Josh Turner | Faith Groves
Arcada Theatre | St. Charles, IL | Saturday August 29th at 8:00pm
The Arcada Theatre was filled with the sound of country music from Josh Turner when he brought his This Country Music Thing Tour to St. Charles, Illinois. With fans pouring in to hear Turner’s rich baritone voice, they were able to hear from up-and-coming artist Faith Groves.
With heartfelt vocals and her contemporary sound, Groves set the tone of the night by warming up the crowd. Her bold, confident voice carried throughput the historic theatre and captured the attention of the audience. Groves performed many of her own songs, including “Get the Hell Outta My Way” and “Classic,” along with some covers including a tribute to Dolly Parton with “I Will Always Love You.” She left the fans eager for the night ahead.
The atmosphere shifted when the lights dimmed and Turner stepped onto the stage. His deep baritone filled the theatre with his opening song “Whirlwind” which drew in the audience for a night of traditional country. Turner has been in the music industry for two decades and has stayed true to his sound over the years, drawing in new fans while also keeping the longtime ones excited for his new music.
He moved effortlessly through various seasons of music, including classics such as “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Would You Go with Me,” and “Your Man.” Turner also performed some of his newer music and shared stories that solidified the importance of the music. “Unsung Hero” is a song that Turner wrote about his grandfather who was in World War II that he has been able to perform for military soldiers on their bases, as well at the White House. While Turner’s voice captures the audience’s attention, his truthful stories behind his sings keep the fans engaged and connected more with the music. Turner’s unique storytelling through his music allows his fans to relate to his music in their personal own ways.
Turner’s ability to let his voice and stories carry throughout the performance is what makes him stand out as an artist. His vocals and storytelling complemented well with his easy-going stage presence, making the evening feel intimate and personal for every member of the audience. With the backdrop of the historic theatre, the warm, nostalgic environment carried through the whole night.
Turner and Groves gave the audience a well-rounded performance containing both contemporary and traditional country with rich voices that held the night together. By the final notes of Turner’s encore of “Long Black Train,” the audience was on their feet celebrating a night they will remember. It was clear by the end of the evening that Turner’s songs still have the power to bring a theatre full of fans together.
For additional information on these artists and events coming to the Arcada Theatre, please visit:
Josh Turner- https://www.joshturner.com
Faith Groves- https://www.faithgroves.com
Arcada Theatre- https://www.arcadalive.com
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Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske