A Night with Tyler Childers: From Humble Beginnings to Arena Anthems

Tyler Childers performing center-floor at the Target Center

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have this show circled on my calendar the moment it was announced. And I’d be lying again if I didn’t admit the pride I feel in having “been there from the beginning” with Tyler Childers. It’s hard not to, especially when you’ve watched an artist go from playing to a crowd of 150 to now performing in front of over 15,000 at Minneapolis’ Target Center. Through it all, Tyler has stayed true to the sound and storytelling that first endeared him to fans—and that same honesty is what continues to bring us back.

Opening for Tyler is no small task, but it was one that fit Cory Branan perfectly in sound and energy. If you know Cory, you love him. If you don’t, consider this your sign to start listening. He’s like a dusty postcard from rural America—a blend of punk, country, bluegrass, and dive-bar poetry, with a healthy dose of steel guitar.

Trying to pin down Cory’s style is honestly like trying to hold smoke. One moment you’re sure he’s pure Americana, and the next, he’s off in some punk-bluegrass hybrid tune. His set was packed with humor, grit, and the kind of storytelling that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever. Standouts included Prettiest Waitress in Memphis, Sour Mash, and When I Leave Here.

Cory’s performance warmed up the room just right—funny, loud, heartfelt, and unpredictable. Even when his guitar quit mid-set, he took it in stride, making the crowd laugh and somehow making the technical hiccup feel like part of the show. By the end of his set, the energy in the arena was ready for the main act they had come to hear.

Then, the lights dimmed. Enter: Tyler Childers and his band.

This was my fifth time seeing Tyler live—my third with the full band—and every time, I’m struck by how little he’s changed, even as the stages get bigger and the crowds grow. No flash, no frills, no chasing headlines. Just the same grounded artist we’ve loved from the start bringing his stories and unique style.

The band kicked off the set without delay. Each member offered their own musical “hello” with a wave of solos—steel guitar, bass, keys, guitars—all tied together by Tyler’s unmistakable voice. The scale of the production was miles from the stripped-down shows of years past, but the music still felt intimate, honest, and perfectly scaled to the arena.

The crowd roared as Tyler rolled through a mix of new material and old favorites like Creeker and Rock Salt & Nails—the latter featuring a jam session that energized the crowd right away. Then, in a move that pulled at the hearts of long-time fans, Tyler stepped away from the main stage and made his way to a smaller platform on the arena floor.

There, just like he did back at his 7th Street Entry show in 2017, it was Tyler, a guitar, and a sea of quiet listeners. He played Born Again, Shake the Frost, Lady May, and Bottles and Bibles. Before the last one, he shared a story—how he paid just $15 to record his first album and only had enough for a few songs. So he only recorded a few songs. That memory seemed to hang in the air, echoing through the crowd as we all listened a little closer. And set the mood for the rest of the night.

As he played Nose on the Grindstone, a few bandmates joined him and turned the moment into a singalong. It was the kind of moment that only happens when the artist and audience are fully in sync.

Back on the main stage, Tyler introduced his band in a rapid-fire, Texas auctioneer style—another nod to his down-home charm. He didn’t just name them; he told their stories, making you feel like you knew each one personally.

The show rolled on with crowd favorites like Whitehouse Road and a fantastic cover of Hank Williams’ Old Country Church. Then came the finale—Housefire—and it felt like the roof was ready to lift off the place. The band jammed their way into the song, and when the chorus hit, the entire arena was on its feet, hands in the air, shouting every word while dancingin their seats.

As someone who’s followed Tyler Childers from the dive bars to the big stage, this show was a full-circle moment. But the night’s most poignant point to me came during Creeker. For a brief second, Tyler looked out over the crowd and just smiled. Not the smile of someone out for show or fame—but of someone genuinely taking it all in. A smile that said, “Look how far we’ve come.” And to validate this Tyler throughout the night thanked the crowd for their support and their passion that made the night possible.

There’s no telling how far Tyler Childers will continue to grow and make his footprint on the music world known but if last night was any indicator we are in for years of stories and song.

Setlist:

Trudy / Rustin in the Rain / All Your’n / Country Squire / Bus Route / Creeker / Gemini / Percheron Mules / Tulsa Turn Around ( Kenny Rogers Cover) / Born Again / Shake the Frost / Lady May / Bottles and Bibles / Nose on the Grindstone / Follow You to Virgie / Matthew / Old Country Church / Whitehouse Road / In Your Love / Honky Tonk Flame / Way of the Triune God / House Fire