Thomas Rhett is a born entertainer. It is perhaps easy to forget just how many hits he has delivered over the course of his career, given his humility and the way he carries himself (even recording a message for his children live on stage at the arena), yet at the O2 in London during C2C Festival, Rhett showcased just why he is so deserving of his headliner status. From his opener, ‘Craving You,’ Rhett captivated his audience, holding his fans in the palm of his hand for the entirety of his set until the last bars of ‘What’s Your Country Song?’ The true mark of his talent – his ability to energise the crowds in the larger numbers (T-Shirt / Ain’t Nothing That A Beer Can’t Fix), yet seemingly shrink the crowd and provide an intimate moments on quieter songs (Slow Down Summer / Marry Me.

Across the course of 90 minutes, Rhett performed hit after hit, rounding out his sound with some stronger guitar work – from steel to acoustic – and some quieter piano moments. Rhett hardly missed a beat as he pivoted between emotions, moods and sounds, thriving on the responsive audience that were hanging on his every word. Easy highlights were provided on his huge cover of ‘She Had Me at Heads Carolina,’ that he co-wrote with Ashley Gorley (recorded by Cole Swindell), and his pivots into some of his earlier hits, including ‘Crash and Burn’ and ‘Get Me Some of That,’ before an acoustic performance of a new track ‘Feeling Country,’ delivered with ease. Without a doubt though, one of the most emotional moments was on his love letter to his wife Lauren – ‘Angels,’ a gorgeously, authentic and powerful moment. Mid-set, Thomas Rhett was joined by friend Niall Horan for a rendition of his track ‘Slow Hands,’ where (apologies to any 1D fans), Rhett dominated the stage and Horan’s star paled in comparison.

Friday showed the extent to which Thomas Rhett is revered by his UK fans, turning the O2 into a honkytonk dive bar party. What an astonishing show and credit to the festival for knowing their fanbase.

Set List

Craving You

Look What God Gave Her

Half of Me

Life Changes

Slow Down Summer

Make Me Wanna

Marry Me

Get Me Some of That / It Goes Like This

Vacation

Paradise

Slow Hands (with Niall Horan)

Beer Can’t Fix

Angels

She Had Me at Heads Carolina

Die a Happy Man

Feelin’ Country

Country Again

Unforgettable

Sixteen

Crash and Burn

T Shirt

What’s Your Country Song

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