Concert Review: Jordan Davis “Damn Good Time Tour” @ MVP Arena – 04/26/24
Jordan Davis brought his "Damn Good Time" tour to Albany's MVP Arena on Friday night. The tour's name isn't just clever marketing. Davis had the Albany fans eating out of his hand over the course of a twenty plus song setlist that spanned his entire career. Davis hit the stage running and didn't slow down. The HUGE stage production was impressive, with a large T shaped catwalk that gave all the fans on the floor an up close and personal look at Davis. Jordan has been one of the steadiest hitmakers in Country music since the release of his debut single "Singles You Up." The show was packed with hits and a few newer songs. One of the highlights of the night was what Davis referred to as his "Summer '07 Burned CD" mix. Davis talked about how we used to burn CD's with all genres on them, simultaneously giving our computers viruses. I killed more than one computer with LimeWire. The mix included choice cuts from Gavin Degraw, Usher and Maroon 5. Opening act Ashley Cooke returned to the stage to offer up an incendiary cover of the Miranda Lambert classic "Gunpowder and Lead." Mitchell Tenpenny was brought out and led the band through the Blink-182 anthem "All The Small Things." The main set was closed out with Davis' 2018 #1 hit "Take It From Me." a one song encore followed with Davis performing arguably his biggest hit to date "Buy Dirt." The song was co-written by former Green River Ordinance singer Josh Jenkins. It was the perfect song to end the night. The 10,000 plus fans in attendance sang every word on the top of their lungs, threatening to drown out the band on stage.
Fellow hitmaker Mitchell Tenpenny held down the direct support slot with a lively and all too short set. Albany needs another Tenpenny headlining show. He kicked his set off with "We Got History." The hits kept coming as he offered up "At The End of the Bar," "Bucket List," "Alcohol You Later," "Truth About You" and "Drunk Me." All of these songs are what I call "ear-worms." Once you get the hook in your head it stays there. Tenpenny is by far one of the most talented songwriters in Country music today. Tenpenny closed his set out with a stellar rendition of the Goo Goo Dolls power ballad "Iris."
Relative newcomer Ashley Cooke came out on stage and staked her claim as the next big female Country music star. Everything about her stage presence screams "SUPERSTAR." She engaged with the audience like a seasoned pro, using every inch of the T-shaped catwalk to fist bump fans. She took several young fans' cell phones and filmed herself singing. While her upbeat songs had the crowd dancing, it was her introspective moments that really shined. "It's Been a Year" and "Never Til Now" are perfectly written. She closed her set with her latest hit single "Your Place" which is currently rising on the Country charts.
I always tell people to get to concerts early to check out the opening acts. You never know who the next superstar is going to be. Taylor Swift opened for Rascal Flatts. Morgan Wallen opened for Luke Combs. Imagine being the guy that decided to skip the opener on THAT tour? Just get there early, thank me later.
Jordan Davis "Damn Good Time" Tour @ MVP Arena w/ Ashley Cooke and Mitchell Tenpenny
Gallery Credit: Claude Sawyer Photography