Spacey Kacey

Kacey Musgraves fans were treated to a slew of new material from the Texas-born singer, and a lot of it went in new directions. “Velvet Elvis” rocked harder than anything on Musgraves’ latest two LP’s, and it reminded me of Miranda Lambert’s “Pink Sunglasses.”

That might have something to do with Oklahoma-born songwriter Luke Dick, who has writing credits on both tracks.

A couple of fresh Musgraves cuts have a bigger, synthesizer-friendly sound which’ll have an easier time filling the rooms she’s hitting this year. After this “Breakers” tour, she’s opening for Harry Styles on a number of summer concert dates.

Musgraves was a little stiff when she left the comfort of her guitar, but I see that fading away.

She’s got the pipes, slick backing band and glittering jeans to make that stadium transition. The massive rooms aren’t all that new either. Katy Perry recruited the Nashville-based singer to open for her years ago.

A sound opinion

Before the Austinbased trio could finish its set with the infectiously catchy “Drinkin’ Problem,” the band had to overcome another issue.

Midland persevered as the sound cut out twice during a song halfway through the set.

I’d never seen that at arena-level show, but what can you do but play on?

They didn’t miss a beat and continued like nothing had happened. A front of house sound issue, I understand.

My imagination suggested the band might’ve been playing to backing tracks, but the stage was swimming with mics, and the band’s publicist, who was in attendance, called me Friday morning to debunk that idea.

Regardless, it was a fun, spirited set, and it was made especially memorable because they played on that revolving mini stage. Many patrons ditched their sets to gather round and it made it easier to see — and soak in — Midland’s charm.