Bri Bagwell Ignites Billy Bob’s Texas with Headlining, High-Energy Set
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards, the “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” played host to one of Texas Country’s most decorated artists, Bri Bagwell, for a high-energy, celebratory headlining performance on Friday, July 18th. The show came just days before the chart-topping news of her 14th No. 1 single, “Ain’t That Love,” making the already highly anticipated concert a genuine victory lap for the Texas Female Artist of the Decade.
A Force on the Main Stage
Bri Bagwell and her band, The Banned, are renowned for their “rousingly fun live performances,” and this night at Billy Bob’s was no exception. Bagwell, a powerhouse vocalist whose stage presence is both fearless and engaging, commanded the main stage with the confidence of an artist who has spent over a decade earning her stripes in the highly competitive Red Dirt scene.
The performance served as a compelling showcase for the depth of her catalog, spanning from her early work like tracks off of her 2011 debut Banned from Santa Fe to the recent hits from her critically acclaimed 2022 album, Corazón y Cabeza (Heart and Head).
Setlist Highlights: Honky Tonk Heart and Rock Edge
The setlist was a strategic blend of fan-favorite anthems, emotionally raw tracks, and a few well-chosen covers that showcased her range. While a definitive, exact setlist is often a fluid thing in the Texas scene, Bagwell reliably delivered the songs that have made her a staple on Texas Country Radio:
- The Crowd-Pleaasers: Essential tracks like “Cheat On Me” brought the dance floor alive, embodying the “boot-stomping” country sound she is known for. The driving rhythm and sharp lyrical wit of such songs highlight why she is increasingly mentioned amongst modern country truth-tellers like Ashley McBryde.
- The Chart-Toppers: She ensured the crowd was treated to the songs that crowned her career, including the three No. 1 singles from Corazón y Cabeza: “Trenches,” “Free Man,” and “Hello Highway.” The emotionally charged “Trenches,” which earned a Music Video of the Year award, was a particular high point, a song about love and perseverance that resonates deeply with her loyal fanbase.
- New Music Excitement: The set included a tease of the future with the live debut of her upcoming single, “Hit The Highway,” which she noted has been generating significant buzz. The performance of this new track suggests a continued evolution in her sound while maintaining the signature blend of raw emotion and a distinct rock edge.
- Celebrating Success: The recent chart-topping single, “Ain’t That Love” (featuring Texas duo Timber Wilde on the recorded version), was undoubtedly a celebratory moment. The song, praised for its “sassy tongue-in-cheek” approach, was delivered with a triumphant swagger befitting the occasion.
- The Soulful Sides: Bagwell has a knack for selecting covers that illuminate her influences. Her history of covering artists like Selena (“Como la flor”) and Merle Haggard (“Workin’ Man Blues”) suggests a performer rooted in diverse musical traditions, bringing both border-girl pride and honky-tonk grit to the iconic Billy Bob’s stage.
The Significance of the Night
This concert was more than just a gig; it was a powerful assertion of Bagwell’s dominance and enduring appeal in the Texas music landscape. Performing at Billy Bob’s—a venue with the pedigree to launch and cement careers—on the cusp of another milestone victory provided a moment of profound synergy between artist and audience.
Her dedication to touring, performing over 100 shows a year, shone through in the band’s seamless, road-tested chemistry. The sheer volume of No. 1 singles and her multiple “Female Vocalist of the Year” awards confirm that the energy felt inside the massive honky-tonk was not just local enthusiasm, but a genuine recognition of one of Red Dirt’s finest creative voices. As she stated, she has “a full tour schedule in many different states,” and this high-energy night in Fort Worth proved she is more than ready to take her distinctive, unapologetic Texas sound to the rest of the nation.