The atmosphere felt a lot more like a 50,000 seat venue than the 5,000 seats
it actually contained.
Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have the kind of chemistry found in a duo
that has played night after night for many more years than the five years these
two have. The energy level at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona,
NY was electric from the time they took the stage until the last chord was played
on their final number.
Jennifer Nettles has a smooth, strong, confident voice that originates from
the very pit of her vocal ability. She sings with passion and is crystal clear
whether it’s a slower number such as Stay or the faster tempo Steve Earle.
Nettles is very comfortable in front of a large audience and she has a natural
ability of getting the crowd to participate in the show.
All I Want to Do, which reached number one in August of this year, was one of
the night’s many shining moments. Maybe because it’s new, but it
got the crowd revved up to a fever pitch with the catchy sing-a-long chorus.
Stepping back a few years to Baby Girl from their Twice the Speed of Life album,
the crowd was in sync word for word, note for note.
Kristian Bush has a very strong stage presence in his own right and an abundance
of energy that kept the crowd energized and moving the whole show, as he did
the same. His smooth guitar playing never missed a beat and his turn on the
mandolin was just as impressive.
The rest of the band was consistent and tight, never sounding like anything
other than true music professionals.
In just the few years that Sugarland has been together, it’s easy to see
that they will continue to become a mainstay in the country music world as each
new album is just a little bit better than the one before.
Review by
Photos by