Shania Twain and Breland @ Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY 7-8-23

For the first time in 25 years. Shania Twain made her way back to Syracuse in support of her latest record, ‘Queen of Me.’ She played before a sold-out show of 14,000 who witnessed one of the greatest selling music artists of all time. Twain is also the biggest selling country artist of all time as well. She brought with her upcoming county artist Breland.

The show started with 3 carts that were rolled to the middle of the Amphitheater. It was unbeknown to the audience which one Twain would pop out of. She popped up out of the last one that was wheeled up. She popped up wearing oversized sunglasses and a blond wig. The opening track was “Waking Up Dreaming” as she was pushed through the crowd and some lucky fans were able to walk up and get selfies with her. As the song was nearing completion, her cart was quickly pushed to the backstage area, and she was whisked to her spot underneath the stage. She then rose from the bottom to the top of the stage for “Up!” The backdrop of the video screen looked like rocket ship with her face on it. She came out wearing a peach sheer dress with multiple gold bracelets and rings working the stage as the band went through the song. A motorbike shaped like a stallion was placed for her for 4th song “I’m Gonna Getcha Good.” She then proceeded to lie on the bike while singing the song. The theme of the nights show was the interaction between Shania and her fanbase. She brought up two different kids at different points of the show. Both times she was talking to their respective parents while having them up on stage. She also had about 10 tables with couples set up during “From This Moment On.” Shania went around and posed for pictures with each couple. She also talked to a few audience members and sang verses of “Whose Bed have Your Boots Been Under?” and to “From This Moment On.” The latter was to a woman who was celebrating her 40-year wedding anniversary the next day. Shania told her to go live, and she sang one verse for her. She also brought up a teenage girl who was selected from writing her on Twitter. The girl then sang some of “I’m Gonna Getcha Good.” She invited opener Breland who she remarked, “will be the future of country music” to help her sing “Inhale/Exhale AIR.” You can see she was very interactive throughout the show. The only real surprise came as she only did one costume change. She had the outfit that mimicked the one she wore in the “Man! I feel Like a Woman” video.

Twain looked great! She has put the time and effort into looking and feeling physically fit. To anyone saying she shouldn’t wear what she is wearing at her age, I contradict those opinions. She should be happy and proud of what she looks like. Now there has been many reviews since the tour started pointing out her vocal deficiencies. You can tell that she was lip synching through a good portion of the set (if not all of it). In the past, she has had issues from Lyme disease and Covid that has taken a toll on her voice. I can say when she called up various guests and sang, it was her really singing and she sounded fine to me. So not sure why she wouldn’t or couldn’t do that for the entire show? She had a terrific band backing her led by her musical director Cory Churko. The show from beginning to end was very entertaining otherwise!

Breland opened the show and played for about 40 minutes. Breland has a very interesting brand of music that combines country, R&B, rap and soul music. He was very energetic and even came through the crowd to liven up the audience at one point.

Setlist:

Wake Me Up Dreaming

Up!

Don’t Be Stupid

I’m Gonna Getcha Good

Your Still the One

Giddy Up!

Any Man of Mine

Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

Hone, I’m Home

Inhale/Exhale AIR (with Breland)

From This Moment On