McGraw, Hill bring Soul2Soul Tour to Knoxville
Grammy Award-winning country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill rock UT with “Soul2Soul 2017” tour
*** Due to technical issues, this story from Sept. 15, 2017 was not published until Sept. 21, 2017***
– TNJN Editorial Staff
For the first time in ten years, country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill perform together on tour taking the stage in over 60 cities including a stop in Knoxville Sept. 14, 2017 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Thursday night’s performance filled the arena with dynamic lights, music and affectionate displays from the husband and wife duo. This is the third “Soul2Soul” tour for the couple following two record-breaking tours in 2000 and 2006-2007.
Singer Eric Paslay opened the show with a selection of his hit songs. He performed “Song about a Girl,” “She Don’t Love You” and “Friday Night.” His guitarist played “Rocky Top” during one of his songs to engage the many Tennessee fans in the crowd.
McGraw and Hill spilt the show into parts: duets and solos. They started the show off by sharing the stage. They performed a new song, “Break First” ending in a staredown between the married couple. Hill won the contest, but she playfully insisted McGraw won. Small interactions like this contest occurred between songs for the duration of the show.
Before McGraw left the stage for Hill’s solo act, he began the LSU chant met with loud “boos” from Tennessee Vol fans. Hill and McGraw teased the crowd by suggesting they would sing “Rocky Top.”
Hill started her solo set by dedicating a song to the ladies in the audience, both “young and older.”
“It’s not gonna be easy, but you’re gonna do it,” Hill said.
Hill continued her set with hit songs like “This Kiss,” “Wild One” and “Piece Of My Heart.” Hill constantly interacted with the crowd blowing kisses to everyone and trying to touch hands with as many fans as possible.
“Y’all are so friendly, I just can’t stand it,” Hill said.
In transition to her husband’s solo set, Hill sat and played the guitar while her husband sang.
McGraw performed hit songs like “Shotgun Rider” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” He held the microphone out towards the crowd who sang the chorus. McGraw looked pleased and chuckled before continuing the next verse. He also performed “How Forever Feels,” “Where the Green Grass Grows” and “Humble and Kind.”
Hill rejoined her husband on stage to sing “Speak To A Girl.” Fans believed the show to be over after the couple sang “It’s Your Love” with a montage of their family photos in the background. After a few moments, Hill walked through the crowd singing “Mississippi Girl” and took pictures and gave hugs to fans. McGraw followed singing “Something Like That” as he walked through the crowd.
The couple came back to the stage as they were elevated through fog sitting face-to-face to end the show with “I Need You” and a kiss.
The “Soul2Soul” tour continues tonight in Greenville, South Carolina.
Featured Photo by Chelsea Babin
Edited by Lexie Little
