Yelawolf Throws Down In Charlotte
Rapper Puts On Free Concert at Independence Harley-Davidson
Maybe it really is true that the best things in life are free because Saturday night Yelawolf put on a free concert and it was one hell of a party. The rapper hit up Independence Harley-Davidson in Matthews, NC for a free show and fans came out in droves for the event, some traveling far and wide to come out and enjoy the concert.
The event was held at Independence Harley-Davidson, the Charlotte area’s premier Harley dealership which was celebrating a grand re-opening after renovating and expanding the shop. Bike enthusiasts came out to check out all the new rides and gear early in the day and take advantage of the free bike wash and demo rides. A few hours before show time, Yelawolf fans started to pack into the parking lot, holding their coveted spots at the rail despite the heat, anxiously awaiting what the night would bring.
As the crowd was still filling in, it was finally time to kick off the night of music. First up was a little yee-hawing from Cowboy Killer as we entered the wild west. The music was an eclectic blend of country, rock, and hip-hop with an old-school meets modern-day vibe. His vocals were killer and the band was hot. Cowboy worked the crowd up and got everyone ramped up for the rest of the evening. So far, so good, things were off to a great start and the crowd was loving it. Be sure to check out Cowboy Killer as I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more from him in the future.
Next up, we had a DJ come out to introduce the next act, Nicolas Alan. Alan is a hip-hop artist that came all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah to bring his energy to the crowd. His rhymes are sweet and his flow is smooth as he interacts with the crowd and climbs onto the speakers in front of the stage. His set was fun and full of excitement. If you’re looking to add some fresh, new stuff to your playlist, go check him out.
After a brief break and a frantic announcement from one of the concert organizers for people to move their cars from an adjoining lot or risk being towed, it was finally time for Yelawolf to hit the stage, and hit it he did. Coming out in a yellow satin, WWE-style jacket, Yelawolf had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand the second he stepped onto the stage. His long-term partner in crime, DJ Klever was situated behind his turntables in an old car complete with working headlights as the smoke blew across the stage and the lights flashed intensely behind him.
Yelawolf wasted no time cranking things up into high gear. Hands were in the air, people were on each other’s shoulders, and the interaction between him and his fans was off the charts. I turned around and saw a sea of Slumerican tee shirts behind me. Clearly, this was his crowd and they were having the time of their lives.
The music was popping and Yelawolf was hopping, getting up on the speakers so he could touch hands with the crowd at the barricade as people handed him items that they wanted him to sign. Someone must have asked for a beer because he ran to the back of the stage and handed a bottle of Modelo to a lucky fan in the front as the party continued on.
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve seen Yelawolf perform and he hasn’t lost a step. In fact, I would argue that he is better than ever, bringing all the hits we want to hear and sounding top-notch in doing so. We had a little “Catfish Billy” and his unique take on the country classic “Friends in Low Places.” Yelawolf even had a few touching moments thrown into the set as he asked us to remember those we have lost and light up the night sky with our phones for “Best Friend.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a Yelawolf show if he didn’t spew a little water into the crowd and have jumping to “Pop The Trunk.”
It was an incredible night of music and when it was over, nobody wanted to leave. If you haven’t checked out Yelawolf yet, why the hell not? Go listen now and better yet, take your ass to a show and see what all the hype is about.
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