Keith Urban Wins Over New York Crowd at NFL Concert
I just watched Keith Urban play at the NFL Kickoff concert in New York City on NFL.com. (It's a tough job, I know.) This was definitely not a normal show for Urban, but he showed why he's become one of the biggest acts in music. Sure, there was a huge wrap-around video screen behind him and what appeared to be thousands of people in attendance -- just like any other show -- but since it was a free concert, many in the audience didn't seem familiar with Urban. That didn't faze him, though, and by his fourth song, he had the security guards chasing him around Columbus Circle and easily won the crowd over.
He started with "Days Go By," which led into "Where the Blacktop Ends," and then slowed it down with "Stupid Boy." During "Blacktop," he got out to the edge of the stage and shredded a guitar solo. It was at this point that the crowd started getting into it. To see guys wearing big gold chains and backwards ball caps bobbing their heads and throwing their hands in the air for Keith Urban was pretty cool. After that, I didn't think he would be able to get out into the crowd like he normally does, but he jumped off the stage during "You Look Good in My Shirt" with security guards in tow looking utterly surprised. There are helicopter shots of Urban walking through a barricaded walkway with the crowd surging toward him and guards frantically trying to keep up. I guess nobody told them to be ready for that. The audience went nuts.
He made it back to the stage and played two more songs, "You'll Think of Me" and "Better Life," and wanted to keep playing but was told he was out of time. I think it's safe to say that the most anticipated act in New York was Usher, but Urban did not disappoint the crowd and, judging by their reaction, may have gained a few new fans. The production quality was very high with lots of camera angles and great sound. I really don't know if anyone will put the entire show on TV in the future, but it was definitely good enough, so stay on the lookout.
View photos from the NFL Kickoff press conference and concert.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Carrie says:
Wow Keith jumped into the audiance thats a shocker he must be healing up very well from the slipped disk
jim hudson says:
chris-
get him for the superbowl halftime now
NFL YOU WILL MISS OUT ON THE BOAT IF YOU PASS
HIM UP.
Lily says:
The concert was fabulous, he did a great job. Usher was super awesome, although they should let more people to the front instead of having so many divisions.
JK says:
Keith was excellent at the kickoff concert today. His voice was amazing, and he played the hell out his guitar. He is a true talent and knows how to entertain any crowd.
nycurbanite says:
I’m a New Yorker and I stood there for 5 hours in the hot sun–but it was totally worth it!! All 3 were great but I’m a HUGE Keith Fan and he definitely wowed a bunch of people where I was standing even if they hadn’t come to see him. He’s amazing and I would LOVE to be able to see this again if not on NFL.com, then maybe on tv? I know NBC will be showing highlights of the concert on Friday at 9pm ET, but I’m sure it won’t be enough. Keith ROCKS!!!
KW says:
I was there and he actually high fived me when he ran through the VIP section during one of his songs! He is an amazing performer and I am definitely convinced I need his album now!!
Kell says:
I saw part of the performance and it was AMAZING!!! Keith never lets his fans down at all and always plays his heart out!!! He was a perfect choice for this concert!!! I can’t wait until he starts touring again in 2009!!!
sara says:
LOVED the show.
Football and Keith YEAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Mommy says:
He looks great and he sounds great. He was sweating in buckets. Must be a very humid day.
Jeanette says:
I was there. Keith was great as usual. Extremely hot though. I hope they don’t cut too much good stuff out tomorrow. 9pm Friday.
Mary says:
I LOVE KEITH URBAN SOOO MUCH. he is amazing live!
Bev says:
Watched live feed on nfl.com. I’ve been a Keith Urban fan since he first came to the states. Each performance is always better than the last. As usual, Keith & his band gave the fans 150% of themselves for the fans! If NFL overlooks Keith and his band for the halftime they are nuts!
Nik says:
Keith is AMAZING. Does anyone know if you can see the whole show online instead of just the highlight on TV tonight??
LYDRINA says:
I WAS I @ THE SHOW..IT WAS 90 WHEN WE GOT THERE AROUND 3PMI WENT 2 SEE USHER..& A FRIEND IS CRAZY 4 KIETH…I ENDED UP REALLY ENJOYING KIETH .I AM A NEW FAN & I AM SURE HE MADE ALOT OF THEM.I WAS ALSO ABLE 2 GET 2 HIM WHEN HE CAME RUNNING THRU THE CROWD WHICH WE AS ALL FANS “LOVE”..
SO NOW I CAN TELL MY FRIEND I TOUCHED HIM…
USHER WAS HIS SEXY/HOTT SELF…WHAT A BLESSED PERFORMER..
MAN CAN HE MOVE…ALL THE PERFORMERS SWEATED THERE BUTTS AS WELL AS WE DID….VERY MUCH WORTH IT…
THANK-U..MAYOR & NEW YORKS FINEST…SECURITY & CROWD CONTROL..NO PROBLEMS….EVERY OFFICER WAS EXTREAMLY CURTIOUS & HELPFUL..GOD BLESS NEW YORK…
gail says:
I had to watch it on my computer, but Keith was FANTASTIC as usual! What an entertainer he is without all the light shows and videos! Keith and his band are the BEST!!! Very proud of him and very proud to be a country fan!
NLK says:
Can’t wait to see how much they have of Keith on the TV special. He is one of - IF NTO THE - best country artist out on the road. Every time I see him in concert, he is better. He is worth every penny for the ticket price and if you’re lucky enough to get the guitar during YLGIMS - well….need I say more. KEITH URBAN looks good in any shirt!
mtmitton1049 says:
I’m smitten over Keith Now! Bye,Bye Tim. Keith makes Tim look like a amateur. Love,Love Keith Urban.
Kevin says:
I am a visitor from Trinidad and Tobago and I heard about it on the radio.. so I went.. IT BLEW MY MIND.. Natasha Beddingfield was so sexy and amazing, I really don’t listen to country music, but Keith Urban ROCKED!! I’m going to buy his album now.. Usher was super with his dancing… But I kinda dig the cheerleaders.. tee hee!
Wendy Walker says:
Keith Urban at half time at the Super Bowl is a must. He is an awesome performer. He loves the crowd and his concerts are always 110%! Too bad he has no more tour dates this year. He stole the show at the Kenney Chesney concert in Detr.Mich.
Suzie says:
I attended the concert yesterday and it was great!! Keith and his music inspire me and stir wonderful feelings in my soul. He is beautiful and I can’t wait to see him on his next tour! Thank you Keith!!!!
chantelle says:
I WENT TO THE CONCERT YESTORDAY I HAD A BLAST WHEN USHER CAME OUT AND BEFORE HE CAME OUT I WAS THE MAIN ONE MAKING ALL THE NOISE WITH MY BIG HERE I STAND USHER POSTER EVERYBODY WAS LOOKING AT ME AND LAUGHING SAYING SHES A REAL FAN..BUT YEAH YOU ALSO HAD MANY HATTERS HI HATERS….LOL THE NEWS PEOPLE GAVE ME ALL THE ATTENTION WHEN I WAS GOING CRAZY I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH THATS MY SECOND TIME SEEING HIM..AND I KNOW HE NOTICED ME
urbanfan says:
This is how I became a fan, and my friend in turn became a fan. Go to a concert for someone else and be blown away by Keith Urban. I’ve seen him three times now - never a disappointment. He can win over any crowd and proves it over and over. I’m looking forward to number four! :)
Barbara says:
Yes! I knew you guys would all fall in love with him and he puts on such a great show..and I do believe it is his time on his next tour…HE WILL BE THE ONE who plays the stadiums…move over Kenny..Tim..your days are past…It is long past time for Keith..and he is finally getting the attention he deserves and is way way past due..He is awesome..seen him 3 times! Fantastic performer and he loves it so much! WE LOVE YOU KEITH URBAN! Your fans in Atlanta Georgia! Barbara, Gordon and Tanny and Noah!
Colleen Thrupp says:
KEITH URBAN, YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE AND MAKE YOUR AUSSIE FANS SO PROUD …
DON’T LEAVE IT TOO LONG BEFORE YOU COME HOME …
PERHAPS THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE FRATERNITY WILL SEE THEIR WAY CLEAR TO HAVE “KU” AS THE HEADLINE PERFORMER AT A GRAND FINAL OR EVEN PERHAPS AT THE 2008 WORLD CUP …
NO NEED TO LOOK ANY FURTHER THEN OUR AUSSIE BACK YARD, TO HAVE THE BEST IN INTERNATIONAL AND AUSTRALIAN MUSIC, ENTERTAIN THE FANS OF THE GREATEST GAME OF ALL …
Sarina (Qld)
Australia
Jill says:
i was there and i wasnt shocked that he went into the crowd because he does that at all of his concerts.
btw keith urban owned the whole crowd that day=)
Jess says:
oh yessssssss
Halftime at the Superbowl is what I have wanted for awhile!!
Well that and to hug Keith!!! Wishes on their way to coming true should not be rushed
Sandra says:
I watched the concert on television, it was great. Urban was fantastic. He looked like he was really enjoying himself. The whole band seemed to be having fun. The other performances were good too. Kieth never ceases to amaze me.
Deb says:
Keith was fantastic, too bad NBC couldn’t have shown more. Thought the show on NBC Friday was disappointing as they showed only 2 of his songs, neither one of which was “shirt”. Wonder if a dvd of the performance from NYC will be available? I’ve seen him 5 times, 3 this year, Rochester, Pittsburgh and Nashville, can’t wait for 2009!!! Yes also to the Super Bowl half time show!!!
Ashleigh Kaletka says:
Keith is the best country singer out there:)
and I love his Australian Accent alot !!!!!
I am a Big Fan of Keith’s as well !!!!
Eloisa says:
I was at the concert and I fell in love with Keith. I’ve always liked his songs eventhough I didn’t know he sang some of them. But seeing the way he performed and how humble he seems really touched me. The ways he went around all the people was amazing. Nicole is soooooo lucky!!!!
Julissa Gutierrez says:
I love Kieth i think hes the best country singer in the world! i love his song Yuo’ll think of me i thhink that song was so touchin it made me cry at least three times the fist time i heard it
suzan says:
I missed the show on Thursday- my husband got the date wrong!! Has anybody heard if they are going to show the concert again and where?? I am a huge Keith fan living in Canada and really upset I missed it. Tks
kcal says:
We had a wonderful time doing so many things in our 3 days in Big Apple but the reason we chose to visit NY from MI was to see Keith and it was worth the trip!! Keith and his fantastic band wowed over those who knew little about him but chose to attend this concert for another performer or because it was free. It has been our experience that Keith and his band are the humble, nice, amazing guys you see. They deserve only the best.
We will also second how great the set up and security were. We had no problems at this huge, amazing concert. THANK YOU TO NEW YORK’S FINEST, the great city of NY and the NFL for putting on such a great show.
Megan says:
This is my 4th time seeing Keith, and I never get enough of him. I was at his show this summer with Kenny Chesney and LeAnn Rimes, and Keith stole the show by a mile. He goes above and beyond with every show; running into the audience, throwing himself into arms of women he DOESN’T know, and even autographing his guitar and handing it to somebody (I’ve seen him do this twice now). He is my all-time favorite and put on, yet again, an amazing performance. I encourage anybody who hasn’t seen HIS actual tour to do so. He does so much more when it’s his own tour; you won’t be disappointed. GO KEITH!!!!
linda says:
the frst time i saw keith on a vido on tv i just wanted to see him more you could just tell that he was very searis about about his music and you just fall in love with his music i wood love to go and see one of his shoes.
Holly says:
I am a big Keith Urban fan. I have seen him several times in concert. He no doubt is todays best male country artist. I could NOT believe he did not get entertainer of the year in 2008. If he does not get entertainer of the year in 2009, I will be disgusted. Absolutely no one entertains the crowd like Keith!