Carrie Underwood gave thousands of fans that packed Consol Energy Center the brilliant entertainment they expected on Wednesday night with a concert that mixed high-energy music with a fashion and stage show.
In her “Storyteller — Stories in the Round” concert, which many have called Underwood's best show yet, the “American Idol” alumna went through five glittery outfits, ranging from black leather pieces to a flowing gown. She came out swinging with “Renegade Runaway,” which introduced Underwood singing atop a three-tiered light structure that looked like an illuminated wedding cake.
In the next act with a second outfit, Underwood made her entrance atop a jukebox singing “Cowboy Casanova.” She jumped back to the beginning of her career with her first megahit, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” a song with an angelic feel when Underwood sings it live.
She included many other older hits in her setlist, such as “Before He Cheats,” along with new ones like “Smoke Break” and “Little Toy Guns,” a nominee in the recent Grammy Awards.
The long, elevated stage with many edges let Underwood perform from several spots, and she often appeared from underneath with a surprise new costume and new props. This “Stories in the Round” stage style aimed to give all areas of the audience their chance at seeing Underwood close up, and the strategy worked well.
Underwood's concerts have a showy, Broadway-like feel to them with the visual stage effects. The most memorable song in this visual feast was “Blown Away,” when white sheetlike fabric blew in vertical columns around Underwood. The show also had moments of fireworks and other pyrotechnics, and picturesque backing videos, including visions of birds flying and lightning while Underwood sang “Church Bells.”
Some artists are much more charismatic than others in live shows, and Carrie Underwood is certainly one of the strongest and most engaging performers in today's music.
