A Dose of Virtual Reality

Brad Paisley’s enthusiasm for Minnesota evident throughout his performance at the Xcel Energy Center

Brad Paisley delivered a dose of country to St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 14, stopping at the Xcel Energy Center as part of his Virtual Reality tour.

Image credit: Photo by Patrick Dunn

Recommended by the Editor

Still Sassy

The Sounds of Space

By: Patrick Dunn

Fans who caught Brad Paisley's show at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center on Saturday didn't have to wait until the end of the show to hear the song they were waiting for. 

Instead, Paisley opened his performance by playing his current hit song about his favorite "color," camouflage, which was in abundance among the crowd (alas, Paisley, who renamed the Camobunga tour the Virtual Reality Tour at the last minute, wore a tee-shirt that read “Have your people call my people,” rather than the hunter’s stripes).

PHOTOS: BRAD PAISLEY AT THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER

The third stop on Paisley’s winter jaunt, Paisley’s show was an ambitious effort that entertained everyone from those at the front of the stage to concertgoers who took a seat in the upper deck. Several large video screens made up the backdrop, providing not only a better view of the performance, but helped deliver some of the songs’ messages with synched up video. 

The giant stage also had a long runway in the center and separate runways down each of the sides, allowing Paisley to perform to all parts of the arena.  At one point in the evening, Paisley even left the main stage and walked through the crowd to a smaller stage near the back of the arena where he stopped to perform a couple hits. 

Paisley’s enthusiasm for Minnesota was evident throughout the performance. He said his favorite fans are in Minnesota and that he always looks forward to playing here. Adding to his local cred, he joined  Garrison Keillor for an episode of Prairie Home Companion before the show (Keillor returned the favor, and spent his evening as Paisley’s show). Rockabilly legend Brian Setzer was also at the show, which speaks loudly to how accomplished a guitarist Paisley is. 

Opening act Scotty McCreery, the winner of last year’s American Idol, opened the show and joined Paisley onstage during the performance of “Celebrity” as a cleverly shot video played in the background poking fun at some of the best-known celebrity bad behaviors.

Fellow opener Kimberly Perry also got a second act, performing Allison Krauss’ part with Paisley in the 2003 hit “Whiskey Lullaby.”  Even Carrie Underwood made a “virtual” appearance to perform “Remind Me” her duet with Paisley, his most recent video. 

The sold-out crowd was on their feet throughout the 22-song set and were most certainly treated to a first rate evening of country music fun, camo and all.