Chris Stapleton played his first-ever UK show at the Country to Country festival at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday (13.03.16).
The 37-year-old country music star – who hails from Kentucky, US – stormed the auditorium with a booming set on his first visit to the country, and was accompanied by his wife and backing singer Morgane Stapleton.
Chris – who donned his familiar cowboy hat, shaggy long beard and electric guitar – announced to the delighted crowd in his sexy southern drawl: "How’s it going London? This is my first time in London and this is my first show in London so thank you for being here."
But the singer was made to feel right at home as fans screamed "we love you" and cheered him through his opener ‘Nobody to Blame’.
Chris moved straight into his hit ‘Might as Well Get Stoned’ and then onto a thunderous performance of The SteelDrivers cover of ‘If It Hadn’t Been for Love’.
The singer – whose presence filled the arena – swapped guitars for his next track, a love song, ‘Whiskey and You’, which debates the difference between the love of booze and the love of a woman and why human touch wins every time.
The recital caused a thunderous stomping of feet and wolf whistles and screamns from the UK crowned, who were clearly hooked, and the reaction led Chris to respond: "Don’t make me cry now."
The country star then stormed through hits ‘Traveller’, ‘Fire Away’ – which implores a lover to "show me what you got honey, I’m not afraid" – before he turned to his wife and gave her the floor.
Morgane embarked on a chilling rendition of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and took her time to sound out the words and bring a truth and emotion to the lyrics rarely heard on the song.
The couple faced each other and looked into each other’s eyes as they swapped roles and Chris sang backing vocals for Morgane.
The singer ended his thunderous set with ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, a song about hitting the bottle and being saved by a woman who is "sweet as strawberry pie".
Afterwards, English country duo The Shires – which consists of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – took to the stage to praise the singer to whoops and cheers from the delighted crowd, and Ben said he hoped he would be invited back to the sell out event next year.
Chris Stapleton makes UK debut at Country to Country
