Kane Brown is heading to Winnipeg later this year as part of his Drunk or Dreaming Tour, and fans are eager to find out who will be opening the show. Opening acts serve the important role of warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the headliner’s performance. Concertgoers in Winnipeg are curious about who Brown has chosen to kick off the night before his headline set.
The Importance of Opening Acts
An opening act has the ability to make or break a concert experience. Their performance can energize the crowd and get them excited to see the headliner, or it can miss the mark and leave fans feeling bored as they wait for the main event. That’s why headliners are selective about who they invite to open their shows. The opener needs to complement the headliner’s style and have enough stage presence to command the attention of thousands of restless concertgoers.
Kane Brown is known for his high energy shows full of hit country anthems and pop influenced melodies. Fans are expecting his tour to have a party atmosphere from start to finish. They want to walk into the arena and have the excitement building from the very first song. If the opening act fails to deliver that, it could cast a shadow over the rest of the night. That’s likely why Brown has handpicked rising country stars to join him on tour rather than extending opens slots to newcomers.
Potential Opening Act Options
Looking at the roster of Kane Brown’s Drunk or Dreaming Tour, there are a few potential candidates for the Winnipeg show’s opening act spot. Here are some of the possibilities:
- Jimmie Allen – This rising country singer already has experience opening for Kane Brown on past tours. The two have collaborated together, so Brown is familiar with Allen’s music and stage presence. Hits like “Best Shot” and “Make Me Want To” would get the energy flowing at the Winnipeg show.
- Gabby Barrett – She made a splash on American Idol and has since become a country star in her own right. Her single “I Hope” spent weeks at #1 on the charts. Barrett will be opening other shows for Kane Brown on this tour, so she would be a prime candidate for the Winnipeg opening duties.
- Lindsay Ell – Known for her guitar skills, Lindsay Ell fuses country and rock into an energetic live show. She has been steadily rising through the country ranks with hit singles like “Criminal” and “Want Me Back.” Her music would pair well with Brown’s setlist for a rockin’ night in Winnipeg.
- Tenille Arts – Hailing from small town Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Tenille Arts is just starting to make an impression on the country scene. She likely appeals to Brown as a rising Canadian artist who can help hype up the Winnipeg crowd. Arts’ voice would also blend nicely into Brown’s vocals during any potential collaboration on stage.
Choosing the Right Opener in Winnipeg
When deciding the opening act for the Winnipeg stop on his tour, Brown likely took into consideration location and fan demographics in order to choose a performer who will get the crowd energized. Winnipeggers looking forward to singing and dancing to Brown’s catalog of upbeat jams want someone to come on stage who can kick off the party right away.
Of the potential openers joining Kane on tour, Gabby Barrett and Lindsay Ell seem like the best options to bring the fun from the very first note. Barrett’s country pop style and Ell’s rock influenced anthems would easily excite the Winnipeg crowd. Both women are charismatic performers who know how to work a stage, which is crucial for an opening act trying to amp up thousands of restless concertgoers. Their catchy tunes and contagious energy would get the crowd on their feet and ready for a high flying performance from Kane Brown.
Jimmie Allen could also be a solid choice if Brown wants to go with someone he’s worked with before and knows can deliver a strong opening set. Tenille Arts, while talented, is still relatively unknown compared to the other options. Her opening the show would be a bigger gamble.
Ultimately, fans eagerly awaiting announcements about Kane Brown’s tour stops are most curious about who he will choose to kick off the show and set the tone for an epic concert experience. All signs point to Gabby Barrett or Lindsay Ell as strong contenders for the important role of opening act for Kane Brown’s upcoming Winnipeg show.
Kane Brown’s Musical Style and Discography
To better appreciate who might complement Kane Brown’s performance as an opening act in Winnipeg, it helps to understand Brown’s own musical style and biggest hits. The 28 year old singer from Tennessee first gained fame through social media, posting cover songs online as a teenager. He then appeared on TV talent shows before eventually signing a record deal and releasing his first EP in 2016.
Brown’s music blends contemporary country with pop, rock, and R&B influences. He often incorporates electronic and hip hop elements into his songs, creating a fresh, innovative sound within the country genre. His powerful vocals have drawn comparisons to artists like Chris Young and Rascal Flatts.
Kane Brown’s discography so far includes:
- EP Chapter 1 released in 2016 featuring the hits “Used to Love You Sober” and “Last Minute Late Night”
- Debut studio album Kane Brown released in 2016 with hit singles “What Ifs”, “Heaven”, and “Thunder in the Rain”
- 2021 album Different Man featuring the hits “Worldwide Beautiful”, “Cool Again”, and “One Mississippi”
- 2022 album Different Man’s Son with singles “Like I Love Country Music”, “Whiskey Sour”, and “One Thing Right”
Songs like “Heaven”, “Good as You”, and “Homesick” showcase Brown’s versatility and ability to blend country storytelling with pop melodies. On the flip side, tracks like “What Ifs” and “Short Skirt Weather” lean into a more traditional modern country/rock sound.
Brown’s latest single “Like I Love Country Music” off his Different Man’s Son album reached #1 on country charts. The tune’s references to iconic country legends paired with Brown’s signature style make it a standout from his catalog so far. Fans can expect to hear that song and plenty of other Kane Brown chart toppers during his Winnipeg performance.
Kane Brown’s Success and Accolades
In just a few short years, Kane Brown has become one of country music’s biggest breakout stars. His self-titled debut record in 2016 made Brown the first artist ever to top all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. He has continued to dominate country and pop charts ever since.
Key highlights of Kane Brown’s success so far include:
- 9 #1 singles on the Billboard US Country Airplay chart
- Over 4 billion on-demand streams globally
- 3 American Music Awards
- 9 CMT Music Awards
- 2022 CMT Performance of the Year winner
Brown made history as the first black artist to win a CMT Video of the Year award. He has broken boundaries and chart records during his rapid rise to stardom. Now on his Drunk or Dreaming Tour, Kane Brown is bringing his unique sound and high energy performances to stages across North America.
Concert Details for Winnipeg Show
Kane Brown’s concert in Winnipeg is scheduled for October 8th, 2023 at Canada Life Centre. The venue is a large indoor arena located downtown, home to sports teams like the Winnipeg Jets NHL hockey franchise.
With room for around 15,000 spectators, Canada Life Centre will provide an electric atmosphere for Brown’s show. Every seat in the house will have great sight lines to the stage. The arena’s concourses also offer plenty of concessions to keep fans fueled up for a night of dancing and singing along.
Tickets to see Kane Brown in Winnipeg are already on sale. Prices range from $40 for upper level seats to over $200 for VIP floor access nearest the stage. Fans looking for the full experience can also purchase meet and greet passes for the chance to interact directly with Kane Brown before the show.
The Winnipeg stop is part of a much larger cross-continent tour from Brown in support of his latest album. The extensive Drunk or Dreaming Tour itinerary also includes shows in cities like New York, Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles, and Houston.
Country fans in Winnipeg should jump at the opportunity to see one of the genre’s newest superstars live in their hometown. Judging by ticket sales so far, Kane Brown’s upcoming concert is sure to draw a packed house.
Setlist Expectations
When compiling the setlist for tour dates like his Winnipeg show, Kane Brown will likely aim to please both loyal fans and new listeners. That means balancing his chart-topping singles with deeper album cuts.
Concertgoers can count on hearing many if not all of Brown’s nine #1 hits. Tracks like “Heaven”, “What Ifs”, “Lose It”, and “One Mississippi” are guaranteed crowd pleasers. He also has to perform his most recent smashes like “Like I Love Country Music” and “Whiskey Sour”.
For a nice surprise, Brown may work in the duet version of “One Thing Right” with Marshmello, which created a fresh new sound for country music. Other collaborative hits like “Last Time I Say Sorry” with John Legend and “Famous Friends” with Chris Young could also make the Winnipeg setlist.
To showcase the range of his discography, expect Brown to mix in some album tracks like “It Ain’t You, It’s Me” and “Homesick”. These album cuts give concerts a more well-rounded feel compared to just churning out single after single.
Kane Brown has noted that he enjoys performing his romantic ballads like “Heaven” and “Good as You” to watch fans sway and sing along. Those more emotional songs provide nice contrast alongside upbeat rockers like “Short Skirt Weather” and “The Weekend”.
Covers have also been part of Brown’s repertoire at past concerts. His versions of songs like Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” and Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen” go over extremely well with country audiences.
Winnipeg fans are in for an eclectic setlist from Brown’s new and old material. He clearly has a deep enough catalog at this point in his career to vary his setlists city to city. Concertgoers should be prepared for surprise song selections and guest collaborations beyond just the hits.
Impact on Country Music Industry
At just 28 years old, Kane Brown is poised to be an influential force in the country music industry for years to come. He has found huge success by pushing boundaries and exploring new styles within the genre.
Brown’s hip hop and pop infused sound has brought a fresh new feel to country radio. That crossover appeal is helping expose his music to wider audiences beyond just country fans. His collaborations with non-country artists like Marshmello, Khalid, and Becky G show that country is not as limited as some may think.
As a biracial artist, Kane Brown also represents more diversity among country stars. The genre has been predominantly white throughout its history, so Brown helps move things closer to reflecting the real world. His massive popularity proves country listeners are accepting of different backgrounds.
Between his versatile musical talents and unique role in the industry, Kane Brown seems poised to continue breaking records. He may well become the future face of modern country music.
Headlining tours like his upcoming Winnipeg stop only further cement Brown’s status. Fans across North America and beyond are showing up in droves to sing along to his hits. Brown’s stardom keeps growing across genres.
The Winnipeg concert will certainly thrill Brown’s Canadian fans. At the same time, it offers another milestone in the rising career of one of country music’s most exciting new stars. Kane Brown is showing how the genre can evolve and grow to reach wider audiences. That kind of influence will reshape country music well beyond just one tour.
Conclusion
Kane Brown’s concert in Winnipeg is shaping up to be one of the hottest country shows of the year for Canadian fans. They are anxious to learn who Brown has selected as his opening act to kick off what will undoubtedly be an electric night of music.
Based on tour logistics and her strong stage presence, Gabby Barrett seems the most likely choice as Brown’s opener for the Winnipeg performance. However, Lindsay Ell and Jimmie Allen would also be excellent options. Whichever rising country star gets the nod, they will play the key role of exciting the crowd before Brown takes over.
The October 8th show at Canada Life Centre will draw thousands of cheering Kane Brown fans. They will be treated to a diverse setlist of his chart-topping hits mixed with newer songs and old favorites. Winnipeg concertgoers are guaranteed an evening of nonstop entertainment and country party anthems.
More broadly, Brown’s commanding stage presence and innovative songs are elevating him to the top level of stardom. He is breaking ground as one of the most successful and influential young artists in country music today. Winnipeg provides the next stop on his journey toward superstardom.