Brad Paisley Virtual Reality World Tour Stops in Atlanta Sept. 15
Review and photos by Russell Eldridge
The turnout Saturday night proved that Georgia loves Brad Paisley; Paisley packed Lakewood.
From the side stage it almost looked like there was a black curtain hiding the band, but as I moved closer to center stage, I could see that the curtain was almost transparent. On the curtain, a laser light silhouette of Paisley eventually transformed into a spinning image of Earth.
In the midst of one song, Paisley said women are responsible for feminizing the modern man; he suggested women pick up a TV Guide and, if there is a sporting event on, make themselves scarce. The women in the audience didn’t seem to mind the suggestion, at least coming from him.
During “Everything To Me” he appeared to get out a camera, probably a smart phone, and he said “Let’s make a video,” which, of course, got the crowd’s attention. His soloing during “Everything To Me” was very melodic, a seeming mixture of Steve Vai and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Shortly afterward, the stage background was replaced with what seemed like a tribute to The Matrix.
Eventually, Paisley started making his way though the crowd. Paisley stopped roughly in the middle of the crowd and performed “Georgia” on a makeshift stage. He asked how the people in the cheap seats were doing. He seemed to want to make sure that everyone saw a good show.
Paisley thanked the crowd for coming out and spending their hard earned money, even though times are tough. Apparently, Paisley loves his fans as much as they love him.
Singer Kimberly Perry from The Band Perry joined Paisley for a breathtaking version of “Whiskey Lullaby.”
Next, the stage turned red and an image of Captain Kirk appeared on the screen to ask Paisley for dilithium crystals to achieve warp speed. Paisley told Kirk that he’s in the middle of a show, but he broke out some country shred in attempt to rescue the beloved captain.
After the light-speed shred-fest, Carrie Underwood joined Paisley in singing “Remind Me” and the crowd erupted. There was so much virtual reality that night I am not really sure if she was there in person or just in spirit. Well-synched videos played the background throughout the entire set, allowing many of the previously mentioned parts of the show as well as a sing-along with a virtual Alabama. Some technical difficulties occurred during the solo of “Old Alabama,” on what appeared to be an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar. Paisley took it off and tossed it to the ground, but he appeared to keep his cool as his tech brought him a Telecaster.
Paisley put on a great show and Georgia is sure to welcome him back again and again.
The Band Perry
Brad Paisley
