Midland and Holler Live Presents Celebrate Release of 'Barely Blue' with Montucky Cold Snacks at Riverside Revival Show

With their exciting, Dave Cobb-produced fourth album, Barely Blue, released this past Friday (September 20), Midland celebrated in style on Wednesday with a special album release show presented by Holler and Montucky Cold Snacks.

Taking place in the grand and unique surroundings of Riverside Revival in East Nashville, TN, the band emphasised the singularity of the event as they introduced themselves. “We’re used to playing arenas,” the group's lead vocalist, Mark Wystrach, mentioned, “so it’s nice to play in a church”. Running through select cuts from their new record and choice hits, the trio offered a delightful opening run-through of the title track and a grand singalong of their smash hit ‘Drinking Problems’.

Bathed in low lighting and bedecked in their now famous retro western style, the group brought the whole band along for the intimate procession, presenting a delightful opportunity to witness them not only introduce us to these new songs, but play a loose and evidently fun rock n roll show, complete with special guests and celebratory moments.

‘Fourteen Gears’ reminds us why we fell in love with the group in the first place, their soft harmonies and road-worn lyricism romancing us just as they did back in 2019. ‘Old Fashioned Feeling’, meanwhile, sounds like an old friend returning home, despite having just been released as the lead single of this latest record. Live, it smoulders - a true lovelorn waltz that’ll become a staple of their live set and light the hearts of many who get to witness them live in the future.

The evening also saw a special appearance from a certain Holler favourite, Kaitlin Butts. Having ran from the Americana Honors and Awards at The Ryman, Butts waltzed onto the stage to join the group for their Barely Blue-featured crooner ‘Vegas’. It’s safe to say we’re glad she made it, her voice encompassing the room and offering a delightful warmth and emotion to the proceedings.

The crowd lapped up every second of the group's set, screaming and singing along in unison, while a choice few line-danced around the church-esque hall. For those eagle-eyed in attendance, they may have spotted Butts do-se-doing with pals Lola Kirke and Maggie Antone at the back of the hall to the trio’s famous honky tonk waltz.

Opening the night was rising Kentucky country star Walker Montgomery, who had the crowd charmed with his neo-traditional sound and deep bellow of a voice. Treating us to a stripped-back, power acoustic set, Walker tore everything back and spoke from the heart to those in attendance, while also treating us to a couple of his dad John Michael Montgomery’s biggest hits, including the stunning ‘I Love The Way You Love Me’. Closing out with the classic ‘Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)’, Montgomery paid an endearing tribute to his father while showing why everyone is getting excited about this young prospect.

The event kicked off Midland’s Get Lucky North American Tour, which now sees the group head across the US and Canada for arena shows throughout the rest of the year. If Wednesday’s show was anything to go by, it’s one you are sure not going to want to miss.

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