Darius Rucker, Dan + Shay and Michael Ray @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien, NY 7-31-16

Out on the “Good for a Good Time” tour, Darius Rucker along with up and comers Dan & Shay and Michael Ray, played Darien Lake this past Sunday night to a very eager audience. An audience who got a good dose of what today’s country music is all about. Rucker is a cross between pop country and classic American country with the others very much falling into the current pop country format that is being played on country radio.

Up first was Michael Ray who played a short 30 minute set that included eight (8) songs. Ray was mentored by Big & Rich on the singing competition The Next: Fame is at Your Doorstep. His debut single “Kiss You in the Morning” landed at number one on the chart. His second album (first under Atlantic Nashville) landed at number 4 on US Country. All of this has landed him in the opening slot of the Rucker tour. Between working the six string, he worked the crowd with his energy and showmanship and played an impressive set.

Next up came the poppy Dan & Shay. In the short amount of time this duo has been together (2013), they went from openers to headliners in a short amount of time and have really been building a big fan base. Their 12 song set was full of high energy including two of the biggest glam era rock songs from the 1980s, “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Even though the set was filled with cover songs, the duo seemed to really resonate with the younger country crowd. Dan & Shay concluded with their debut single “19 You + Me.”

The headliner, Darius Rucker, had an amazing setlist that consisted of his wide catalog of country songs and his former band Hootie and The Blowfish along with a wide array of covers. It helps that he can do these types of songs when he is backed by a well oiled machine. That machine also included guitarist Quinton Gibson who was a talent on his own. More about him in a bit.

Rucker’s production was over the top. There were multiple video screens, not only behind the stage but also on the sides. It was something I had never seen before. The multiple screens along with the stage setup made for a visually appealing show. Rucker’s voice was spot on for the tracks “Southern State of Mind” and “True Believer.” He talked about how he appreciated good song writing. He then proceeded to play the Garth Brooks classic “Friends in Low Places” and the Blackstreet song “No Diggity.”

Some other classics he ended up playing were John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and the late great Prince’s “Purple Rain.” You can’t get more of an eclectic song selection. I applaud him for that. Again, his eight (8) piece backing band was terrific along with the diverse playing of Gibson. The band along with Gibson’s playing allowed Rucker to expand the set list and take chances. those chances paid off big time during the 23 song set.

Setlist:

Lighter Up

Radio

Southern State of Mind

If I Told You

Time (Hootie & The Blowfish song)

Good for a Good Time

True Believers

It Won’t be Like This for Long

Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It

Friends in Low Places (Garth Brooks cover)

No Diggity (Blackstreet cover)