Brett Young has long been one of country music’s most compelling voices — a master of heartfelt storytelling wrapped in sleek, radio-ready melodies. Since his self-titled debut in 2017, the California native has carved out a signature sound blending contemporary country with soulful pop influences, earning him multi-platinum hits like ‘In Case You Didn’t Know,' ‘Mercy' and ‘Here Tonight.' Known for his smooth vocals and emotional sincerity, Young has established himself as an artist who thrives on connection, turning moments of vulnerability into songs that resonate with fans around the world.
Now, with his ‘Back to Basics' tour, Brett Young is bringing that intimacy and charisma to the stage in a new era of his career. Following the success of his latest releases and years of chart-topping singles, the tour sees him lean into both his romantic balladry and his evolving, more dynamic sound. As he arrived in Birmingham last night, fans got a show that blended nostalgia with fresh energy — a celebration of where he’s been and where he’s heading, from the California coast to the heart of country music.
Brett Young brought his ‘Back to Basics' tour to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena last night, and from the moment he strolled on stage—muscle shirt, guitar in hand and a grin that could melt steel—the crowd was his. Hollers and cries filled the air before he’d even sung a note. Then came that rich, smooth voice—warm, velvety and effortlessly commanding. ‘Sleep Without You' set the tone early, its big chorus rolling through the arena like a wave. When Young invited the audience to take over the third chorus, they didn’t miss a beat, roaring it back to him with unrestrained joy.
Keeping his guitar slung low, Young eased into ‘Ticket to L.A.,' the breezy hit elevated by the surprising addition of a live cellist. The instrument added texture and warmth, rounding out the sound alongside his two guitarists to create a big, cinematic arena mix. The song’s ending broke into an elongated jam session straight out of the 80s—complete with soaring solos and indulgent flair—that delighted the crowd and proved that Young’s band could match his vocal power with pure instrumental energy.
Setting the guitar aside, Young turned showman for ‘Tastes Like You.' Striding across the stage, microphone in hand, he commanded every inch of space with a slick confidence. The song unfolded into a powerful, dramatic number, capped by a furious cello solo that elevated the whole thing from pop-country polish to something almost symphonic. “Welcome to night number ten of the overseas leg of the Back to Basics tour,” he said afterward, explaining that the concept was about stripping away the gimmicks—no pyro, no backing tracks, just authentic music and storytelling.
That ethos came through in ‘Catch,' which began with Young seated and contemplative before bursting into an anthemic chorus that lifted both him and the crowd to their feet. His passion for the song’s story was palpable, and by the final verse he was lost in it—eyes closed, voice soaring, feeding off the audience’s energy. Then came ‘Kiss to Forget,' performed from a stool at the front of the stage. It was a masterclass in intimacy, the vast arena suddenly shrinking to feel like a small club, every lyric hanging in the air.
Young’s connection with his fans deepened as he introduced ‘You Didn’t,' urging the crowd to “sing, scream and cry in front of your neighbours.” They did exactly that, shouting every word of the chorus as Young moved across the stage like a conductor. He followed with a touching storytelling segment about the songs he’d written for his daughters. Explaining how ‘Lady' was born during his wife’s pregnancy—with a call to fellow songwriter Jon Nite for advice—he performed the hit beneath a sea of phone lights. The song’s tender message and swelling guitar solo earned one of the night’s biggest ovations.
‘Full House,' written for his second daughter Rowan, continued the emotional thread. Young’s storytelling—warm, funny, self-deprecating—brought a rare intimacy to the arena. The cello once again shone, driving the song’s rich, layered arrangement and closing it with poignancy. Then, with a grin, he lightened the mood: “I know that was a sappy ten minutes! How about a drinking song about making bad decisions?” The crowd laughed and ‘Drink With You' followed, its dobro accompaniment adding a fresh, rootsy tone.
From there, the energy surged. ‘You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me' stood out as one of the night’s highlights—reimagined with a cello-driven arrangement that magnified the heartbreak. ‘Like I Loved You' saw the band loosen up and have fun, roaming the stage and trading smiles, while Young danced through the piano breaks. His cover of Luke Combs’ ‘Beautiful Crazy' was a heartfelt tribute to his wife, complete with a charming story about their wedding-day music mishap that had the crowd laughing along. When Young briefly left the stage, his band took over in spectacular fashion, trading vocals, jamming furiously and even duelling on cello and electric fiddle in a display of sheer musicianship.
The final stretch was a euphoric run. Support artist Sam Fischer joined Young for a stirring duet of ‘Mercy,' the pair’s harmonies filling the arena and earning the night’s loudest cheers. ‘Who I Do It For' brought the show back to its emotional centre—honest, heartfelt and beautifully told—before ‘That Ain’t Yours,' ‘Say Less' and ‘Here Tonight' closed the main set in a rush of anthemic joy. Fischer’s return for ‘Here Tonight' turned the arena into a giant singalong, the band smiling and dancing through the finale. And then, of course, there was one song left. Young returned for ‘In Case You Didn’t Know,' the crowd singing every word as he stood grinning, visibly moved. Calling this the ‘Back to Basics' tour was a masterstroke—it was an evening of pure storytelling, superb musicianship and heart-on-sleeve sincerity. Brett Young didn’t just perform in Birmingham; he made thousands of people feel like part of his story and that is a rare gift, deftly handled and impeccably executed.
Setlist: 1. Sleep Without You 2. Ticket to LA 3. Tastes Like You 4. Catch 5. Kiss to Forget 6. You Didn't 7. Lady 8. Full House 9. Drink With You 10. You Ain't Here to Kiss Me 11. Like I Loved You 12. Beautiful Crazy 13. This City 14. Mercy 15. Dance With You 16. You Still Got It 17. Who I Do It For 18. That Ain't Yours 19. Say Less 20. Here Tonight 21. In Case You Didn't Know Date: November 4th Venue: Utilita Arena, Birmingham
