Christian pop gallops into rodeo
Lauren Daigle is only the second Christian pop singer to perform at RodeoHouston. (Australian duo For King & Country was the first in 2022.) But she took a few minutes late in her set to show off her country chops.
Daigle challenged the crowd of 67,131 to a few rounds of “country music trivia.” She asked them to sing along as the band played Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel like a Woman” and Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” She sang a few seconds of “9 to 5.” The audience seemed stumped, however, with “Angel from Montgomery,” the John Prine tune most famously recorded by Bonnie
Raitt.
Daigle, a Lake Charles native, was all about love and togetherness — sonically and visually. She wore a white jacket and pants covered with rainbows, flowers, stars and feel-good phrases: “I love puppies,” “angel,” “snail’s pace.” Silver paint surrounded her eyes.
It’s that love-all mentality that’s made her a crossover star. Her song “You Say” became a pop crossover hit, and “Look Up Child” is the highest-charting (No. 3) Christian album by a woman in more than 20 years.
She’s charming and engaging onstage and seems to be having a genuinely good time. Her music is equally bright and shiny. But she has a distinct vocal rasp that gives it a welcome edge. (It earned her appearances on multiple seasons of “American Idol.”)
Daigle was backed by a trio of soulful singers, and a band that included Houston percussionist Javier Solis. Kickoff tune “Still Rolling Stones” benefited from a horn section and its “rise up” chorus. “Your Wings” bounced along a reggae-lite groove. “Come Back Home” incorporated EDM flourishes.
She performed a few new songs, including the single “Thank God I Do,” out next week, and “Waiting.” Between songs, she talked about her faith.
“I love that no matter how far gone you are, God always has your number,” she said. “I’m so glad I get to sing about him tonight. It’s the best thing I could ever sing about.”
And the stadium said, “Amen.”