The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter enchanted a sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens on Monday. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Eclectic Americana Queen: Sierra Ferrell covered a lot of ground musically on Monday evening. (Photo/Anna Sink)
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“It’s Michi-CAN, not Michi-CAN’T,” singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell called out upon taking the stage Monday at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as part of her “Heavy Petal Tour.”
From that moment on, the audience danced, sang and clapped along at Ferrell’s command for the remainder of the night. Even the forecasted rain and thunderstorms held off for the entirety of the set. It’s hard not to wonder if that, too, was at the West Virginia singer’s command.
Decked out in ruffles, lace, floral hair embellishments and a pair of bedazzled boots, Ferrell’s over-the-top maximalist aesthetic inspired many concertgoers to emulate the singer’s signature style with their carefully chosen concert outfits. Ferrell even graciously accepted multiple bouquets that fans brought to the show.
While Ferrell’s love for theatrics is on full display with this tour, she kept things grounded in reality by speaking about pressing issues that the United States currently faces. Discussions in-between songs included comments about proposed data centers, ICE, protecting the environment, rejecting AI and the rising costs of pretty much everything.
“We have to do something about it. . . We have to do the best we can,” Ferrell said, urging the crowd to take action in small ways within their communities.
Ferrell’s lyrical content doesn’t typically favor politics as a frequent topic, but, with these discussions in mind, songs like “American Dreaming” and “Fox Hunt” became rallying cries for anyone who’s “just trying to survive.”
Theatrical Setting: The stage at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Anna Sink)
These discussions never seemed driven by a desire to alienate or divide listeners, but to unite and inform them. The conversation always circled back around to the message that everyone deserves love and respect regardless of who they are, where they come from or what they look like.
Based on the enthusiastic cheers from the audience, it didn’t seem to be a controversial message to most concertgoers.
The tone was set early in the night when an unlisted opening act (referred to only as “Tyler” by Ferrell at the end of the show) took the stage for a three-song folk set that was both blunt and pointedly political. Following that, The Brudi Brothers delivered a vintage-style Americana set that leaned heavily on blues influences and classic bluegrass harmonies.
Those who may have gone into this show only knowing the tracks that have heavily circulated on social media like “In Dreams” or Ferrell’s rendition of John Anderson’s “Years,” may have been surprised by some of the hidden gems in Ferrell’s discography.
Lesser known tracks such as the Latin-inspired “Why’d You Do It” and “Far Away Across the Sea” with its jazzy, vaudeville-style arrangement are just a few examples of how far Ferrell’s influences often stray from the bluegrass and folk styles she is typically recognized for.
Of course, that classic Sierra Ferrell sound was present in plenty of songs throughout the night including a few sneak peeks at the singer’s upcoming project. The sold-out crowd swayed, twirled, and danced to the infectious fiddle melodies as well as the occasional electric guitar solo that solidified Ferrell’s refusal to conform to a strictly traditional string-band sound.
Outside of Ferrell’s dynamic selection of original tracks, the set list also included a cover of Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers’ “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” which has become a fan-favorite set list staple in recent years and perfectly displays Ferrell’s outstanding vocal abilities.
As the humid night drew to a close and the threat of rain grew more urgent, Ferrell shared a meditative moment with the crowd during which she requested the audience hum together in unison and concentrate on sending good energy to the people in their lives.
The show ended with a longtime fan favorite, Ferrell’s 2021 track “Jeremiah.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Sierra Ferrell, The Brudi Brothers at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Anna Sink
