Little Big Town Brings the Party for Two Nights of Theater Shows

October 14, 2021

As soon as the clock hit 7:00pm on Friday October 8th, the Santander Performing Arts Center lobby was packed full of denim, cowboy boots, flannel, and more than a few cowboy hats as an excited crowd piled in for night one of Little Big Town’s two-night stint in Reading. 

While everybody grabbed their Wine, Beer, and Whiskey (a la Little Big Town) and filed into their seats, singer-songwriter Ashley Ray began her whirlwind supporting set with her husband at her side accompanying on guitar. The Nashville-based artist took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, singing songs about everything from drinking and partying to love and loss. Despite some heavier topics, she managed to keep the mood light with her humor, admitting, “I’m unprepared. I lost my pick but I DO have my vodka,” which is arguably equally important.


During Intermission, the crowd was buzzing with excitement, ready for Little Big Town to take the stage. And when that moment happened, it was nothing short of incredible. Between the group’s famous vocal harmonies, the lighting and stage design, and the overall sonic of the moment, the room came alive as they opened the set with “Next To You,” the first song on their latest album, Nightfall. The album’s titular track came next, followed by “Sober” continuing the ethereal feeling of the beginning of the performance.

The turning point of the show was brought in by the iconic beach party country song, “Pontoon,” which brought every member of the audience to their feet to sing along, proving vocalist Karen Fairchild’s observation that “the spiritual and meaningful [songs] weren’t the ones that resonated. It was the drinking ones.” As the show continued, the subject matter of the song didn’t matter.


The audience was so engaged in the music and every word they sang. The group was easily just as engaged, interacting effortlessly with individuals in the audience and even gave special attention to a little girl in the front row, making sure to give her a guitar pick. It seems Southern hospitality is a real thing. The show ended with one of the band’s drinking anthems, “Wine Beer Whiskey” which left the audience at an all-time high and wanting more. Of course, the band happily obliged and returned with an encore of fan favorites, “Boondocks” and “Girl Crush,” two of the band’s most successful songs. 

Article Written By:

Alayna McCarty
By Matt Christine April 1, 2025
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