Tyler Childers Brings the Gospel to Charlotte in First of Two Nights
Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre; Aug. 15, 2023
With a tear welling up in his eye, country singer Tyler Childers told the crowd of how he used to work in a saw mill until he decided to give music a chance full-time. His boss told him he’d be welcome back any time he needed a job.
“I haven’t been back since,” Childers told the sold out crowd at Charlotte’s Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on Wednesday. “It’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to do this for a living.”
Childers told the story as he wrapped up the first of two sold-out nights in Charlotte with four songs performed solo on acoustic guitar. The previous 18 songs had been performed with a seven-piece band behind him.
The dichotomy was palpable in the cool summer night. For most of the night, Childers’ performance was all about the songs — bolstered by his backing band. The sound was full, at times lush, with Childers’ vocals powering through as another instrument.
For the final four songs, all the emotion came to the forefront. Childers’ vocal tone cutting through the air and hitting 5,000 fans in the heart. It’s no surprise that Childers has gone from an opening spot at the Neighborhood Theatre just six years ago to headlining Charlotte’s second largest outdoor venue.’
Fans sang along at the top of their lungs to songs that touched on love, religion and country living, including “Way of the Triune God,” “Whitehouse Road,” and “Nose to the Grindstone.”
It’s not every country singer that can release a song, “In Your Love,” which tells a gay love story, seemingly without losing an ounce of popularity from his fanbase. It’s Childers’ down-to-earth spirit and genuine songwriting that draws fans in and refuses to let them go. Those attending night two on Wednesday are surely in for another treat.
The night was opened by S.G. Goodman, who offers her own brand of indie-folk rock highlighted by unique perspectives and solid songwriting. Goodman returns to the area this fall for a headlining set at the Neighborhood Theatre in October.
Tyler Childers setlist
Way of the Triune God
Tulsa Turnaround
Born Again
All Your’n
In Your Love
Country Squire
Bus Route
I Swear (to God)
Purgatory
Cluck Ol Hen
Whitehouse Road
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Anita
Honky Tonk Flame
House Fire
Universal Sound
Heart You’ve Been Tendin’
Nose on the Grindstone
Shake the Frost
Follow You to Virgie
Lady May
Be sure to check out Queen City Nerve’s Soundwave, Charlotte’s most comprehensive live music listing, so you don’t miss out on any shows or concerts coming up. And hell, if you’re looking for something else to do, you can check out our events page as well, which runs the gamut of things to do in Charlotte. You don’t ever have to be bored again. You can check out more of Jeff’s pics and live reviews here.
Become a Nerve Member: Get better connected and become a member of Queen City Nerve to support local journalism for as little as $5 per month. Our community journalism helps inform you through a range of diverse voices.
This work by Queen City Nerve is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
