The Hinterland music festival wrapped up last night. Before it ended, some of the most popular independent country artists took the stage and amazed the assembled crowds. The lineup contained acts like Vincent Neil Emerson, Charley Crockett, Zach Bryan, and Shooter Jennings, just to name a few. Of course, they couldn’t gather the best and brightest independent artists without tapping Tyler Childers.
Tyler Childers headlined the second night of Hinterland. Right now, you can find all manner of comments about his setlist on Twitter. The reaction is mixed. Many of his longtime fans just loved to see him perform a set of songs that he obviously wanted to play. However, others were upset that he didn’t play his most popular songs from Purgatory and Country Squire. Their disappointment is understandable, to an extent. On the other hand, one of the things that draws people to Childers and his music is that he isn’t one to pander. You get what you get with the Kentucky native. Some get it, some don’t.
However, I don’t see anyone complaining about Tyler Childers’ cover of “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Check it out below and you’ll see why.
It’s totally fair to be bummed out about not hearing “Feathered Indians,” or “Lady May,” live. However, just listen to Tyler Childers crush this Kristofferson cover. Childers has an incredibly expressive voice. So, he’s able to pour out every ounce of pain, desperation, and longing that this song demands.
Tyler Childers really pours it on in the last chorus and verse. It’s like the lonesome steel guitar solo charges him up. The result is enough to give you chills. To borrow a phrase from Outsider’s Wes Blankenship, if that don’t light your fire, your wood’s wet.
Tyler Childers Played Plenty Of Favorites
The way some Twitter users are talking, you would think Tyler Childers played a set of Backstreet Boys covers or something. One guy even went so far as to say that Childers should refund everyone who came to see him at Hinterland. That is, without a doubt, the most ridiculous thing I’ve read this month.
You didn’t need to attend Hinterland to see a good portion of Tyler Childers’ set. In fact, Amy Karibian, the person who posted the video above, caught several songs from the night. Childers played “Purgatory,” “Gemini,” “A Song While You’re Away,” and “Country Squire,” while he was there. Amy caught all of those on video and posted them to her channel.
Before you go, listen to Childers doing “Country Squire,” at Hinterlands. It shows that he sounds just as good on stage as he does on his records. At the same time, it’s a great song to kick off your week.
