Fresh off their Country Music Award win for Vocal Duo of the Year, Brothers Osborne embarked on a tour earlier this month and stopped in New York City at Terminal 5 Wednesday night. Having performed on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon the night before, it was no surprise that the 3,000 capacity venue was sold out. As their name suggests, the duo is composed of brothers TJ and John Osborne. The Maryland natives, now Nashville transplants, started making music together at a young age playing in a cover band but solidified their sound when they signed with the Nashville branch of EMI and put out their first single “Let’s Go There” in 2013.
As they took the stage, supported by a band, it was immediately clear that these two definitely have their own personalities and roles in the band. TJ is the lead vocalist and wore skinny black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black jacket with his hair slicked back and a touch of facial hair. John, on the other hand, is shaggy. Wearing a bright red western shirt and his longhair tucked under a cowboy hat and a full grown beard, he tends more to the guitar but provides some backing vocals. TJ’s voice is rich and soulful. John is one of the best guitarists I have ever heard. The brothers only have two full length albums released but they packed their set list with 18 songs and played for an hour and forty five minutes.
They were given an 11 o’clock curfew but they made it very clear that they were going to play till the last second. They played their hits such as “It Ain’t My Fault” and “Stay a Little Longer” from their 2016 album Pawn Shop as well as “Shoot Me Straight” from their recent 2018 release Port Saint Joe. They mixed in some covers such as Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road”. They performed Dierks Bentley’s “Burning Man”, of which they are featured vocals on the recording. They closed the night with John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
I’ll be honest; I’m not very familiar with the country music scene but my roommate encouraged me to branch out and since Brothers Osborne is one of her favorite groups, I figured, what the hell. I’m glad I did as these guys know how to rock. Their energy was infectious and the sold out crowd made their voices heard. Usually people tend to leave as the night gets late, especially to beat the crowd before the encore ends. But not Wednesday. Not Brothers Osborne fans. TJ and John shredded through a 5 song encore and not one person budged. I was thoroughly impressed by the show and can now say that I have downloaded my first official country album.
Drank Like Hank / Shoot Me Straight / I Don’t Remember Me (Before You) / Weed, Whiskey and Willie / Greener Pastures / Down Home / Rum / Burning Man / Tequila Again / 21 Summer / Copperhead Road / Stay a Little Longer / It Ain’t My Fault / A Couple of Wrongs Makin’ It Alright / Pushing Up Daisies (Love Alive) / Pawn Shop / Heart Shaped Locket / Take Me Home, Country Roads
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