Hero’s welcome for Musgraves at Masonic show
Being a superstar is tiring work.
Kacey Musgraves is finding that out big time, having shocked the world — and, even more so, herself — with her huge night at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10.
“It’s not like it’s been a crazy week or anything,” the country music artist joked as she noted how tired she was before taking the stage at The Masonic in San Francisco on Saturday. “That’s some wild (expletive).”
She won four awards during the Grammy presentation, but the one that caught everyone’s attention — and elevated Musgraves from critics’ darling to megastar — was for album of the year for her fourth studio album, “Golden Hour.”
Even though there was no clear-cut favorite in the running the Grammy’s biggest prize, “Golden Hour” was still considered by many a long-shot, since it was up against blockbusters from Cardi B, Drake and other marque artists.
“That goes to show you that the love behind the recording was really strong,” Musgraves told the audience at The Masonic. “And that’s because of you.”
Musgraves might have been dragging a little bit going into the show, but she’d quickly perk up once she was greeted by the capacity crowd of fawning fans.
Of course, she has long maintained a sizable fan base in the Bay Area. Many locals started listening to the singer-songwriter with her first — and still best — album, 2013’s “Same Trailer, Different Park.” Yet, the reaction from the crowd this time around was much different than what we’ve seen at previous Musgraves shows in the area.
Fans treated her like a conquering hero, showering Musgraves with the type of full-throttle applause and exuberant cheers often reserved for big boy-band concerts and singing along at the top of their lungs with the star. At times, they even threatened to drown her voice out of the mix.
“It’s obvious you guys have been doing your lyrical homework,” an impressed Musgraves said.
Yet for the most part, Musgraves’ post-Grammy performance was more straightforward and musicfocused than even the last time she performed in the area, as an opening act for Harry Styles. She just kept it simple this time around and let her tunes do the talking.
Good choice. She sounded amazing throughout the night, singing with both personality and poise as she kicked the show off with “Slow Burn” and then continued through “Wonder Woman,” “Lonely Weekend” and more.
The set list was almost entirely devoted to “Golden Hour,” with “Velvet Elvis,” “Butterflies” and — the tour’s namesake — “Oh, What a World” ranking among the highlights.
Yet, it would have been nice to hear more material from her first two albums, which showcase her poignant yet quirky, John Prince-influenced songwriting side. The few older numbers that she did play, such as “Family Is Family” from 2015’s “Pageant Material,” all were among the best of the night.
Then came time for her anthem of acceptance and individuality — “Follow Your Arrow” — which had fans cheering and singing along in approval.
“We all know that country music hasn’t always been the most inclusive environment,” said Musgraves, quickly adding: “Not anymore.”
She saved up some of her finest songs for late in the evening. Yet the one that really had the crowd buzzing wasn’t even written by Musgraves.
Instead, it was the sole cover of the set — a rowdy rendition of NSYNC’s “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” performed alongside opening act Soccer Mommy.