Dustin Lynch Concerto a Milwaukee, American Family Insurance Amphitheater, June 26

Welcome dorsum, summer. Where ya been?

Later on an unseasonably common cold start to what's supposed to be the warmest time of the year, Summerfest was blessed with wonderful conditions for its opening day Wed. And land pop star Thomas Rhett  — playing a breezy American Family Insurance Amphitheater bear witness  — was perfectly suited to the climate.

A gentlemanly romantic unafraid to show his feelings — with help at times from recurring co-writer and Greenfield native Joe London — Rhett Midweek offered a couple of contemplative tunes just shy of misty-eyed from "Center Indicate Road," which debuted this calendar month at the elevation of the Billboard 200.

There was "Remember You Immature," Rhett'southward next land unmarried, and likely his 14th to become to No. 1, with Rhett reminiscing about his married woman when they were higher kids, and treasuring his own child'south fleeting innocence. And on "Erstwhile Town Truck," he looked back at his first set of wheels, and all the liberty he felt, "Playing our song on the stereo/Driving till we ran out of road."

These sweetness tunes — less than a month old just with plenty of admirers Wednesday — fit correct in with prepare-list staples like the London co-written "Sixteen" and "Dice a Happy Human," which drew swooning singalongs from the sold-out crowd of about 23,000.

All the same despite all the contemplation, Rhett made certain to alive in the present. With a sax and trumpet thespian in frequent lockstep by Rhett's side, "Make Me Wanna" evoked "twenty/20 Experience"-era Justin Timberlake, the song suavely sliding into "Suit and Tie." There was a nod to James Brown soul-funk showmanship — admitting without nearly as much of the punch — toward the terminate of "Vacation."

And en route to a secondary stage in the back of the amphitheater right in front end of the grassy hill — where Rhett did stripped-downwards takes of "Truck," "Star of The Bear witness" and a hit he wrote for Florida Georgia Line, "Circular Hither" (with a surprising bear on of Eric Church's "Creepin' ") — Rhett sang the uplifting "Life Changes" running through the crowd.

Rhett's life, and career, have changed pretty dramatically. During a interruption from the music while sipping New Glarus' Spotted Cow beer, Rhett recalled his past two Summerfest amphitheater appearances — both opening slots, for Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line — and expressed gratitude and awe that he was finally able to headline the place himself.

I can't fathom any fans were surprised past that evolution. Similar summertime's (eventual) return, Rhett's country stardom has long seemed inevitable.

The openers

Rhett'due south opener Dustin Lynch is leaning much closer to pop than country these days, with crowd-pleasing results, performing in front of a fancy lighting rig Wednesday and channeling Sam Hunt with newer tunes like "Red Clay, Blue Optics," which contrary to the title, doesn't possess a single drop of Texas twang.

But Lynch's cowboy hat — the just ane worn on stage Wednesday — and his Willie Nelson shirt weren't just for evidence. For the show'southward highlight, Lynch talked about his lifelong dearest of country music, touching on tunes like Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee" and Dierks Bentley'south "What Was I Thinkin' " with his swinging ring. And one of Lynch'southward country-fried outset singles from seven long years ago — "She Cranks My Tractor" — nevertheless kicked Midweek.

It was only plumbing equipment that the first deed in the amphitheater this year is an honorary Wisconsinite. Russell Dickerson's wife and creative director, Kailey, is from Cedarburg, and so Dickerson expressed 18-carat fondness when he called Milwaukee his second abode. He also thanked his married woman for changing his life, and inspiring his offset No. 1 single, "Yours." As thousands of Wisconsinites sang along Wednesday, it seemed clear that they embraced Dickerson equally ane of theirs.

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The set list

one. "Look What God Gave Her"

2. "Crash and Burn"

3. "Become Some Of That"

4. "Craving You"

5. "Xvi"

6. "Don't Threaten Me With A Adept Time"

7. "It Goes Like This"

eight. "Remember You Immature"

nine."Life Changes"

10. "That Old Truck"

11. "Star Of The Show"

12. "Circular Here" (Florida Georgia Line cover; with a snippet of Eric Church's "Creepin'")

13. "Brand Me Wanna" (with a snippet of Justin Timberlake's "Suit and Tie")

14. "Vacation"

15. "Marry Me"

16. "Die A Happy Man"

17. "Unforgettable"

xviii. "T-Shirt"

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

Piet also talks concerts, local music and more on "TAP'd In" with Hashemite kingdom of jordan Lee. Hear it at 8 a.m. Thursdays on WYMS-FM (88.9), or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Source: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/festivals/summerfest/2019/06/27/thomas-rhett-rings-milwaukees-summerfest-bright-set-setlist/1577535001/

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