Miranda Lambert rocks the socks off Greene Stadium

Renowned country artist and multiple Grammy winner Miranda Lambert took the stage at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium Friday night in one of the largest concerts in ETSU history.

Lambert’s opening act, The Cadillac Three, a country rock band originating in Tennessee, kicked off the show as a crowd of more than 11,000 took their seats. 

Lambert took the stage at close to 9:15 p.m., beginning with her song “Actin’ Up” from her newest studio album “Palomino,” which was released on the same day as the concert.

“It really is my release party tonight, so I’m really glad to be sharing it with you,” Lambert said to the crowd. “I feel really excited to be celebrating new music tonight.”

Lambert’s more emotional songs “Tin Man” and “The House That Built Me” had thousands singing and swaying together in harmony, lighting up the stadium with their phone flashlights. In contrast, some of her more upbeat records such as “Tequila Does” and “Gunpowder and Lead” brought the audience to their feet, stomping and jumping on the turf of the field. 

Some of her setlist included covers of fellow country musicians such as John Prine and Elle King, with a sprinkle of early ’90s country with her rendition of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn.

Miranda Lambert closed the show with a glamorous version of “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

“I have always wanted to see Miranda Lambert in concert, and tonight was just so much fun. A blast, really,” said Jenny Walker, an avid fan.

This marks the first-ever ETSU concert allowing any alcoholic beverages, as the Johnson City Commission just approved a beer license for William B. Greene Jr. Stadium this past month. It was also the first concert ever hosted in the stadium. Official attendance was 11,180.

The concert was sponsored by the ETSU Student Government Association. SGA sponsors a major concert each fall and spring semester.

For more information on Miranda Lambert’s new studio album, “Palomino,” or her upcoming tour with Little Big Town, visit her website https://www.mirandalambert.com.