Late in her 90-minute set Saturday at the Riviera, Kacey Musgraves introduced a new song ("Cup of Tea") by recognizing that the tune fits thematically with much of the 26-year-old country star's material. "Nobody's everybody's favorite," she sings, again advising the value of being yourself ("Follow Your Arrow") and neither judging others nor concerning yourself with what they think of you. "You can't be everybody's cup of tea." The song ends with, "Why would you want to be?"
Of course, it's hard to imagine how Musgraves wouldn't be someone's cup of tea, as long as that person likes great songwriting, a dynamite voice and effortless stage presence that's appealingly casual without ever seeming detached. (Sample banter: "My mom's trying to get an arrow tattoo. I'm like, 'Where?' Could be awkward.") Throughout Saturday's show, her first proper headlining appearance in Chicago after spending the last year-and-a-half taking over country music and making non-country fans second-guess that viewpoint, Musgraves perfected sweet defiance, taking strong stances in songs that sometimes seem light. (Another new song, "Biscuits," which Musgraves performed gorgeously without her band, takes a playful spin around the same ideas: "Mind your own biscuits, and life will be gravy.")
It's part of what makes the singer's Grammy-winning "Same Trailer, Different Park" so refreshing and subtly confident.
EXTRA: READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH KACEY MUSGRAVES
Featuring every track from the record except "Dandelion," the flawlessly paced concert found Musgraves shifting smoothly from upbeat insight ("Blowin' Smoke") to soft wisdom (the lonely, bittersweet "It Is What It Is") to a variety of covers (Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again"; TLC's "No Scrubs"; Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"; and Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," spun off a reggae-infused version of Musgraves' empowering "Step Off") that reflect both her influences and her perspective.
In front of a desert backdrop and neon cacti that fit with the sweltering heat of the packed Riviera, Musgraves' voice sounded exceptional, whether it was intimate or commanding. She knows how to entertain and how to get people to listen. "Keep It To Yourself" and "Back on the Map" were particularly moving, while her version of Miranda Lambert's "Mama's Broken Heart" (which Musgraves co-wrote) elevated the energy.
Throughout, Musgraves embraced the role of laid-back country gal, noting, "I wish there was a trailer park downtown" after saying she's never seen one in Chicago. This, of course, led to "Trailer Song," another perceptive tune about keeping your nose on your own business. Part of what makes Musgraves so good is that no matter how many ways she cleverly echoes the same sentiment, she always inspires both thought and a smile.
P.S. This is how the show ended. Love it.
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mpais@tribune.com
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