Carrie Underwood takes stage in Memphis Wednesday
Fifteen years after nailing her audition on “American Idol,” Carrie Underwood has gone on to become one of the biggest singing stars in the world.
The Oklahoma-born country-pop hit-maker will be in Memphis on Wednesday, headlining a show at the Fedexforum as part of her “Cry Pretty Tour 360.”
Here are five things to know before you go:
The album: ‘Cry Pretty’
Underwood is coming to town in support of her 2018 album, “Cry Pretty.” Released last fall, the disc debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the U.S. (as well as the U.K., Canada and Australia) and has since gone on to be certified gold. The record has also spawned three top 20 country hits in the title track, “Love Wins” and “Southbound.”
Underwood is also up for several CMA Awards, including Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year. Underwood will host the CMA Awards on Nov. 13.
The tour: ‘Cry Pretty Tour 360’
Underwood announced the “Cry Pretty Tour 360” tour in August 2018, to commence in spring 2019. The delay between the album release and the start of the roadwork was due to Underwood’s pregnancy; she gave birth to her second son, with former NHL player Mike Fisher, in January.
Her sixth headlining tour, the “Cry Pretty” run is scheduled to wrap up on Halloween in Detroit. In all, Underwood will have played 60 shows in the U.S., Europe and Canada.
Billboard estimates that the tour will generate in excess of $50 million. Underwood has pledged that a dollar from each ticket sold will be donated to Danita’s Children, an organization that helps youth in Haiti.
The concert: Expect chart-toppers along with some cover songs
Underwood’s shows have typically taken the form of a 23-song, two-hour set that sees her covering the full scope of her catalog, from her latest LP all the way back to her 2007 debut, “Some Hearts,” while taking in her many charttopping hits (15 in all).
Underwood’s show also runs the gamut of covers, with a medley of classic female country anthems (of songs by Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline to Reba Mcentire and Shania Twain) and her interpretation of songs by George Michael and Aerosmith.
Underwood also handpicked a pair of openers for the tour, electing to put together an all-female bill, rounded out by up-and-comers Maddie & Tae and Runaway Jane, who typically join Underwood as guests during her set.
The reviews: ‘Engaged and fiery’
Underwood’s shows have received almost unanimous raves from coast to coast, and all points in between. Her recent performance at Boston’s TD Garden was hailed as “engaged and fiery” by the Boston Globe, while her at show at Los Angeles’ Staples Center prompted the city’s Daily News to observe that “no matter the song … Underwood’s voice soared powerfully all night long.”
The Oklahoman newspaper noted that during her show in Oklahoma City, Underwood “played four instruments, zipped through multiple glittering costume changes and even turned (the arena) into an intimate jazz club, all while belting through a sprawling set list of hits, medleys and new songs in her signature soaring soprano.”
Underwood and her team clearly put a premium on the tour’s presentation, with concert industry trade magazine Pollstar noting the various elements: “Pyro, filmy drapes that serve as projection screens that rise and lower, hydraulic lifts that become performance enhancers, (and) video that reinforces the songs creates a major show.”
The tickets: Memphis show not yet sold out
It’s been a remarkably busy concert year for Memphis in general, and in particular for country acts coming to the Mid-south. It’s possible that’s why Underwood’s Fedexforum show has not yet sold out. Good seats remain in the $63 and $93 tiers, though a handful of $43 seats are also available as of publication.
According to Ticketmaster, all ticket purchases to the show will include a physical copy of Underwood’s album “Cry Pretty.”