Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan aren’t crying cowboys over this Grammys loss.
After the “Cowboys Cry Too” singers lost the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance over Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ “II Most Wanted,” ahead of the 2025 ceremony they proved they weren’t letting the Recording Academy’s pick of the Cowboy Carter track get the best of them.
Kelsea, all dressed up for the 67th ceremony at Crypto.com Arena, cheekily filmed herself as she asked Noah in a Feb. 2 Instagram Story, “What does it feel like to lose three awards for the same song?”
To which Noah replied, “You weirdly start to kind of like it. I’m on a losing high right now—woohoo!”
The “Stick Season” singer’s response prompted Kelsea—who has been dating Chase Stokessince 2023—to throw her head back and laugh as the duo made their way to the red carpet. And she added to her fans, “See you at the Grammys!” (See everyone on the red carpet here.)
Before signing off, the “Miss Me More” singer gave her fans a thumbs up and a big smile, proving she also wasn’t too pressed about losing the category.
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan recently took to social media to express their reactions after losing to Beyoncé at a music awards show.
Despite being nominated in the same category as Queen Bey, the duo fell short of taking home the coveted award. However, both artists showed grace and humility in defeat, congratulating Beyoncé on her well-deserved win.
Kelsea Ballerini tweeted, “Losing to Beyoncé is a pretty good consolation prize if you ask me. Congrats Queen B! #musicawards #beyonce #gracefulloser”
Noah Kahan also shared his thoughts on Instagram, writing, “It’s an honor just to be nominated alongside such incredible talent. Congrats to Beyoncé on the win, well-deserved! #musicawards #beyonce #grateful”
Fans of both Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan commended them for their gracious reactions and showed their support for the artists. Despite not winning, they have proven that they are true class acts in the music industry.
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Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Beyoncé, music awards, reaction, losing, artist reaction, music industry, award shows, Beyoncé fan reaction, Kelsea Ballerini news, Noah Kahan updates
Jenna Bush Hager is welcoming more friends to the fourth hour of Today.
Beginning Jan. 27, Today with Jenna & Friends will kick off a week of women in music guest co-hosts. Kelsea Ballerini starts off on Monday, Jan. 27, followed by Jordin Sparks on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Ciara will do double duty on Wednesday Jan. 29 and Friday Jan. 31, while Wynonna Judd will hold court on Thursday, Jan. 30.
“It’s a whole celebration of music,” says fourth hour executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones. “The Grammys is the following weekend, and we’ve tailored all the content to [the hosts].”
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty; Carell Augustus/NBC via Getty; Terry Wyatt/NBC via Getty; Rob Kim/Getty
“I love [Scarlett],” Bush Hager recently told PEOPLE. “And also, when something ends and you’re starting something new, to have people raise their hands and show up for you, it’s the most gracious, amazing feeling. Truthfully.”
“What’s so cool about it is that it really does feel like we’re pulling up chairs for all different types of people,” Bush Hager told PEOPLE. “Yes, we have actors, but we also have comedians and people in media. And I think that really is what we’re hoping to have: a total representation of who watches our show and something for every viewer.”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on December 3, 2024 on NBC’s Today Show.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
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In addition to the advent of Jenna & Friends, Bush Hager also recently launched her own book imprint called Thousand Voices Books. The imprint is set to publish six titles in 2025, the first of which is called Conform by Ariel Sullivan.
“Because I’m so into it, it doesn’t really feel like work,” she said of her new literary venture. “I mean, it is, but I’m just having such a great time.”
Get ready to be blown away by the latest news and updates from some of your favorite artists! In an exclusive interview, Kelsea Ballerini shared insights on her upcoming music and collaborations, giving fans a sneak peek into what’s in store for her next project.
But that’s not all – Ciara also opened up about her latest ventures and how she’s been juggling motherhood, music, and more. With her infectious energy and positive attitude, Ciara is sure to inspire fans everywhere.
And that’s just the beginning – stay tuned for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at even more of your favorite artists. From rising stars to seasoned veterans, we’ve got all the inside scoop you need to stay up-to-date on the latest in the music industry.
Don’t miss out on all the excitement – stay tuned for more exclusive updates on Kelsea Ballerini, Ciara, and many more of your favorite artists. It’s going to be a wild ride, so buckle up and enjoy the journey with us!
She’s a multi-Grammy nominated music artist and Grand Ole Opry inductee, and now Kelsea Ballerini is sharing her skills with future stars as the newest coach on NBC’s singing competition show “The Voice”.
Ballerini says she felt like she manifested becoming a coach on “The Voice” after she filled in for Kelly Clarkson a few years ago. The 31-year-old has joined the coaching lineup with fellow music artists John Legend, Michael Bublé, and Adam Levine. Ballerini said it’s just like three big brothers.
“We just had a really beautiful, instant rapport with each other,” Ballerini said.
While “The Voice” focuses on building the music careers of contestants, Ballerini’s own career is in high gear as she headlines her first arena tour, which includes a stop in Detroit. She will be performing at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday, February 4th.
Fans can also see Kelsea Ballerini in action when season 27 of “The Voice” kicks off with a 2-hour premiere Monday, February 3rd at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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Exciting News: Kelsea Ballerini Joins ‘The Voice’ as Newest Judge!
Country music star Kelsea Ballerini is set to join the hit singing competition show, ‘The Voice’, as a judge for the upcoming season. Ballerini, known for her chart-topping hits and powerful vocals, will bring her expertise and unique perspective to the show as she searches for the next big music sensation.
Fans of ‘The Voice’ are buzzing with excitement over Ballerini’s addition to the judging panel, and many are eager to see how she will stack up against the other seasoned judges. With her fresh approach and undeniable talent, Ballerini is sure to make a big impact on the show and help discover the next generation of music superstars.
Be sure to tune in to the upcoming season of ‘The Voice’ to see Kelsea Ballerini in action and witness the incredible talent that she helps uncover. This is definitely a season you won’t want to miss!
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Come February, country star Kelsea Ballerini will be spinning around in one of the iconic red chairs on “The Voice” while also performing in arenas across the country until spring.
How can she be on live TV and headline a major tour at the same time?!
“I feel so lucky to be a part of this. can’t wait for everyone to see the TALENT and vibes and happiness all around,” Ballerini wrote on Instagram in a post promoting the new season.
With a little help of Hollywood magic, Ballerini is doing double duty of helping her “Voice” team achieve their dreams while living hers.
When can you watch Kelsea Ballerini on ‘The Voice’?
Ballerini is one of the main celebrity coaches for season 27 of “The Voice,” along with returning original coach Adam Levine, Michael Bublé and John Legend.
“The Voice” premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 3 on NBC. New episodes of the reality competition show will continue to air on NBC Mondays 8-10 p.m. and Tuesdays 9-10 p.m. until the season finale.
Episodes will be available the streaming platform Peacock the day after each airs on NBC.
How is Kelsea Ballerini on ‘The Voice’ and on tour at the same time?
So exactly how will be the superstar be coaching her “Voice” team while simultaneously performing for fans at arenas around the country?
For new “Voice” watchers, the show’s format puts contestants through five stages of competition: blind auditions, battle rounds, knockout rounds, playoffs and, finally, live performance episodes.
Most episodes, or portions of episodes, are prerecorded before airing on NBC. The live performance and elimination episodes typically air later in the season.
Contestants are expected to be available for filming in May 2025, according to audition eligibility requirements. And the live shows of recent spring “Voice” seasons typically have been in May, with the season ending with a champion crowned.
Under that kind of production schedule, Ballerini will wrap up her tour a few weeks before the live episodes of “The Voice” would begin, having already filmed the auditions and competition rounds.
Is Kelsea Ballerini making a tour stop in Knoxville?
The former Central High School student is not expected to bring her tour to her hometown, according to the official tour schedule.
Knoxville fans still do have a few opportunities to see Ballerini live. Some nearby tour stops include:
Ticket prices are based on Ticketmaster search on Jan. 23. All tour dates are available at kelseaballerini.com/tour.
Country music star Kelsea Ballerini is making waves in the music industry as she takes on two major roles simultaneously. Not only is she making her debut as a coach on the hit TV show ‘The Voice’, but she is also headlining her own live tour.
Fans of the talented singer-songwriter are in for a treat as they get to see her in action both on television and on stage. Ballerini brings her unique perspective as a successful artist to ‘The Voice’, where she will mentor aspiring singers and help guide them on their musical journey.
Meanwhile, fans can catch Ballerini performing her chart-topping hits live on her tour, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy on stage. With a busy schedule ahead, Ballerini is proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Don’t miss out on the chance to see Kelsea Ballerini shine as she takes on these exciting new ventures. Get your tickets to her tour and tune in to ‘The Voice’ to see her in action as a coach. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience for fans of this rising star.
Kelsea Ballerini is helping aspiring artists try to achieve fame in her role as a new coach on The Voice. But it turns out she has some firsthand experience of how a fellow artist can inspire the pursuit of a music career — and it’s all thanks to former Voice mentor Kelly Clarkson.
Ahead of the NBC competition series’ season 27 premiere on February 3, Kelsea got together with Adam Levine, Michael Bublé and John Legend to discuss their careers and journeys to getting to the places they are today. When John asked Kelsea about when she knew she wanted to be a performer, she shared that her a-ha moment happened in 2005, while watching Kelly perform in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
“I was seeing her in Knoxville at the arena, and it was her Behind These Hazel Eyes tour,” she explained in an Instagram clip posted on January 21. “She had these two video screens above her stage of her eyes the whole show. So depending on the song, they would close, they would cry, they would wink, or whatever. I was just at the age where I knew I loved music. But I was like, ‘Do I want to do this? I don’t know how to, but I think I really love this.’”
As the quartet continued talking, Kelsea further elaborated on the impact Kelly had on her. Seeing the American Idol winner in real-life, it took just an instant to cement the idea for Kelsea to pursue a career in music.
“I was having this moment as a little kiddo, and I looked up to these screen eyes of Kelly Clarkson, and they winked,” she noted. “In my soul, I really believed that Kelly Clarkson told me I was supposed to move to Nashville.”
NBC
As it turned out, Kelsea and Kelly would eventually cross paths in Hollywood. Not only was Kelsea an advisor for Kelly in seasons 16 and 20 of The Voice, she later stepped in as a temporary coach for Kelly in season 20 (Kelsea also appeared in season 15 as a mentor).
So, does Kelly know of the role she played for Kelsea? Absolutely. “She’s weirdly kind of been consistent throughout my whole career,” she added. “She started it for me … She’s my girl.”
Obviously, hearing the high praise Kelsea had for Kelly had fans emotional online. “@kellyclarkson is MOTHER ,” one person wrote in the comments. “@kellyclarkson is the best! Couldn’t agree more with @kelseaballerini! Two amazing artists! ,” another agreed. “@kelseaballerini @kellyclarkson,” a different follower added.
Well, looks like we need these two to collab ASAP!
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
Kelsea Ballerini, the talented country singer-songwriter, recently opened up about how music icon Kelly Clarkson inspired her to pursue a career in music. In a recent interview, Ballerini shared that Clarkson’s success and authenticity had a profound impact on her.
Ballerini, who rose to fame with hits like “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Peter Pan,” revealed that she had always been a fan of Clarkson’s music and admired her ability to connect with audiences through her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics. Seeing Clarkson’s journey from winning American Idol to becoming a successful artist in her own right inspired Ballerini to follow her own dreams of making music.
The two artists have since become friends, with Ballerini even opening for Clarkson on tour. Ballerini credits Clarkson for helping her navigate the music industry and providing valuable advice and support along the way.
In a touching tribute to her musical mentor, Ballerini expressed her gratitude for Clarkson’s influence on her career, stating, “Kelly Clarkson showed me that it’s possible to be yourself and still succeed in this industry. She’s been a constant source of inspiration for me, and I am so grateful for her guidance and friendship.”
It’s clear that Kelly Clarkson’s impact on Kelsea Ballerini goes beyond just musical inspiration – she has become a role model and mentor for the rising star. And with Ballerini’s continued success in the music industry, it’s safe to say that Clarkson’s influence will continue to shine through in her music for years to come.
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“How Do I Do This,” a sing-along for 12,000 people, addressed the anxiety of dating again after a breakup. “Blindsided (Yeah, Sure, Okay)” asked, “Were you blindsided or were you just blind?” The requested “Leave Me Again” wished him well and, for her own sake, wished some self-love: “I hope I never leave me again.”
And she unpacked a bad marriage’s worth of baggage on the encore of “Penthouse,” with just her voice and piano, as she unloaded, “I guess wrong can look alright/When you’re playing home in a penthouse, baby.”
Opening the rare all-women country program were two little-known singers: Sasha Alex Sloan (rhymes with Sacha Baron Cohen, the comic/actor), a talented Boston-bred indie pop singer whose low-energy but well-crafted songs would fit better at First Avenue (where she’s played); and MaRynn Taylor, a promising country newcomer from Michigan signed to the same Nashville label for which Ballerini records.
Kelsea Ballerini is taking the country music scene by storm, and her recent performance at a sold-out arena proves she is well on her way to becoming the next big arena star. With her powerhouse vocals, infectious energy, and undeniable stage presence, Ballerini had the audience on their feet from start to finish.
From her chart-topping hits like “Peter Pan” and “Miss Me More” to her heartfelt ballads like “Homecoming Queen,” Ballerini showcases her versatility and talent with every song she sings. The crowd was captivated by her powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics, singing along to every word and dancing in the aisles.
But it’s not just her music that sets Ballerini apart – it’s also her genuine connection with her fans. She took the time to interact with the audience, sharing personal stories and expressing her gratitude for their support. This authenticity and relatability make her a standout in the world of country music.
As she continues to sell out arenas and top the charts, it’s clear that Kelsea Ballerini is a force to be reckoned with in the country music industry. With her talent, charisma, and unwavering dedication to her craft, she is poised to become the next big arena star – and we can’t wait to see where her career takes her next.
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Kelsea Ballerini, arena star, country music, live performance, Nashville, country music industry, rising star, concert tour, singer-songwriter, country music artist, female vocalist
On Saturday night, country star Kelsea Ballerini played ringleader to an arena-sized girls’ night out at Fiserv Forum, and on the heels of her most successful album to date, she’s very much hitting her stride.
The show was the fourth night of Ballerini’s first arena-level headlining tour, which she endearingly referred to as her “big girl arena tour.” While she’s certainly had her share of big shows in Milwaukee to date, momentum was on her side on Saturday night, and she had a crowd that was ready to party.
“I played The Rave, and there were 3,500 people at that show” said Ballerini early into her set. “Tonight I am so proud to say that there are over three times that number here.”
That was certainly no exaggeration; Ballerini was greeted by a very full seating bowl on Saturday, likely an encouraging sign for the first week of the tour. They came ready to sing and dance as well, fired up from the moment that Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like A Woman” played over the PA to welcome everyone to the show.
The lights would drop, and Ballerini emerged from the back of the stage for the title track from “Patterns.” Her newest material would be the focal point of the night, with two-thirds of the album finding its way into the set list, sprinkled in amongst Ballerini’s biggest hits. While some artists might feel pressure to deliver her situation, Ballerini had a confidence about her performance that truly showed her star quality. It may have helped that boyfriend Chase Stokes was spotted watching the show from the soundboard.
When she addressed the Fiserv Forum crowd, she was personable as ever, regularly using her time in between songs to be thankful and inspirational. She spoke proudly about where “Patterns” has taken her, fittingly as an introduction to “This Time Last Year.” Throughout the course of the night, she would take a selfie with a fan’s phone, and say hello to a fan that brought a meet-and-greet photo from 2017, and also receive a scrapbook from a fan that she opened up on stage.
One fan also asked for her to write her next tattoo on a sign, with an inspirational quote, to which Ballerini replied “Oh god. My brain right now. It’s like when someone asks what your favorite song is and all you can think of is ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.’” They would eventually land on “Love love” before Ballerini would warn her that the tattoo is, in fact, permanent. That was the charm that she brought to every interaction on Saturday, taking in her moment as the brightest name on the marquee.
When she wasn’t drawing tattoos or taking pictures, she was leading singalongs up and down the Fiserv Forum stage, often from the catwalk in the middle of the arena. Early hit “Love Me Like You Mean It” saw her vocals reverberated by thousands of fans, and “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” would have fans screaming along as well. After proclaiming that “Dry January hates to see me coming,” wine-drinking salute “Hole In The Bottle” received one of the loudest reactions yet. By the midway point of the show, Ballerini looked untouchable, certainly hitting her stride.
From a production standpoint, the show would see Ballerini in the air on platforms frequently, with a screen that dropped down in front of her from time to time. She would also quick-change by dropping through a hole in the center of the stage, only to re-emerge after short interludes. She would dance with a chair for “We Broke Up” and later mention that this was the “female rage” portion of the show. That segment of the night would also include “Two Things,” where she would walk the catwalk with glowing orbs dropping down from the lighting rig over the Fiserv Forum crowd.
Ballerini would use the back half of the show to not only deliver the hits, but give her a chance to bring things down a notch. She would sit on the floating platform for a full version of “Interlude,” complete with the lyrics on the screen in front of her, and later delve into her collaboration with Noah Kahan, “Cowboys Cry Too,” complete with a new second verse in place of Kahan’s vocals.
Then, she would go solo with an acoustic guitar for “Homecoming Queen,” which hasn’t been played yet on the tour. She explained that she had more songs that she wanted to play that weren’t in her set list, and this gave her a chance to perform material that she hasn’t done in a long time. While providing a cool moment for the Milwaukee crowd, the move did feel just a bit reminiscent of the secret acoustic songs that Taylor Swift added to each night of her “Eras” tour. However, if the end result is a unique moment for each crowd on tour, maybe Ballerini isn’t to be faulted too much for feeling inspired.
Things would ramp up once again, but only after a version of “Peter Pan” that saw the whole band come to the front of the stage together. Ballerini was flanked by a pair of background singers throughout various points of the night, and the song gave them a chance to unite for a three-part harmony that rang out especially well with the Fiserv Forum acoustics (and of course, the crowd singing along to every word as well.) They would continue into “I Would, Would You,” mashed up with Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me.” She quickly acknowledged being able to support women in country music by welcoming openers MaRynn Taylor and Sasha Alex Sloan on tour with her. Then it was time to bring the house down.
Dating anxiety anthem “How Do I Do This” closed out the main portion of the set, with Ballerini dropping into the hole in the stage to signal the end of the set. Suspense be damned though, as she would tell the crowd that she had more song left as she descended to the floor with the lights going out. There was one final singalong to be had in “Penthouse” and the crowd hung on every word once again. There was also one major faux pas.
Ballerini exclaimed “Goodnight! Thank you Minneapo-nope… Milwaukee!” before laughing her way through the closing notes of the song (Minneapolis was the previous night’s show.) If that’s the biggest blunder from a 90-minute performance that saw her covering every bit of the stage that she could, with multiple costume changes and choreography, so be it.
From the look of Saturday night’s show, it’s very apparent that Kelsea Ballerini’s first “big girl tour” will certainly not be her only “big girl tour.” In fact, she has the makings of a generational talent in country music, and those superstar qualities shined non-stop on Saturday night. With a current stint on “The Voice” as a judge, Ballerini’s stock only continues to rise, and the Milwaukee crowd got to witness her in the middle of her ascent on Saturday.
Kelsea Ballerini made her mark on Milwaukee in a big way during her headlining debut at Fiserv Forum. The country superstar took the stage with energy and charisma, captivating the audience from start to finish.
Ballerini’s powerhouse vocals and infectious stage presence kept the crowd on their feet, singing along to every hit song. From chart-toppers like “Peter Pan” and “Miss Me More” to heartfelt ballads like “Homecoming Queen,” she showcased her versatility as an artist.
But it wasn’t just her musical talent that shined that night – Ballerini also connected with the audience on a personal level, sharing stories and anecdotes that made her performance feel intimate and relatable. Fans were left feeling like they had just spent the evening hanging out with a close friend.
Overall, Kelsea Ballerini’s Fiserv Forum headlining debut was a night to remember. She proved once again why she is one of country music’s brightest stars, leaving fans wanting more. Here’s to many more headlining shows to come!
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Kelsea Ballerini, Fiserv Forum, headlining debut, country music, live performance, concert, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, music artist
Kelsea Ballerini’s music has never been more intimate — and her stages have never been bigger.
A decade into her career, the country pop star is in the midst of her first arena-headlining tour; she made stop No. 4 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee Saturday. And despite the tour coming to town in the dead of winter, the place was nearly sold out.
“I’m so grateful,” Ballerini told the cheering masses, the crowd dominated by younger women. “If you hear one thing out of my mouth tonight, it is thank you so much for being a part of this journey whether it’s the last 10 years, or the last 10 months, or the last 10 minutes, I am so, so glad you’re here, Milwaukee.”
The reason she was able to attract more people to her shows is because her music has become much more personal.
Working in a genre with a reputation for being risk-averse, Ballerini took a big one when she released a surprise EP on Valentine’s Day in 2023: “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,” which addressed her divorce from country singer Morgan Evans.
Despite being just six songs and less than 16 minutes long, “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” was such a gripping demonstration of Ballerini’s newfound depth and directness as a singer and songwriter that the EP was nominated for album of the year at the Country Music Association Awards and best country album at the Grammys. And Ballerini retained her sharper skills on last fall’s full-length album “Patterns,” her highest-charting LP debut to date.
At the start of Saturday’s 97-minute set, Ballerini instantly demonstrated her growth, transferring the emotionally potency sentiment of “Patterns” to the stage with ease with the title track and the album’s “Baggage,” borrowing from her album art by initially singing in silhouette atop a mountain of suitcases projected onto the stage’s big screen that, for the liberating “Baggage,” went up in flames.
Her recent discography has taken her to the next level, but Ballerini has long signaled she had what it takes to reach arena headliner status. That was evident Saturday in a couple of her more emotionally resonant early-career songs: “Peter Pan” from her 2015 debut album “The First Time,” and set rarity and 2020 “Kelsea” track “Homecoming Queen?” (The latter was played live just one time last year, and then most recently before that, just twice in 2020, according to setlist.fm.)
For “Peter Pan,” Ballerini and the band Saturday jettisoned the dramatic albeit by-the-book musical arrangement, opting instead for a nearly a cappella version with Ballerini and her two backing singers, accompanied just by an acoustic guitarist (one of five backing musicians Saturday). The stripped-back approach gave Ballerini’s condemnation of a man’s childishness more maturity.
And with a solo acoustic rendition of “Homecoming Queen?,” Ballerini made the moment richer with a little commentary dedicating it “to the girls here” and emphasizing its message about “combating and counteracting everything that culture tells us to be.”
A decade of relentless touring also has given Ballerini the confidence and chops to command a stage this big. Her live rendition of “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too),” her ode to female friendship from the 2022 album “Subject to Change,” was a high point, with Ballerini smartly juxtaposing cheeky lyrics about “unladylike” behavior with portrayals of ’50s housewife caricatures on the screen behind her.
Her growing self-assurance — from finding validation from within in her early thirties, as she told her audience Saturday — also factored into a rousing speech that enhanced the evening’s impact.
“I look out and I see so many amazing young women here, and if there’s anything I can take as a nugget of knowledge of what I’ve done wrong and now I’m doing right in my life, is the truth that you can give yourself, of knowing, full body-mind-soul knowing, that you are worth your happiness,” Ballerini said in part. “Your peace is really, really important.”
It was Ballerini’s later material that similarly showcased such emotional maturity and understanding; songs from “Patterns” and “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” made up 15 of the night’s 23 songs. They clearly resonated the most with Saturday night’s Fiserv Forum crowd — the songs inspired impassioned singalongs similar to when Olivia Rodrigo’s fans emotionally belted her words back at her in this arena a year ago.
For “How Do I Do This” from “Patterns,” a deep understanding of trying to reclaim joy and steadiness after a breakup resonated in the crowd’s singing, echoing Ballerini as they cried out, “I talk a big game that I’m scared of losing/Everything I knew about love is so confusing.”
There was “Blindsided,” from “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,” which climaxes with the memory of a painful and personal experience. The words practically spilled out of Ballerini’s mouth as she sang-talked about the aftermath of a “big fight” in 2019.
“I slept on the couch and then the next night you put on your suit,” she sang Saturday, the emotion still raw in her voice. “I put on a smile and sang about how it’s OK to cry, dying inside.”
And there was the night’s stunner of a finale, “Penthouse,” also from “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,” which drew the loudest singalong moments of all, when Ballerini sang “knowing you got half” with bitterness in her voice after her divorce — and especially its mic-drop closing lines, with a slight modification from the recording Saturday: “I just bought the house that we saw/You said it was wrong/Milwaukee, I wanted it all along.”
Saturday at Fiserv Forum, there was no doubt that Ballerini also owned this big stage — and with her biggest tour to date, earned her career milestone.
6 takeaways from Kelsea Ballerini’s Milwaukee concert
At about the halfway point Saturday, Ballerini took a few minutes to connect with fans in the pit. There was one fan, Sophie, who held up a sign indicating this was her 14th Ballerini show; Ballerini borrowed her phone to take a selfie of them on stage. There was another fan, Alexa, who held up a sign with a picture of her with Ballerini from 2017 when Alexa was in elementary school. And another fan requested that Ballerini write something on a posterboard that they can use for their next tattoo (Ballerini ultimately wrote “Love Love”).
Ballerini also briefly mentioned playing concerts in town for the past decade, with a special shout-out to “kinda spooky, iconic” the Rave and its empty pool in the basement.
Surprisingly, Ballerini left some of her biggest songs out of Saturday’s setlist: “Dibs,” “Yeah Boy” and her Kenny Chesney collaboration “Half of My Hometown,” although the cutesy, wide-eyed demeanor of the former certainly wouldn’t have fit the vibe of the night.
Before taking the stage, Ballerini appeared on screen Saturday encouraging fans to make donations, via a QR code, that would go to a program supporting musicians in Los Angeles who lost everything in the wildfires this month. The show also was preceded by a cute video with a talking cartoon heart that went over a few guidelines, like treating people with kindness, staying hydrated and not throwing things on stage. That last point has been a growing concern at concerts in recent years; that video was the best-delivered deterrent I’ve seen so far. People did comply: Nothing was thrown on stage Saturday.
Laughter may not be the most appropriate reaction to a bitter kiss-off anthem like “Get to Know Me,” but MaRynn Taylor couldn’t help herself. She was delightfully taken off guard to see smartphone lights spontaneously come on all over the arena during her night-opening half-hour set. Maybe she shouldn’t have been surprised: Smart, heart-on-the-sleeve originals like potential breakout “Same Girl Same” — a yet-to-be-released country-pop song in the vein of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Deja Vu” — had a spunk and shine similar to early Ballerini singles.
If Taylor recalled Ballerini near the beginning of her career, the night’s second opener, Sasha Alex Sloan, more closely resembled Ballerini’s more diaristic side. Across her 45-minute set Saturday, Sloan offered emotionally naked songs like “Thoughts” — which had her pleading about wanting to be “a good friend to me” — and “Older,” a candid and compelling commentary on divorce from a child’s perspective that might be the pop song equivalent of Noah Baumbach’s superb 2019 film “Marriage Story.” And while Sloan is more pop-leaning than country — even with a Sam Hunt collaboration that made Saturday‘s setlist — she catered to this audience, and briefly embraced some wide-eyed optimism, with a strong cover of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One.”
Kelsea Ballerini’s Fiserv Forum setlist
“Patterns”
“Baggage”
“Love Me Like You Mean It”
“Heartfirst”
“This Time Last Year”
“If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)”
“Hole in the Bottle”
“First Rodeo”
“Blindsided”
“Miss Me More”
“We Broke Up”
“Two Things”
“Mountain With a View”
“Interlude (Full Length)”
“Wait!”
“Cowboys Cry Too”
“Homecoming Queen?”
“Beg For Your Love”
“Peter Pan”
“Muscle Memory”
“I Would, Would You”/”Lean on Me”
“How Do I Do This”
“Penthouse”
This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.
Country music sensation Kelsea Ballerini proved she is bigger and better than ever during her electrifying concert at the Milwaukee arena last night. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter delivered a powerhouse performance that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish.
From her infectious hits like “Peter Pan” and “Miss Me More” to heartfelt ballads like “Legends” and “Homecoming Queen,” Ballerini showcased her incredible vocal range and undeniable stage presence. The energy in the arena was palpable as fans sang along to every word and danced the night away.
But it wasn’t just Ballerini’s vocal talents that shined during the concert. She also showed off her impressive guitar skills, shredding on the instrument with ease and adding an extra layer of depth to her already impressive performance.
As the night came to a close, Ballerini thanked the crowd for their unwavering support and promised to return to Milwaukee soon. Judging by the ecstatic reaction from the audience, it’s safe to say that fans will be eagerly awaiting her next visit.
Overall, Kelsea Ballerini’s concert in Milwaukee was a night to remember, solidifying her status as one of the brightest stars in country music. With her infectious charm, powerhouse vocals, and undeniable talent, it’s clear that Ballerini is only just getting started.
