While countless tours and events have been canceled in the wake of the coronavirus, several country artists decided to treat their fans to an online concert on Monday evening (March 16).
Keith Urban was joined by his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, at his warehouse in Nashville for a 32-minute set streamed live on Instagram, while Hunter Hayes put on a hour-long concert at his rehearsal facility in Nashville.
“I was supposed to be playing tonight and I thought it would be nice to be able to play anyway,” Urban said ahead of his set streamed live on Instagram. “Even though we can’t be in front of all of you guys tonight, I want to be able to play some songs and bring some entertainment to wherever you guys are watching.”
Urban kicked off his set with fan favorite “Somebody Like You” where he cleverly changed the lyrics. “It sure feels good to be playing live music for you on Instagram tonight,” he sang.
There were limited people in his warehouse, included someone behind the camera and his “track guy” helping him lay down the beat of each song as well as Kidman who danced and sang along to new single “God Whispered Your Name.” “I love that song!” Kidman said as the track came to an end.
“Nicole Mary, I’ve got an audience of one tonight,” he said pointing to his wife. “There’s four of us here in our little bunker. If you want to sing along at home, sing, or wherever you are.
“Sounds like my club days. That’s how we’re rolling right here. Lose … I’m trying to bring a little bit of relief in any way I can right now.”
Additional highlights during Urban’s set included the feel-good “Coming Home,” thoughtful “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and energetic “The Fighter.” All the while, Urban slayed on electric guitar while Kidman was shown in the background dancing and singing Carrie Underwood’s part of “The Fighter.”
Hayes also hosted a hourlong set live from his rehearsal space in Nashville with the help of a generator as the area lost power following the devastation of the tornadoes that hit the area in early March.
“Even at a time like this, music is a powerful healing agent,” he said. Hayes’ 11-song set included previous singles “I Want Crazy,” “Wanted” and “One Shot” as well as fan favorites “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me” and “One Good Reason.”
Additional country acts including the Young Fables and countless folk and Americana singers will be hosting similar live streams later tonight and this weekend. The Young Fables’ Facebook Live is scheduled for Tuesday evening (March 17) at 9 p.m. ET while the Shut In & Sing StageIt concert will be hosted over the weekend.
Urban and Hayes’ live sets are below.
