This blog post is all about my Lainey Wilson review of her Whirlwind tour at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
There’s something about a country concert on a Monday night that feels slightly rebellious.
Monday is usually for early nights, getting organized and easing yourself into the week. Not pulling on cowboy boots and heading to a sold-out arena show.
But on Monday 16th February, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney felt anything but low energy. It felt like Nashville had quietly set up camp in Sydney’s west, and everyone had agreed to lean into it.
Lainey Wilson brought her Whirlwind Tour to town, and judging by the atmosphere before she’d even stepped on stage, country music isn’t just having a moment in Sydney, it’s fully embedded.
I’ve been listening to Lainey Wilson for years now, but this was my first time seeing her live, and I was genuinely curious to see how her music would translate in an arena setting.
Some artists feel built for big rooms. Others lose something when scaled up. By the end of the night, it was very clear which category she falls into.
Lainey Wilson may be a huge part of the reason that country’s very much cool again.
RELATED Lainey Wilson Review blog posts to read:
- Luke Combs Concert Review: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- Ridin’ Hearts Festival Review: Megan Moroney Rocks Sydney
- Powerful Jelly Roll Concert Review: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
- James Johnston Review: A Country Night at the Barracks, Sydney
- Amble Concert Review: An Irish Takeover at Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Denim, Boots and a Quiet Buzz
My boyfriend and I arrived around 7:45pm since we had seats on the floor, eleven rows back and directly in the middle, which honestly was a great position.
It was my first time sitting at a show in Qudos Bank Arena, and while I loved the clear view of everything, I do think standing would have added an extra layer of energy. There’s something about being on your feet that encourages you to properly be immersed in the show.
Outside, the vibe was what I’d call “quietly buzzing.” It wasn’t chaotic or overwhelming, but you could feel the anticipation building as more people arrived.
And the outfits. The commitment to the theme was impressive. Head-to-toe denim, cow print, flares, jumpsuits, trucker hats, boots in every colour imaginable.
The cowboy hats were absolutely everywhere, not just a handful dotted through the crowd but rows and rows of them.
The demographic was mixed with couples, groups of girls, mums and daughters, and quite a few kids in little cowboy boots, which added a wholesome feel to the whole thing.
Flatland Cavalry Set the Tone
We missed Kaitlin Butts’ opening set at 7pm, but we did catch Flatland Cavalry at 8pm, and they were great.
The six-piece band from Texas brought a distinctive, layered sound that worked really well in the arena.
At one point they all stepped forward to the front of the stage together with their instruments, playing in a tighter formation, and it created this really nice intimate moment in what is otherwise a massive room.
There was an interesting moment when Kaitlin joined them on stage for a song. Considering she’s married to their lead singer, Cleto Cordero, you might expect a bit of playful chemistry, but oddly there wasn’t much interaction between them at all.
It wasn’t bad by any means, just slightly surprising.
Still, they were a strong support act and set the tone nicely without trying to overshadow what was to come.
The Horseshoe, The Silhouette, The Entrance
When it was finally time for Lainey Wilson, the production immediately elevated everything.
The stage design was centred around a huge illuminated horseshoe graphic on the main screen behind her, which stayed as a visual anchor throughout the night.
Sometimes it was filled with moving graphics that changed depending on the song, and sometimes it stood bold and simple.
It was such a clever design choice because it felt very on-brand without being overcomplicated.
Her entrance was iconic. The lights dropped, the horseshoe glowed, and then her silhouette appeared inside it.
The oversized cowboy hat. The bell bottoms. That stance. It was one of those “okay, this is iconic” moments.
She opened with “Whirlwind,” the title track of her newest album, and it was dramatic in the best way. Confident, controlled, completely owning the arena from the first note.
A Stage Presence That Feels Earned
What stood out to me most throughout the show was how comfortable she looked up there.
Not overwhelmed by the size of the arena. Not trying too hard. Just fully in control. She has that rare ability to feel arena-ready while still coming across as genuinely warm.
The sound quality was perfect, balanced beautifully between her vocals and the band.
And she made sure her band were part of the spotlight, constantly turning to them, giving them space to shine, involving them in the storytelling of the night.
She moved down the small catwalk into the VIP section multiple times, signing things, making eye contact, waving.
At one point she even did a full walk around the arena floor, high-fiving fans as she went. It’s those kinds of moments that shrink a huge venue into something that feels personal.
She also spoke about Australia (or as Lainey would say, “Awwwstralia”‘), mentioning a family she’d met here who owned a ranch and saying she feels like she has a home on the other side of the world now.
It didn’t feel scripted or overly polished, it felt genuine. She hasn’t been here in two years, and you could tell she was happy to be back.
The Songs That Lifted the Arena
The biggest singalongs of the night were easily “4x4xU,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and of course “Heart Like a Truck,” which closed the show.
When those opening chords started, the entire arena lifted. People were on their feet, hands in the air, singing every word.
She also played “Things a Man Oughta Know,” dedicating it to all the cowgirls in the room, which got one of the loudest reactions of the night.
But for me, the most special moment was “Whiskey Colored Crayon.”
It’s the final track on her newest album, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to make the setlist.
Instead, she sat at the front of the stage with just her guitar and played it solo. No band. No big lighting effects. Just her voice.
You could have heard a pin drop.
That was my goosebumps moment. Completely still, and completely perfect.
She also performed an acoustic version of an unreleased song called “Can’t Sit Still,” which sounded brilliant, and invited Cleto Cordero back out to duet with her on “…Meantime.”
Later, her band joined her at the front of the stage for a stripped-back version of “Counting Chickens,” which gave the show a really nice change of pace.
Cowgirl of the Night
One of the sweetest moments of the evening was her “Cowgirl of the Night” segment, where she brought a little girl up on stage and gifted her a cowboy hat.
She had the girl repeat affirmations like “I am smart, I am beautiful, I am strong,” and the whole arena melted a little.
It felt empowering without being forced, and you could tell it genuinely meant something to her.
She spoke openly about how her early years in country music weren’t easy and how the last five years have really changed everything for her.
Watching someone who has worked for their moment stand confidently in it is always powerful.
Nashville Energy, Australian Crowd
Emotionally, the show felt empowering and fun, but also authentically country.
It didn’t feel like a pop show dressed up in cowboy boots. It felt rooted in storytelling and tradition, which I loved.
“Peace, Love and Cowboys” was another highlight for me, more moving than I expected, and there was something really satisfying about hearing thousands of people sing those kinds of anthemic lyrics together.
Australia has a strong country culture of its own, so the American country vibe translated seamlessly.
The Ringers Western shirts, mullets, plaid and trucker hats in the crowd made it feel less like an imported genre and more like a shared language.
At one point during the stripped-back section, someone near us got engaged, which added another layer of sweetness to the night.
Lainey didn’t notice, but the small pocket of cheering definitely caught our attention.
The Ending
There was no encore, which surprised me at first, but finishing with “Heart Like a Truck” felt right.
It was big, celebratory and gave everyone the ending they wanted. She thanked Australia, waved to the crowd, and once she left the stage, her band played a little longer to round things off.
Walking out of Qudos, the energy was quietly buzzing again. Not chaotic. Not wild. Just lots of people smiling and saying how good she was.
Final Thoughts on the Whirlwind Tour
On Monday night, Lainey Wilson proved she’s not just riding a wave, she is the wave.
Confident, authentic, and completely comfortable in an arena setting while still making it feel personal.
Would I see her again? Absolutely.
And next time, I might just swap the seat for a spot on my feet.
RELATED Lainey Wilson Review blog posts to read:
- Luke Combs Concert Review: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- Ridin’ Hearts Festival Review: Megan Moroney Rocks Sydney
- Powerful Jelly Roll Concert Review: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
- James Johnston Review: A Country Night at the Barracks, Sydney
- Amble Concert Review: An Irish Takeover at Enmore Theatre, Sydney
By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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