Merriweather Post Pavilion recently hosted the anticipated opening night of The Grateful Tour, headlined by The Red Clay Strays. The group formed in Mobile, Alabama, and has experienced a sensational rise to popularity, having secured their second Academy of Country Music Award, taking home Group of the Year on May 17, and releasing their third studio album, Grateful, on June 5.
At 9pm on July 30, the lights dimmed, and the flashlights from the crowd lit up. A fascinating part of the show was this crowd participation. During intermission, the crowd was informed via the screens in the pavilion that there was a Red Clay Strays app. Downloading the app and having it open during the walkout of the band would automatically turn your flashlight on. The lights began turning on and off, as if the entire crowd was wearing light-up wristbands.
Frontman Brandon Coleman, standing with his iconic slicked-back hair and a powerful stage presence, immediately established an electric energy. His vocals took over the venue with a powerful aura going into the opening track, “Demons in Your Choir,” the lead single from Grateful. Drew Nix’s rhythm guitar and Andrew Bishop’s bass laid down a heavy groove, while Zach Rishel’s work on the electric guitar added a more modern edge to the more roots-sounding track. And of course, you can’t forget about the background gospel trio featured on stage. Singing soaring choir-like vocals in the background of each song.
The momentum kept up, transitioning right into “Stone’s Throw,” a fan favorite from their 2022 debut Moment of Truth. The sheer volume and emotional weight of the vocal delivery had me taken aback. Coleman’s vocals are something to admire, showing off an impressive spectrum from a soft, vulnerable sound to a loud, gritty, powerful vocal.
Watch the official music video for “Stone’s Throw” by The Red Clay Strays on YouTube:
Coleman took a moment to acknowledge the crowd as their “highest-grossing ticket sales night ever.” The audience erupted, and you could tell the band was both grateful and in awe. The audience wasn’t concerned with dressing in fast-fashion country apparel; it felt like a genuine crowd of real, grounded fans. The demographic brought together older classic rock country fans with a huge wave of younger attendees. This unique mix created a communal, high-energy environment.
The gratitude was noticeable as the performance transitioned to the keyboard for “Sunshine.” As the warm piano rang out, the entire pavilion and lawn began swaying in unison. Shortly after, the undeniable high of the night occurred when the opening notes of “Wondering Why” echoed throughout the venue. The 3x RIAA Platinum hit has been the catalyst for the band’s global rise, and hearing it live was a completely different experience.
Watch The Red Clay Strays perform “Wondering Why” live for Western AF on YouTube:
By taking a step back from the microphone, Coleman allowed the 19,000 voices to sing back to him. The harmonization between the band members and the crowd was a spectacle. Shortly after the transition to the encore, the band played their other biggest hit, “Wanna Be Loved.” Although it was apparent that a portion of the crowd had left before the encore, you could tell the real fans stayed. Even with the smaller number of fans in the crowd, the desperate love ballad was sung incredibly passionately by the fans as if the full 19,000 in attendance were all still there.
Ending the night with “No One Else Like Me,” driven by groovy guitar riffs, the live delivery was met with roaring applause. The Red Clay Strays firmly established themselves as a headliner deserving of that highest-grossing show and even more beyond 19,000 fans. Backed by amazing musical talent and a powerful voice, the band understood how to deliver a captivating performance.
Here are some photos of The Red Clay Strays performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 30, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester.
