Carrie Underwood: Stories In The Round

Embarking on the North American leg of her Storyteller Tour, Carrie Underwood came to Seattle with opening acts East Corban and The Swan Brothers. These “stories in the round” featured a center stage, surrounded by fans on all sides, showcasing Underwood’s ability to tell a great story with each of her songs.

Opening the tour, The Swan Brothers come from a similar background as headliner Underwood. Finishing third in the fourth season of hit TV show The Voice, their discovery and rise to success is attributed to the votes of American TV watchers. Their set showed their true talent, with great stage presence, songwriting ability, and vocal harmonies from the two brothers. It was great to see Colton Swoon move around the stage and interact with the fans, often stretching the mic out into the crowd, even fist bumping one lucky fan.

The Second act of the night was East Corbin. Before the band took the stage, a short version of “Up Town Funk” filled the pit black arena. Corbin and band joined on stage at the end of the song, setting them up for a proper opening. The round center stage started to spin around the arena, giving every fan a good view of the band. The surprise of the set was a slow cover of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself,” followed by an upbeat, country version of DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean,” a fresh vibe coming from such a different genre of music. Corbin playing each cover in his classic country style, before finishing out his set by rounding back with his best hits, and leaving the stage hot for Underwood’s arrival.

The center stage then lowered from the ceiling, creating tiered steps down to the main stage, and Underwood emerged, 20 feet above the crowd. She opened with “Renegade Runaway,” a strong song, showcasing her powerful voice. Purple laser beams circled around her as black smoke puffs went off from below. The three-level tiered stage lowered so Underwood could join her band mates on the main stage, and she began the next song, a combo of “Last Name” and Miranda Lambert’s “Somethin’ Bad” which featured Carrie Underwood, creating the perfect balance of rhythm and sass.

Surrounded by her fans, the stage was Underwood’s world as she told the story of her life. Already halfway through her world tour, her ability to tell unique stories accompanied by her powerful and stern vocals separates Underwood from her country brethren. Each song was accompanied by a performance that brought it vibrantly to life. With four successful albums under her belt, Underwood’s set list sounded like a greatest hits night, including “Blown Away,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Though no longer playing older b-side songs, except off her Storyteller album, she did litter the set with an abundance of new songs as well.

Both The Swon Brothers and Easton Corbin joined Underwood back on stage to help sing the classic from Alabama, “Mountain Music.” A good song in itself, but a bit off-key from the whole theme of the tour. Maybe that’s just because Underwood and Alabama represent two diverse types of country music.

The fans got a special gift in the next song as Underwood equipped herself with video camera, filming fans, during “All-American Girl.” As fast as it started, it was over, as Underwood finished her set with “Before He Cheats.” Not to worry, a fantastic two-song encore included “Smoke Break” and “Something in the Water.” One thing that everyone will remember after a fantastic performance from Underwood, if not the stories, is how she made each fan feel.