THE EVOLUTION OF KID ROCK

May 17, 2011

The sun finally broke through the clouds in Vancouver on Tuesday after days of endless grey, just in time for Kid Rock’s Born Free tour to roll into town with enough good vibes to last fans all summer long.

He's come a long way from the decade spent toiling as an unknown artist outside of his local Detroit following.

Born Robert James Ritchie in Romeo, Michigan, Kid Rock has become a force in music. But his journey to the top was a long one, having spent a decade releasing music before garnering some serious attention, including a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, with the album Devil Without a Cause in 1999.

Along the way his sound has evolved from rap/rock to encompass increasingly prominent country and blues influences.

Bringing his tour to Rogers Arena, the American singer-songwriter, musician, and rapper, seemingly enjoys unrestricted freedom to step across traditional music genre boundaries, constructing a unique and classic sound that is simultaneously rock, hip hop, and of course a little be country.

Sure he's still a straggly haired hell raiser from Detroit, but his music has evolved beyond his image. And his Vancouver show encompassed all elements of his sound.

The Trews, a Canadian rock band that hails from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, served as the night's opening act. Composed of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Sean Dalton, the group played a set list including "Not Ready to Go" and "Poor Ol' Broken Hearted Me" to a filling stadium.

When the lights finally went down for the main act, "Small Town Girl" began to blare across the speakers, cutting out for the crowd to belt "born and raised in south Detroit".

The arena erupted as Kid Rock, dressed in a leather jacket, jeans, and a fedora, strutted on stage amid blasts of smoke and fire.

Instantly fans were rocking in their seats. Connecting with the crowd and keeping the energy high, Kid Rock moved effortlessly between his bad boy persona and being a gifted performer—causing a raucous with "Cowboy" before taking a turn on the piano for the ballad "Care".

The musical range of the show was supported by his talented longtime band, Twister Brown Trucker. The band members were spread out across the stage that was set up like a country tavern complete with a wood bar/DJ station, imprinted with "Jim Beam" and a bronze eagle mounted overhead.

"Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "Sugar" were rolled out, keeping the crowd entertained. Also added to the mix was "Flyin' High", off his latest album Born Free, which saw Kid Rock sit back at the edge of the catwalk in a metal fold-up camping chair.

Fully embracing the Born Free theme, Kid Rock continues to defy genre borders, slipping effortlessly between them. As his music and persona evolve, the mix of blended influences continue to draw in fans from all over.