Photos by Dawn Hamilton.
She’s back and better than ever! Popular country singer, Carrie Underwood brings her Storyteller Tour to Toronto’s Air Canada Centre last Saturday evening. With already a decade of stardom behind her, Underwood narrates her career on stage with a jam packed selection of hits and glitzy costumes fitted for a country superstar.
With ACDC’s “Back in Black” blasting through the speakers, Underwood appeared in a black studded skirt and top with leather accents beneath a multi-tiered screen. She opened with “Renegade Runaway” behind a stream of lights, smoke, and lasers. From that moment, we knew we were witnessing an artist with impeccable talent.
Underwood wandered around the stage during a medley of “Last Name” and “Somethin’ Bad”, greeting her 17,000 plus attendees with a wave. When the singer asked the audience to sing-a-long to her rock-fuelled “Undo It”, without hesitation the crowd participated. “Thank you for that incredible welcome Toronto.” she said softly once the crowd quite down from their applauds
For act two: Underwood wore a nude coloured dress with mini crystals around the edges while performing atop a tavern jukebox for “Cowboy Casanova”. From there, it was a musical mix of ballads, rock and roll, and country rock featuring “Heartbeat”, “Dirty Laundry” and Blown Away”. But out of all the songs, Underwood proclaimed “this next song will always be my favourite to sing” which was fan-favourite “Jesus, Take the Wheel”.
Underwood has always been something reminiscent to 90s’ country-pop performers like Shaina Twain and Faith Hill. With her catchy tunes, a stunning vibrato and powerhouse voice, it’s no surprise that Underwood has become the country music legend of this generation.
The highlight of the evening could be classified as the most personal part of the tour. For this act, Underwood opens up about growing up in a city where country music is not only accepted but encouraged. She spoke about her adoration for country music legend Dolly Parton followed by a brilliant cover of “I Will Always Love You” which she had done acapella.
Afterwards Underwood spoke about her marriage to Nashville Predators hockey player, Mike Fisher. “8 years ago in this very same arena is where I met my husband” she said. “This venue will always hold a special place in my heart”. She then dedicated “What I Never Knew I Always Wanted” to Fisher as a montage of the couple and their son, Isaiah were shown on screen.
The final acts included a cover of Nitty Gritty Ditry Band’s “Fishin’ in the Dark” with opening acts Easton Corbin and the Swon Brothers coming on stage helping Underwood turn a classic tune into a foot-stomping romp. She closed the main set with her biggest hit “Before He Cheats”.
