Scotty McCreery Sets Summer on Fire

The midsummer concert series in Elk Grove Village has had a start-studded lineup from Cheap Trick, O.A.R., and now Scotty McCreery. It couldn’t have been better weather for the packed show. Fans lined up their chairs hours in advance for the free performance. The small community area was covered with chairs and blankets. The event was well laid out from volunteers guiding traffic, strategic pathways, plenty of restrooms, and even a standing room only section to not block the views of others who brought chairs.

Scotty did not need an opener to get the crowd warmed up. He came out high-energy and ready to put on a good show. Scotty opened with “Can’t Pass the Bar” followed by “Little More Gone.” During “It Matters to Her” the crowd screamed the line “shut up and listen to what she has to say.” He admitted to that song being his wife’s favorite despite “This Is It” being their wedding song. McCreery released 5 song EP Scooter & Friends last Friday. One of which is “Swim Up Bar” which is a relatable vacation song and just might be the only song to reference the Gulf of America thus far. On that EP, you can find collaborations with Hootie and the Blowfish, Lee Brice, and Charlie Wilson.

Taken with iphone

Scotty rose to fame in 2011 when he won the 10th season of American Idol. With almost a decade and a half of recordings under his belt, the set did not lack hits. He performed my favorite play on words songs, “Damn Strait” and “Cab in Solo.” Throughout the night, McCreery made sure to connect with the crowd, pausing between songs to share stories about his life, his family, and his career. Whether discussing his 2011 American Idol win or his journey to becoming a husband and father, he took the time to let fans take a glimpse into his personal life. Photos of his family often graced the screen behind him as he played sentimental songs.

In addition to his original tracks, Scotty also covered several influential artists, including Tom Petty, George Strait, and Darius Rucker. He played a medley of throwback songs from Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, John Michael Montgomery, and Alan Jackson. Other modern-day artists that resemble Scotty’s style are Noah Hicks, Josh Turner, and Justin Moore.

Taken with iphone

Scotty’s set embodies summertime, young love, and nostalgia. He closed with “Bottle Rockets,” which is his rising song of the summer that was recorded with Hoodie and the Blowfish (not just Darius Rucker). “Bottle Rockets” intertwines “Hold My Hand” during the chorus. Since Hootie and the Blowfish were not there to play the song live, clips from their original music video played in the background. He surprised fans with an encore of “The Chair” by George Strait. Fans cheered as he left the stage for good this time.

The overall experience was flawless from weather to music to convenience. The Tuesday night shows are a great family friendly way to spend a summer evening. The last mid-summer concert scheduled is Bachman Turner on July 29 at the Village Green. 

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