I walk through downtown Nashville, past the infamous Broadway street where country fans, bachelorette parties, and bars line the sidewalks, making my way to Ryman Auditorium. However, the other attractions pale in comparison compared to the amount of indie kids waiting to see the biggest event of the night: Faye Webster. As I approach the line, I meet a group of girls who share my intense enthusiasm for Webster. I soon discover that we all came from far and wide for this show, with them hailing from Arkansas and I from Indiana. Shoulders touching dresses touching minion costumes, we were packed like sardines coming into the venue. It was a sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium.
When I get to the photo pit, a friendly usher details the rich history of the auditorium to me. The Ryman Auditorium, opened in 1892, is best known for housing the Grand Ole Opry back in the day. With its stained glass windows and church pews, the auditorium has cemented itself as a unique venue that attracts equally iconic musicians. Performers from far and wide have graced the stage of the church-like structure: Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Harry Styles, and now Faye Webster, to name a few.
The lights hush and the stage vibrates with acoustics. Los Angeles-based opener Miya Folick appears on stage with a saxophonist, keyboardist, and guitarist at her side. She dons a gray sweater and gold heart necklace, a pairing that compliments her music perfectly, with songs filled about love and her soft voice. Warm strings and love swells the stage as Folick laments about complicated relationships on her song, “La Da Da.” Miya soothes the audience and I with her heartfelt singing before Webster steps in.
After a brief hiatus, the crowd’s attention is called to a giant t-shirt in the middle of the stage. A projection is displayed upon the shirt, featuring a chorus of minions singing the first notes of “But Not Kiss.” Faye Webster herself then comes onstage, silencing the minions, and begins the concert/song. “But Not Kiss,” the first single off of her latest album, Underdressed at the Symphony, is a vibrant song that combines explosive piano and the in-betweens of love.
I can’t talk about the Webster concert without discussing the set. The set mimics a laundromat, a style used by Webster to promote Underdressed at the Symphony, with a set of washers lined up behind the musicians. Throughout the set, we watch as the washers light up colors complimenting the sounds of the night.
Webster isn’t shy of featuring her past discography, incorporating past records like I Know I’m Funny haha and Atlanta Millionaires Club. “Right Side of my Neck,” a story about longing, rings through the venue as Webster croons over a piano and guitar. She goes on to play hits like “Cheers” and “A Dream with a Baseball Player.”
Transitioning back to her latest record, Webster sings “He Loves Me Yeah!”, a song that depicts being in an affectionate relationship and expressing gratitude for the care taken by her partner. During this song, however, Webster notably changes the pronouns from “he” to “she,” nodding to her current relationship with a woman. Webster also goes on to sing “After the First Kiss,” a currently unreleased song also written about this new relationship.
After a powerful setlist, the audience and I are still hungry for more as we cheer for an encore. The stage lights up again and eager cries ensue when Webster and her band come out again. The encore features “Feeling Good Today,” off Underdressed at the Symphony, and “Kingston,” one of Webster’s all-time biggest hits. These notes of love leave us feeling content as we enter into the streets of Nashville. Faye Webster has solidified herself as an artist within the realms of Ryman Auditorium.’
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