Steve Earle – Fifty One Years Of Songs And Stories Tour @ Empire Theatre
Steve Earle – 51 Years of Songs And Stories Tour
Empire Theatre – Belleville, Ontario – Review and pics by Stuart Roberts
American roots legend, Steve Earle, gave the July 4th sold out crowd at the Empire Theatre everything they expected and more.
The two hour show came across like a live retrospective of Earle’s 51 year music career. The solo acoustic format allowed an up close experience for the audience as Steve talked about his songs, his life, growing up and dealing with addiction issues setting a feel good vide in the theatre. Switching between his twelve string guitar, and his standard acoustic, stories and songs flowed out with background details explained/and influences revealed on classics like “Guitar Town”, “Copperhead Road” and “Transcendental Blues”.
Earle demonstrated why he is one of this world’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters with something to tell in every song. He is also a celebrated author with the release of “Dog House Rose” – a short story collection released in 2023. Steve Earle was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2020, and more recently honored with an invitation to join a distinguished members list at The Grand Ole Opry.
Matt Kirk from New Braunfels, Texas was given the opener title on a leg of this tour, where audiences were impressed with guitar and mandolin pickin as he rolled out a set that featured “Without The Dark”, “A Perfect Heart” and teased us with a new track coming out in three weeks. Kirk was vocal rich, and high recommended to check out as he resumes touring with his band, Matt Kirk and The Gueyfarers.
The 51 Years of Stories and Song marked Steve Earle’s third appearance at The Empire Theatre. The cross Canada solo tour started July 2 in Frederiction, New Brunswick with stops in Mariposa, Ottawa Bluesfest, Winnipeg, and winding up at the Great Canadian Casino in Vancouver.
Steve Earle
Matt Kirk
Steve Earle Setlist:
Tom Ames’ Prayer
Ben McCulloch
Guitar Town
Someday
I Ain’t Ever Satisfied
Copperhead Road
Billy Austin
Goodbye
Sparkle and Shine
Fearless Heart
You’re The Best Lover That I Ever Had (Steve Earle & The Dukes song)
South Nashville Blues
CCKMP
Transcendental Blues
Angel Is the Devil
Volver a Celaya
City of Immigrants
Encore:
Dominic Street / The Galway Girl
