Keith Urban pulled the Ripcord and landed safely in Toronto at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre Friday night. What a great show! Playing the first of a two night stand at the open air venue, and the third in the Live Nation Country Mega Ticket Series, Urban shows why he is amongst the most popular of the country scene with his polished stage performance and great music. I have to say, we’ve been really fortunate here at Sound Check Entertainment to be able to bring you coverage of these shows. This summer has kicked off with some big ones, and this is another to be added to that list. While we didn’t have photo access to the night’s two opening acts (sorry, it happens), it didn’t degrade our experience.

This night started off with Sony Music artist Maren Morris playing a solid set. People were still filing into the amphitheatre when she took the stage, and to all those who took their time to get to the show, you missed out! She is shorter in stature, but this lady is a little dynamo. She can sing! Maren has burst out of the gates with her album Hero. Her single My Church is killing it on radio with an amazing original sound and a great voice. Friday night was my first chance to see her play live and she did not disappoint. I definitely want to see more of her!

Next up on the bill was Illinois native Brett Eldredge who ramped things up just another notch. Making his third visit to Toronto, Brett wasted no time in trying to make some new friends as he handed out some long stem roses to very excited ladies in the general admission pit in front of the stage. Smooth move Brett! His band was on, and their time on stage was also well received by the growing crowd. With Eldredge’s hits like Lose My Mind and Drunk On Your Love, they showed why there are a good addition to this Ripcord Tour.

Just ahead of the arrival of some rain, Keith Urban popped up on stage backlit by a single spotlight and getting the music started with his banjo. And that was where everyone rose up on their feet. The Ripcord Tour had arrived! I could likely go on and on about Keith and his voice and his stage prescence. But I am going to keep it pretty simple. He rocked the place! He is a showman, and he knows how to work a stage and the crowd.

Keith Urban performs at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto. Photo: Scott Burns

One thing I will mention more about though is his guitar playing. This was a country show, but man, he laid down a killer guitar solo that would make any rocker proud. There was some definite shredding being done here. Loved it. He performed The Fighter, a duet with Carrie Underwood, with Carrie’s voice and image being supplied by some sampled tracks and the huge video screen. That was pretty cool. Even cooler was Urban’s ability to take the show to the now wet fans up on the lawn. This area has no roof over it, so these folks definitely got a little wet. However, this didn’t dampen their spirit. And when Keith and the boys made their way up to a small covered stage in the 400 level of seats, the folks on the lawns had him right there, up close and personal. That’s how you reach your crowd!