by Chaz Dykes, tour file photos by Tyler Conrad
Friday night at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre offered the perfect backdrop for country music. The weather was absolutely ideal for a night under the stars, complete with a bright full moon hanging over the fairgrounds. Adding a bit of unexpected open-air exposure to the reserved sections was the venue itself the amphitheater’s roof still hasn’t been replaced since the two recent hurricanes came through. Ultimately, it gave the evening a rugged, resilient feel as Tim McGraw rolled into Tampa for his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour.
Rising Appalachian band 49 Winchester got things started, bringing their signature grit and tight harmonies to the stage. They warmed up the early crowd with a set of southern-rock-infused country that perfectly set the mood for the rest of the evening, anchored by standout performances of “Tulsa” and “Last Call.” But it was their closing number that left a lasting impression. Paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the band delivered a haunting version of “Changes.” As the singer, Isaac Gibson, delivered the final chorus, the rest of the band slowly walked off stage. He then stepped away himself, leaving the crowd with a striking final image: a completely blacked-out stage with just a few overhead spotlights shining down on a single, empty mic stand.
When McGraw finally took the stage, he threw the audience a massive curveball. Instead of kicking off with the usual high-decibel, arena-tour explosion, he stripped the production all the way down. For the first 30 to 40 minutes, the concert felt more like an episode of VH1 Storytellers. McGraw took his time talking to the crowd, explaining that he wanted everyone to experience these songs the exact way they were originally written and recorded in the studio. It completely traded the standard concert hype for genuine intimacy, making the 20,000-capacity venue feel remarkably small.
That conversational setting paved the way for a genuinely unexpected setlist addition. McGraw told the crowd that at the specific request of his wife, Faith Hill, he added “My Best Friend” to this tour. Astonishingly, he mentioned that he had never actually performed the beloved track live before. Hearing it delivered in that raw, storytelling format gave the classic song a completely new life and earned a massive reaction from the crowd.
Eventually, the full band kicked into gear, and the night naturally evolved into the massive, boot-stomping singalongs McGraw is known for. Bridging the gap between his ’90s staples and modern anthems, his voice remained sharp and his stage presence undeniable under the Florida sky. By the time the final chords rang out, the consensus was obvious. McGraw didn’t just play a standard setlist; he delivered an unforgettable night that had everything a country fan could ask for: cowboy boots, short skirts, and a full moon.
“Now Go Out and See some Live Music.”
