We have been looking forward to the 2nd annual Citadel Country Spirit music festival since the first one last August. It's quickly becoming a summer staple at Ludwigs Corner in Chester County. We had a blast last year and the same rang true this weekend.
The grounds are much more accessible for a wheelchair this time around. They removed the annoying speed-bumps inside the grounds. Parking was easy and accessible.
The people at Citadel were gracious and friendly. So were the users, ticket-takers and security. The fellow concert-goers, ranging all ages but mostly 20s-40s, were also in a good mood. Lots of beer flowed.
Once again the music festival got lucky with the weather. o humidity, no storms, a perfect, cool weekend. For a concert literally held in a field, weather is key. There's hardly any shade or any protection form rain or thunderstorms, so, for the second straight year, the weather was beautiful.
The line-up this year was more contemporary. The 2018 agenda of Alabama, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley, although all are still popular and relevant, are not up-and-comers like Billy Currington, Little Big Town and Old Dominion, the headliners in 2019.
There were good under cards on all three nights, consisting of mostly young country artists with a few hits but still trying to achieve stardom in Nashville. Here are my brief comments on this year's line-up:
Did not see- Adam Doleac, Claire Dunn, Mitchell Tenpenny.
Devin Dawson- Just ok. Should be more of a songwriter in the future than a singer.
Lauren Alaina-
Saw her before, opening for Rascal Flatts. Good talent but has a ways to go before headlining.
Lee Brice- Enjoyed his lively set. Got to meet Lee before the show when a nice Citadel employee gave us three meet and Greet passes. Brice was friendly and jovial, thanking all his fans. No cell phone pictures were allowed,; no autographs either, which was odd. Still, it was a cool experience.
Billy Currington- Not impressed. Wasn't too familiar with him and his music didn't make me a fan. Like most country artists, he sang about drinking and beer a lot.
Frankie Ballard- A better under card guy, actually showed some passion about being there on a Saturday afternoon.
Lanco- Not impressed again. They were ok and mixed with the crowd, but we not equal to the following act on Saturday night.
Brothers Osbourne- One of the top acts all weekend. Rocked the house and gave it all. I would see them again in concert.
Little Big Town- I recognized most of their songs, even though I'm not a huge country music listener.Interesting, going form almost hard rock with the brothers Osbourne to pop/contemporary country with Little Big Town.
Chris Lane- Nothing unique about his songs or voice, but had much charm during his set. Loved when he called a young 8 or so year old girl on stage with him, and his 90's country melody.
Eli Young Band- Started getting into it too late. Mentioned they were heading home after the show and they played like it, almost mailing in the entire performance. Couldn't get the crowd excited to sing along, especially after the livelier Chris Lane.
Old Dominion- The best of the weekend, by far. You knew their songs yet they did some new stuff from an upcoming album. They have a gift for music and songwriting. What a difference between their songs and others. Their first tour headlining and doing well. I can see them being another Alabama in time.
Hopefully next year they add more established acts and artists, as well as the new music.
The food was good but expensive, as were the usual tees, hats and jackets. The seating for wheelchairs was again on a raised platform about in the middle of the crowd and the view was excellent, with three enormous wide screens near the stage.
All in all, a blast and looking forward already to next year. Getting someone like Keith Urban to perform would be awesome. We will see!
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