This marks Smith’s second consecutive show at this venue (where he played last summer for “The Fest”), and he shared the stage with Drew Baldridge, Michael Ray and Jerrod Niemann. DJ Deuce provided the musical entertainment at this year’s event.
Smith opened his set with the fun, drinking song “Hole in a Bottle,” where he got the crowd pumped up. During the second song, he performed the new tune “Love and Learn,” where he forgot the lyrics but handled himself well, even though Jerrod Niemann and Michael Ray poked fun at him.
He bounced back stronger than ever with his latest radio single, “Like You That Way,” which he dedicated to the “girls that have a mind of their own.” “Girls that are Miranda Lambert crazy,” he said, referring to the lyrics of the infectious chorus.
The Virginia native closed his set with his signature song, “Love You Like That,” where he personalized the lyrics to the local town as follows: “I think we got another memory up in Farmingville,” which was met with a raucous response. On this chart-topping song, Smith displayed his tremendous vocal range and ability to hit the high notes, where the acoustic instrumentation allowed the audience to enjoy his smooth vocals in their purest form. He went on to thank the fans and the radio station, My Country 96.1 FM, and wished everybody a good night.
The Verdict
Overall, Canaan Smith was able to deliver at the Pennysaver Amphitheater in New York. His set was unique and eclectic, thus showcasing his versatility as a recording artist. Smith deserves to be commended for his strong stage presence and lively personality. His set earned 4.5 out of 5 stars.
