March 21, 2016

Florida Georgia Line engages fans with genre-hopping sound

Florida Georgia Line is indeed a little bit country. But the duo is also a whole lot of other things.

A brief video package preceded members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard’s entrance. It featured a mashup of Drake’s “Started from the Bottom” and Johnny Cash‘s “I Walk the Line.” That hybrid typifies the pair’s genre-hopping sound.

“We might look a little crazy tonight,” they crooned during booming opener “It’z Just What We Do.”

That may be true. But it’s working. Florida Georgia Line’s third consecutive RodeoHouston performance drew 72,032 paid attendance.

Songs “Round Here,” “Party People” and “Anything Goes” draw as much from country as they do hip-hop and rock. It’s a balance that works much better live thanks to a tight, terrific band.

Kelley and Hubbard are energetic, engaging performers. They were offstage by the second song, jumping on the rails and high-fiving fans. They regularly encouraged the crowd to dance and amp up the energy.

Fans needed little prompting. Hit singles “This is How We Roll” and “Cruise” were designed for stadium singalongs.

“Stay,” originally recorded by rock band Black Stone Cherry, was a standout. It’s no surprise that Florida Georgia Line gives it even more of an ’80s hair metal vibe, complete with pyro effects.

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