The Tattoos Tour stop at FirstBank Amphitheater proves country rock still hits hard — loud,
gritty, and unapologetic
Brantley Gilbert kicks off the night at FirstBank Amphitheater with “Kick It in the Sticks.”
Brantley Gilbert may be a Georgia boy, but his stop at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee, felt more like a homecoming than another night on his Tattoos Tour. The place was packed with diehards who’ve been riding with Gilbert since his bar room days, and you could feel it the second the lights dropped. Gilbert kicked off the night with “It’s About to Get Dirty” and “Kick It in the Sticks,” two barn burners that hit like a sledgehammer. No gimmicks, no over-the-top production—just heavy guitars, fire bursts, and that signature Southern grit.
Gilbert’s live show has always blurred the line between country and hard rock, and that’s exactly what keeps fans coming back. With guitarists Noah Henson, Spencer Waasdorp, and Adam C. Curry trading licks, bassist Delaney Baker holding down the low end, and Ben Sims pounding the drums, the band hit like a Southern rock freight train. Tracks like “Small Town Throwdown,” “Dirt Road Anthem,” and “My Kinda Party” lit up the crowd and reminded everyone why Gilbert’s catalog doesn’t need radio polish to hit hard. Having seen him across three consecutive tours, I can say this one felt the tightest yet—raw, loud, and confident.
Then came the switch-up. Gilbert lit a cigar, slowed things down, and got personal. “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” and “Modern Day Prodigal Son” turned the outdoor venue into one giant sing-along. It wasn’t just fans singing—it was everyone shouting those lyrics like gospel. Gilbert took a moment to thank the Tennessee crowd for always showing up, calling the night one of his favorites on the tour so far.
Just when things felt like they couldn’t get any hotter, they did. Halfway through the set, Gilbert fired up “Son of the Dirty South” and brought out Jelly Roll as a surprise guest. The place absolutely lost it. The two traded lines like brothers-in-arms, their voices cutting through the night with a mix of fire and grit that few artists can pull off. It was Southern rap, country, and rock colliding in one explosive moment. Jelly Roll paused to thank Gilbert for being a mentor and for kicking down doors for artists who refuse to fit into one box. Judging by the crowd reaction, that message hit home.
After that high, Gilbert kept the momentum rolling with the emotionally charged “Tattoos” and “One Hell of an Amen.” He threw in a couple of unexpected rock covers—Creed’s “Higher” and Nickelback’s “Animals”—that had fists pumping and heads nodding. By the time he closed out with “Take It Outside” and “Read Me My Rights,” the amphitheater was in full Southern rock revival mode. Gilbert stood on stage at the end, soaking it in, raising a hand to the roaring crowd before walking off like a man who just gave every ounce he had.
This was Brantley Gilbert at his absolute best—loud, unapologetic, and proud of where he came from. The night wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of how far Southern rock has evolved and how Gilbert continues to bridge the gap between Nashville and the mosh pit. If there was ever a question whether country rock still has teeth, this show answered it loud and clear.
