Corey Kent is known for his gritty, red-dirt style and relentless determination. Hailing from Bixby, Oklahoma, and now based in Dallas, this Sony Music Nashville artist has spent over 15 years navigating the highs and lows of his career without ever losing hope. Kent's journey has been marked by resilience, from early struggles and setbacks, including a lost publishing deal during the pandemic, to working on a paving crew in Texas to make ends meet. His breakthrough came with the Platinum-certified Number One hit ‘Wild As Her,' which re-energised his career and led to the release of his debut album ‘Blacktop.'
Kent's signature black bandana, originally a practical accessory for motorcycle rides, has become a symbol of his unwavering belief in himself. As he balances life on his Texas ranch with his roles as a husband and father, his sophomore album, ‘Black Bandana,' stands as a rallying cry for those who share his independent spirit, proving that success is possible when you refuse to give up and now he's treating his fans to, what is fast becoming an annual tradition – a new project to round off the calendar year! In previous year Kent has released EPs, acoustic projects and original songs but this year he has gone with '24 Live', his first live album recorded in front of his home state crowd at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This hometown show is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of Kent’s journey, offering a mix of major label hits, deep cuts from his independent days, and fresh material that keeps the audience captivated from start to finish.
A Spirited Opening
The album kicks off with a bang, featuring two pre-record-deal tracks, ‘Gold' and ‘Highways.' These high-energy anthems set the tone for the night, with bombastic drums and Kent’s gruff, Bryan Adams-esque vocals commanding attention. ‘Highways,' in particular, shines as an earworm of a song, its pounding rhythms and catchy chorus irresistible in a live setting.
Fan Favorites and Deeper Cuts
Kent’s knack for breathing new life into his catalog is evident throughout the album. ‘Postcard,' a demo from his 2022 release, feels bigger and bolder in this live format, its funky Coldplay-style guitar lines energising the crowd. Similarly, the nostalgic ‘Long Way,' a heartfelt tribute to Kent’s family and Oklahoma roots, resonates deeply with the Tulsa audience.
Even lesser-known tracks like ‘Better Now' and ‘Boys Growing Up' find their place on this album, with Kent’s band adding weight and texture to both songs. Additionally, ‘Boys Growing Up' alongside the tender folk-rock of ‘Tumbleweed,' highlight Kent’s versatility as both a multi-faceted songwriter and performer.
Electrifying Covers and New Gems
A raucous cover of ‘Come Together,' made famous by the likes of the Beatles and Aerosmith over the years, showcases Kent’s ability to reinterpret classics with raw energy, while two new songs, ‘Notorious' and ‘This Heart,' hint at his evolving sound. “Notorious” delivers a funky, Maroon 5-inspired vibe, offering a lighter moment in the set, while ‘This Heart' is an earworm brimming with grit and intent and one of only a handful of songs aired on this project from Kent's second album with Sony, ‘Black Bandana.' It's worth noting that said album hadn't been released at the time of this project being recorded in case you were wondering where the title track and the likes of ‘Damn Good Country Song' were!
Showstopping Moments
Several tracks emerge as true standouts. ‘Something’s Gonna Kill Me,' a rocker about living life to the fullest, ignites the final third of the set with stomping drums and roaring guitars whilst ‘Wild As Her,' Kent’s first number-one hit, helps bring the main set to a climactic close, amplified by the crowd’s fervent singalong.
Final main set closer, ‘Ain't My Day,' a raucous drinking song, keeps the energy high before winding down with the acoustic and heartfelt ‘Bixby.' This tribute to Kent’s hometown and his Oklahoma roots provides a fitting, personal end to the night. Interestingly, ‘Bixby,' new to this project, alongside ‘Notorious,' was going to be the title of the ‘Black Bandana' album before Kent pivoted down a different path so it's great to be able to get a recording of this song before it was lost to a ‘Sliding Doors' moment in time.
A Vibrant and Cohesive Setlist
What makes '24 Live' truly special is how Kent weaves together major-label hits, obscure deep cuts, and heartfelt ballads into a cohesive, emotionally resonant experience. Tracks like ‘Feels a Lot Like This' and ‘Never Ready' highlight Kent’s ability to craft both driving rock songs and reflective, radio-ready anthems.
Corey Kent’s '24 Live' is a masterclass in live performance, capturing the energy and intimacy of a hometown show at its finest. By balancing fan favourites with lesser-known gems, Kent not only delights his loyal audience but also provides an accessible entry point for new listeners. With its mix of anthemic rock, tender ballads, and funky pop-rock tracks, this live album cements Kent’s reputation as one of country music’s most vibrant and versatile performers.
Fans of Corey Kent—and of live music in general—will find much to love in '24 Live.' It’s an album that invites listeners to relive the magic of the night again and again whilst shining a light on some of Corey Kent's lesser known songs. Fans of ‘Blacktop' and ‘Black Bandana' need to pay attention to his pre-label catalogue, and '24 Live' is the perfect vehicle in which to achieve that, proving that these songs still stand the test of time and easily go head to head with any of his latter-day, major label recordings.
Tracklist: 1. Gold 2. Highways 3. Postcard 4. Come Together 5. How You Know You Made It 6. Feels A Lot Like This 7. Long Way 8. Notorious 9. Better Now 10. BiC Flame 11. Boys Growing Up 12. Something's Gonna Kill Me 13. Tumbleweed 14. This Heart 15. Never Ready 16. Wild As Her 17. Ain't My Day 18. Bixby Release Date: 27th December Record Label: Sony Nashvile Buy '24 Live' right here
