Lady Antebellum’s Take Me Downtown Tour: Exclusive Photos
Lady Antebellum is criss-crossing the country on its 2014 Take Me Downtown Tour, a trek that takes the country trio to what vocalist Charles Kelley hopes is "the next level." "We definitely learned a lot about ourselves as live performers and the type of catalog we wanted to have, so that we could go out and try to give the fans the best show they've ever experienced," he explains of the band's previous tour, during which they wrote several songs for their current album, Golden. "All of that was the jumping off point for this tour."
Read More: Lady Antebellum Announce First Leg of Take Me Downtown Tour | https://tasteofcountry.com/lady-antebellum-take-me-down-tour-dates/?trackback=tsmclip
Read More: Lady Antebellum Announce First Leg of Take Me Downtown Tour | https://tasteofcountry.com/lady-antebellum-take-me-down-tour-dates/?trackback=tsmclip
Read More: Lady Antebellum Announce First Leg of Take Me Downtown Tour | https://tasteofcountry.com/lady-antebellum-take-me-down-tour-dates/?trackback=tsmclip
Kelley, along with bandmates Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott, invited Rolling Stone Country backstage and onstage at their recent stop in Irvine, California, where we captured them doing everything from introducing new songs to playing ping-pong.
All photographs by Joseph Llanes
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The group's backstage setup includes a custom ping-pong table that is part of the band's pre-show warmup ritual. Haywood and Kelley have named their doubles team "The Dynasty."
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Kelley enjoys a pre-show cocktail in the dressing room.
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Before the trio hit the stage, they treat a small group of fans to a stripped-down pre-show mini set backstage.
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Minutes before taking the stage, Kelley, Scott and Haywood gather for a last minute huddle.
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Scott, Kelley and Haywood have been harmonizing since 2006.
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Charles Kelley has his brother, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley, to thank (at least in part) for his career. It was Josh who convinced Charles to quit his job and pursue a career in music.
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Multi-instrumentalist Haywood takes to the piano. Haywood and his wife, Kelli, are expecting their first child later this year.
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To say the energy was high in Irvine would be an understatement.
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Kelley, Scott and Haywood depart the main stage, surprising fans by walking straight up the aisles.
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Surrounded by a sea of fans, the trio emerges halfway through the crowd, where they perform the next several songs.
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Scott leads the group back through the amphitheater of fans, returning to the main stage.
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Kelley breaks out into the crowd.
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Haywood on guitar and Kelley, tambourine in-hand, share the spotlight.
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The night comes to an end as the amphitheater fills with confetti.
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Scott and Kelley exit the stage after an exhilarating show.