Heartbreak and Humor: A Night with Hayes Carll
Vivarium proved to be a charming and unexpected setting for a cozy Thursday night show in Milwaukee. With its walls draped in greenery and natural light pouring in from skylights, the venue felt more like a greenhouse hideaway than a concert hall. Aaron Raitiere set the tone the moment he stepped onstage wearing a bathrobe and jokingly offering the shoes off his feet for $200. You’d never guess he had just won a CMA Award for Song of the Year the night before. He was nominated twice in the same category for “4X4XU,” recorded by Lainey Wilson, and his winning co-write, “You Look Like You Love Me,” with Ella Langley. His writing credits span artists like Trace Adkins, Ashley McBryde, and Miranda Lambert. Raitiere remains as humble as he is delightfully odd.
His 30-minute set overflowed with humorous novelty tunes, the kind of sharp, quirky songwriting. At times, it felt like the room had morphed into a comedy club. Laughter rolled through the crowd, people doubled over as Raitiere bounced between love songs, spoken word, and even an ode to an armadillo. He sure knows how to grab the attention of a crowd.
Taken with iPhoneRaitiere proved to be the perfect opener for Hayes Carll, matching Carll’s everyday wry humor and razor-sharp songwriting. Carll kicked off his set with the fan favorite “Drunken Poet’s Dream,” immediately pulling the crowd into his world. Much of the night spotlighted songs from his most recent album, We’re Only Human, which the tour takes its name from. “Progress of Man” in particular lit up the room, with fans fully locked in.
A veteran of the music scene, Carll has seen his music featured across film and television, including Yellowstone, Country Strong, and The Ranch. His decades of experience and gifts as a storyteller shone throughout the night. Carll’s music weaves together the soulful threads of Americana, blending rock, country, and folk into a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. His voice carries a raw, unfiltered grit that commands attention, while his lyrics strike a perfect balance between tradition and modern storytelling.
Taken with iphone
Midway through the show, he brought Raitiere back out for “Any Other Way,” which the two recorded together in 2021. Carll shared stories behind his songs, many inspired by simple, everyday moments like watching a bird build a nest. His performance of “High” created a sense of euphoria, and “Hard Out Here” brought a taste of early ’90s country grit. His six-piece band elevated every song, swapping effortlessly between piano, fiddle, shakers, and more. Not a single backtrack needed. It was all pure musicianship.
Taken with iPhone
Carll’s fan base is as loyal as they come. Many purchased preshow meet-and-greet passes to spend a few extra minutes with him. Whether you’ve followed him for years or, like me, were seeing him for the first time, Carll had a way of making everyone feel like an old friend. Which it’s why it was no surprise when the crowd belted out every word to the cult favorite “KMAG YOYO.” Overall, the night felt intimate and effortless, shared with two of the most genuine, charismatic performers around. You can catch Hayes Carll on tour through the end of the year and well into 2026.
