Mother Nature may have opened the skies, but the Better In Boots Tour cracked them open even wider with heart, heat, and hit after hit. As a thunderstorm delayed entry at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC, anticipation built to a fever pitch. When the gates finally opened at 7:30 PM, fans poured in like a Southern summer storm themselves—ready, rowdy, and soaked in excitement.
At 8:15 PM, Tucker Wetmore took the stage and instantly showed Charlotte why his name is heating up on the country scene. Kicking things off with his gritty debut “Break First,” Wetmore immediately set the tone with polished vocals and rugged charm. He kept the momentum rolling with the crowd-favorite “Silverado Blue” before launching into one of his breakout hits, “Wine Into Whiskey,” drawing a sea of cheers and swaying arms.
Then came a surprise turn that made jaws drop—Tucker sat behind a piano and treated the crowd to a string of classic covers, including a white-hot rendition of “Great Balls of Fire.” The pavilion practically exploded as the opening chords rang out, with Wetmore’s rock-meets-country energy lighting up the stage like lightning in reverse. Wrapping his set with fresh singles like “Brunette,” Wetmore showed Charlotte that a rain delay’s got nothing on a performer who’s destined for country greatness. “Y’all waited in the rain for this moment—let’s make it worth it!” Tucker shouted mid-set, and boy, did he deliver.
Then came the moment fans had braved the weather for: Thomas Rhett took the stage like a force of nature, bounding into the spotlight with “Boots” and an explosion of energy that sent the crowd into overdrive. From the first note to the last encore, Rhett turned the night into a whirlwind of nostalgia, new hits, and heartfelt stories.
Highlights included high-octane performances of “Life Changes,” “Crash and Burn,” and “Sixteen,” songs that had every fan singing like it was their own life anthem. Rhett slowed things down mid-set with emotional crowd-pleasers like “Marry Me” and “Country Again,” showcasing his ability to pivot between party and personal with absolute ease.
One of the standout moments? A jaw-dropping medley of “Junkies,” “Get Me Some of That,” and “It Goes Like This,” capped off with a nod to Alan Jackson’s “Gone Country.” It was a crash course in Rhett’s journey from newcomer to headliner, all packed into one night.
Toward the end, the crowd lit up for “T-Shirt” and “Unforgettable,” but the night’s most powerful moment came during “Happy Man,” as Rhett took a quiet moment to thank the crowd for their patience, energy, and resilience through the earlier storm. “I promise you this,” he said with a smile, “Charlotte will always have a place in my heart. Y’all brought the sunshine.”
Despite the rain delay, Charlotte was gifted a night of pure magic. From Tucker Wetmore’s breakout energy to Thomas Rhett’s polished, powerhouse performance, the Better In Boots Tour reminded everyone that great music—like great memories—sometimes starts with a storm. The night wasn’t just better in boots—it was better than anyone could’ve expected.
Upcoming Better In Boots Tour Dates (tickets here):
