It is liberating to experience how the country genre is slowly being challenged and developed. The classic notion of country as the domain of white old men is being shaken, and new voices, especially young black women like Tanner Adell, bring a freshness and relevance worth following closely.
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Disclaimer: Apropos Magazine received access or a review copy. As always, we share our own impressions — unfiltered.
Six stars
On Thursday night on the EOS stage, Tanner Adell delivered a stunning concert in the windy evening sun. Flanked by a strong trio, she created a sound that was both crisp and warm — modern country with a distinct roots in the genre's classics, but with a contemporary twist.
The lyrical universe of her songs plays with classic country clichés in a way that both pays homage to and renews the genre. Titles like “See You in Church” and “Cowboy Break My Heart” could easily sound like old trotters, but in Tanner's hands they turn into charming stories filled with real feeling and personality. Her voice carries a melancholy and authenticity that makes one easily get caught up in the narratives.
Especially “Silverado” stands out as a very own gem in the set. It's a song that balances warmth and sadness in the most beautiful way. The name evokes associations with the classic western film Silverado from 1985, where Jeff Goldblum delivers one of the most memorable cowboy outfits — you have to give him credit for making a vest and pointy tie look incredibly cool at the same time! It's such a little fun thought that adds an extra dimension when listening to the mood and narrative of the song.
The music in Tanner Adell's sets is designed to both float in the background and demand attention. It's country, which pays homage to the traditions of the genre, but without latching onto them. The sound was accomplished, and both the soft ballads and the more uptempo tracks were delivered with a present energy that made the audience follow from start to finish.
Tanner Adell is emerging as a powerful voice in a new wave of country artists blending genre tradition with contemporary expression. She stands as an important representative of the fact that country music is not a museum, but a vibrant and evolving genre.
There's a breath of fresh air in her approach, giving way to both the nostalgia of the past and the challenges of the present -- all told through stories of love, loss and strength. And this is exactly the kind of music that can give the genre new life and relevance, especially for younger listeners who might otherwise find it difficult to find something to reflect on.
The concert on the EOS stage was a perfect setting for this music. The breezy evening sun and the close interaction between Tanner and her musicians created an atmosphere that was both intimate and uplifting. It felt like the music was allowed to live and breathe freely, and that made the experience memorable.
Tanner Adell is an artist to watch for, for good reason. She brings both charm, depth and authenticity to the country genre, showing how to take traditional elements and make them relevant to today -- without losing the genre's heart.
If you get the chance to experience her live, grab it. That's just what country music needs right now: new voices, new stories, and an energy that both honors the past and dares to look to the future.
