Kid Rock wasn’t playin’ around when he came through a SOLD OUT Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore Saturday night for his American Rock’n Roll tour. Country-Southern Rock band, A Thousand Horses, opened up the show and came to impress as they warmed up the crowd for the main act.
After a performance to remember from A Thousand Horses, Kid Rock took the stage. Kid Rock is a self-taught singer-songwriter, musician and multi-instrumentalist who’s been killin’ it in the music biz playing rock, hip-hop, and country for nearly 30 years. He made a statement opening up the show with one of his newest jams “Greatest Show on Earth” from 2017 album Sweet Southern Sugar. Backing the singer in black was the talented Twisted Brown Trucker band, two scantily clad pole dancers, a large backdrop screen, and a lit-up KID ROCK sign. After leaving the stage for a moment, Kid Rock returned to the stage behind a podium, accompanied by his two dancers holding American flags. He was wearing a black jumpsuit with an American flag scarf with the screen backdrop reading Kid Rock ‘18 for US Senate. The crowd enthusiastically cheered, whistled, and clapped before he began delivering a five to six minute speech on his political views including topics on health care, racism, and religion.
The speech led into his 2006 Cocky hit, “You Never Met a Motherf-cker Quite Like Me,” and what sounded like a canon blast with pyrotechnic stage effects. You would never guess that the man is 47 years old with the way he was jumping and rocking all over the stage like it was ‘99. The set list featured mostly throwback hits and old school fans were treated with “American Bad Ass,” “Wasting Time,” “Cocky,” “Cowboy,” and “All Summer Long.”
Kid Rock’s new song “Po-Dunk” from late album Sweet Southern Sugar went over well with the crowd where people were dancing and seen wearing t-shirts displaying the lyrics ‘Don’t give a flying hillbilly f-ck’. Kid Rock left the stage for a break when his longtime friend and DJ, Paradime, took over. He entertained the crowd poking fun at Kid Rock aka Bob with photos displayed up on the big screen from his childhood through his career. He compared elementary school photos with funny haircuts to more recent photoshoots saying things like, “You’re telling me this guy became this?”. The crowd was lovin’ it as the venue filled with laughter. Kid Rock returned to the stage carrying an old school boombox, kicking off his 1998 Devil Without a Cause hit, “Welcome 2 the Party (Ode 2 the Old School)” before spinning the turntables at the DJ booth. He showed off his scratching skills with ease while lighting a cigar and pouring a glass of Jim Beam. After that, he visited the guitar and drums playing some blues and a snippet of “Cat Scratch Fever” by Ted Nugent. Next, he slowed it down a bit with popular hits “Rock N Roll Jesus” and “Only God Knows Why.”
He ended the set playing piano and singing “Born Free,” featuring a tribute to the US military on the big screen. After a brief break, Kid Rock returned to the stage for a three-song encore. He played country-rock songs “American Rock n Roll” featuring a tribute on the screen to big name bands and musicians, then “Picture” featuring a duet with a female backup singer. The soft country song was interrupted by Beavis and Butthead on the backdrop screen. The cartoon characters blasted the Kid saying, Beavis: “Uhh what is this? It’s supposed to be Kid Rock heh heh.” Butthead: “More like Kid Sucks heh heh.” Kid Rock threw his hands in the air and started going into 1998 Devil Without a Cause hit “Bawitdaba” for the final song of the night. He clearly gave his all during the final song as he was jumping in all directions and running back and forth on stage. Behind him, Twisted Brown Trucker band was totally in sync, rocking out, and smiling ear to ear, looking like they were really enjoying themselves. Pyrotechnic stage effects were blasting off and the two dancers were stripped down and swinging on the poles. The crowd had their fists and middle fingers in the air, totally living it up. This was a great concert that was entertaining from start to finish. The only thing I could’ve really done without was the political speech. Is it possible to go to a concert or show anymore without political agenda being shoved down our throats? When I go to a concert, I’m going to have a good time, let loose and get away from the day-to-day struggles. What I liked most was how they brought comedy into the show and Kid Rock was able to laugh at himself. That’s not something you see often at rock concerts, and it presented a different, more positive vibe. Next up, the American Rock n Roll tour heads to Newark, NJ.
Check out our Exclusive Photo Gallery from the show below by our photographer, Theresa Lynn.
Setlist
Greatest Show on Earth
You Never Met a Motherf-cker Quite Like Me
American Bad Ass
Slow My Roll
Wasting Time
Cocky
All Summer Long
Po-Dunk
Cowboy
Welcome 2 the Party (Ode 2 the Old School)
DJ Bobby Shazam (Kid Rock): What’s My Name
Cat Scratch Fever (Ted Nugent cover)
Rock N Roll Jesus
Only God Knows Why
Born Free
Encore
American Rock n Roll
Picture
Bawitdaba
Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 9th – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
March 10th – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
March 16th – Chicago, IL – United Center
March 17th – Omaha, NE – Centurylink Center
March 20th – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
March 23rd – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Arena
March 24th – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
April 10-14th – Miami, FL – 9th Annual Kid Rock Cruise
August 9th – Buffalo Chip, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip
August 11th – Red Wing, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino
August 19th – Brownsville, OR – Bi-Mart Williamette Country Music Festival
Check out Kid Rock’s latest music video for “American Rock’n Roll”:
