Lewis was able to warm up the stage for Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He opened his set by reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance,” and immediately broke into “Country Boy.” Throughout the show, Lewis performed songs from his latest country album, the critically-acclaimed Sinner.
In “Sinner,” Lewis showcased his rich, baritone vocals as yellow lights dimmed from the stage. The song featured neat harmonica and dobro instrumentation. He shared that “State Lines” was based on a true story, and delivered an upbeat rendition of the tune. He continued with the mid-tempo “Northern Redneck” and equally remarkable was “Mama.”
One of the highlight vocals of his set included his signature song “It’s Been Awhile” (from his rock band Staind) which topped the Billboard rock charts. Lewis showcased his harking, raspy voice, where he nailed the high notes. Lewis tipped his hat to the late music legends Merle Haggard (“Okie From Muskogee”) and Gregg Allman, where he covered The Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider.”
Sinner is available on iTunes.
The Verdict
Overall, Aaron Lewis was able to deliver during his opening set at Jones Beach Theater. He really got the crowd pumped for Hank Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lewis is worth checking out in a live setting, whenever he is in town. Lewis is a gifted artist that can tackle songs in such musical genres as country, rock and alternative, and he sings them all with comfort and ease. His live set garnered 4.5 out of 5 stars.
To learn more about singer-songwriter Aaron Lewis and his music, check out his official website.
