Gary Allan Brings the Country Hits to The Sandy Amphitheater

Summertime means a lot of things in Utah, but at the top of that list is probably summer nights listening to music.  On June 12th, fans flocked to the Sandy Amphitheater keeping that tradition alive, sharing an evening with country star Gary Allan and rising artist, Mark Mackay.

 

For the fans who braved the heat and arrived early we got a treat as Mackay provided a perfect start for the evening.

 

The up-and-coming singer wasted no time kicking things off and warming up the crowd. Between his songs Mackay mixed in an easy-going banter telling stories such as getting his butt kicked by Gary Allan at the golf course earlier in the day, showcasing a kind of charisma and natural stage presence that can’t be taught. While his name might be new to country music fans in Utah that may be about to change as he announced at the end of his set that he already has a date lined up to come back to the state later this fall which drew a cheer from the fans in the venue. 

 

As the sun began to set fans started buzzing with anticipation for the main event of the evening. 

 

The moment Gary Allan’s band hit the stage followed by the first notes of “Tough Goodbye” the crowd was on their feet cheering and when Allan strode out with a smile on his face that cheered went louder and set the tone for the rest of the night.  Then the band went right into “A Feeling Like That” without missing a beat.

 

From there on it was hit after hit.

 

“Man to Man” and “Best I Ever Had” were the next songs up showcasing some of the songs that made him one of the most recognizable voices of the last thirty years.  The next song on the set threw it all the way back to the beginning of Allan’s career.  When the notes of “Her Man” came out of the speakers the fans in the venue let up another cheer as people swayed back and forth singing lyric for lyric right back at Allan. 

 

This set perfectly showcased one of the things that Allan has always been so great at during his shows.  His ability to mis heartbreak and swagger effortlessly.  One song the crowd would be dancing and cheering along and the next they were lightly singing back every word to a ballad with the song transporting everyone right back to where they were the first time they heard it. 

 

Throughout the night Allan talked with the crowd, offering glimpses into his songs and his journey over the years through his music.  Those moments helped shape the night into something more than just another concert at an amphitheater, it became an intimate atmosphere where it felt like Allan was talking directly to you in a crowd of people. 

 

By the end of the night the fans were full of energy and when the band broke out into “Watching Airplanes” the venue broke out into one big sing along as everyone poured their voices out along with Allan. 

 

By the time the notes faded and fans were leaving, some still singing verses to each other as the walked away, it was clear that Allan had put on another show and his honest songs and charisma had once again made another meaningful connection with his fans.