Orville Peck Lights Up Charlotte

The Stampede Tour Marches Into Skyla Credit Union Ampitheatre

In celebration of his latest release Stampede, Vol.1, country musician Orville Peck has hit the road on The Stampede Tour bringing his unique brand of old-school country across the U.S. After kicking off the tour in Asheville, Peck stopped here in Charlotte for an evening at the Skyla Credit Union Ampitheatre that fans won’t soon forget. 

Fans were eagerly lined up waiting for the venue doors to open and a wide variety of cowboy boots and hats could be seen snaking all the way around the corner. We had everything from standard brown boots to pink glitter along with traditional cowboy hats and even some that lit up. I even spotted some chaps in the crowd and a few fringed masks. It was definitely going to be a night to remember and everyone was pumped up for the show. 

The evening got started with up-and-coming singer Debbii Dawson. You may remember her from the television show America’s Got Talent when thousands of fans were disappointed when she was eliminated from the competition. Fast forward to 2024 and Debbii is on her very first tour which she shyly proclaimed from behind the microphone. Her songs were of the melancholy variety and she definitely had the voice to match. Dawson proved to be a wisp of fresh air on a hot, summer night and we look forward to hearing more from this rising artist. Debbii’s new EP How To Be Human is scheduled to be released on June 28th and you can pre-save it here. 

After a short break, it was time to really get the party started with the one and only Durand Jones. The ultra-talented performer hit the stage with his full band, saxophone in one hand, face beaming as he waved to the crowd. Jones brought the heat, wailing away on that sax as he brought the best of the Louisiana bayou here to North Carolina. 

Jones was on fire as he bent and twisted, swinging his microphone in giant circles around him. He even took the time to chat with the crowd about coming out and how special it was to be able to be his authentic self on the stage even joking that he was after all in the Queen City. 

His set really set the tone for the rest of the show. It was fun and over the top and he was uniquely wonderful in every possible way. 

Next up, it was finally time for the main event. The stage was set with a riser at the rear for the drummer and a bevy of microphones scattered about for the rest of the band members. A huge Orville Peck sign hung at the rear of the stage, although this would not light up until about mid-way through the show. 

The band came out in country attire with dazzling colors and patterns, and tons of fringe to complete their looks. Of course, we all waited with bated breath to see how Orville himself would look when he made his appearance. After a few brief moments, the wait was finally over and Peck made his appearance, guitar in hand. Dressed in a red, satin outfit, glitzy cowboy hat atop his head, and of course, a signature Lone Ranger-style mask across his face, Peck was a vision.  

The stage resembled the set of an old Western movie with the backdrop resembling a sunset that changed throughout the set. Peck began with “Big Sky” off his Pony album and the crowd went crazy. Now, I have to say, that Orville’s voice is truly unique. It does remind me of the beginning of an old spaghetti Western but also was very reminiscent of Elvis Presley in a lot of ways. However you describe it, it’s one of a kind and he sounded phenomenal as he passed a rose off to a lucky fan at the barricade to end “Roses Are Falling.” 

Peck’s band is made up of top-notch musicians and the music sounded amazing as Peck’s vocals serenaded us under the clear night sky. Not only did Peck sound fantastic, but he had a wonderful stage presence. He told us stories and interacted with the crowd, even grabbing a poster from one fan up front, commenting on the nipples on the poster as the audience laughed. 

Of course, Peck talked about the latest album Stampede, Vol. 1, and the idea of doing an album of duets. This brought on the story about working with the legendary Willie Nelson on their cover of Ned Sublette’s “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other,” joking about doing a duet about gay cowboys with Nelson and then declaring that he is a gay cowboy before performing the song for us. 

Peck’s set was impeccable as he ran through a setlist of songs covering all of his records and ending with a two-song encore where he did a wonderful version of Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.” What a night!

A great time was had by all and we can’t wait to experience Orville Peck again soon.  The Stampede Tour runs through the fall so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see and hear this amazing show when it stampedes through your neck of the woods. 

See The Full Gallery of the Night Here!

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