren. The show has a spirit of fun & unapologetic authenticity eminating from the deliberate care & design she's so clearly put into this show. You can feel the love that she put into it for her fans, you can feel her having fun as she moves about the stage. The colorful lights & engaging videos woven between the songs makes the performance an immersing experience. 
The World Tour
The World Tour

The hits, but just a few

It's unusual to go to a show & hear entirely new music. Artists will tell you that it is a risk, that fans want to hear the hits, the songs they know already. But this was a different kind of show with a different kind of crowd. Maren did play her hits: "80's Mercedes," "Rich," "My Church," & "I Could Use a Love Song." But the beauty of the show was that she didn't rely on them... and she really didn't have to!! 

Less than 24 hours after the album's release, Maren's Chicago fans knew all the words to her new songs... and they sang along extremely LOUD!!

"Y'all are not PLAYING!!! You're slaying"  -- just wait for round 2 at US*99 Country LakeShake!!! 
Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope sing
Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope sing
Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope sing

Maren singing "All My Favorite People" with Cassadee Pope

True friendships and bonds (sometimes even songs!!) are made when artists tour together. You get something a little extra from a tour that contains artists that are already true friends. Cassadee Pope opened up GIRL: The World Tour for Maren Morris & their friendship was evident long before Maren took the stage. The album version of "All My Favorite People" is a collaboration with Maren's good friends, Brothers Osborne. Seeing as the guys weren't around, Cassadee came out to help Maren with the number and the fun they were having spread directly into the crowd. From laughs & smiles, to coordinated moves & hugs, it was for sure a highlight. (*How about round 2 when both ladies are back for US*99 Country LakeShake?!)

**let's not forget about this epic backbend either**

Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope sing
Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope sing

The story of her first No. 1 • "I Could Use a Love Song"

"I love sad songs, they make me feel like I'm not alone... like I'm not alone in my broken heart, it's healing to have those songs on the radio."

The World Tour, Chicago
The World Tour, Chicago
The World Tour, Chicago

Those new moves of hers (okayyyy we see you girl!! ----)

There is a special kind of vibrancy that comes from a show that is authentically one's own. You feel that with this tour. The little details that were so carefully considered show a side to Maren & her beautiful performance that fans haven't been treated to before. It's a new level of comfort & a new depth to the vulnerability between her & the audience. Maren's connection to her fans is powerful & loving... so much comes across through the movements & emotions she displays on the GIRL: The World Tour stage. 

The World Tour, Chicago
The World Tour, Chicago
The World Tour, Chicago

From the release of the title track to the first night of the tour, "GIRL" as a complete work was released to do and be more. The song contains a message and a feeling that every girl has had... The body of work weaves together as a true collection in a day and age when singles get so much focus. The album is truly a collaboration as Maren revealed that each song is a cowrite; some she wrote with her husband, Ryan Hurd, others with Greg Kurstin (who co-wrote Adele's "Hello") and even more with other prominent songwriters. The album features Brothers Osborne on "All My Favorite People," and Brandi Carlile on "Common." 

Just like the tour, it really is just the beginning.