Keith Urban At The Indiana State Fair 2010

Keith Urban gives fans a sweet show at Indiana State Fair

By David Lindquist
Posted: August 15, 2010



Despite being at the end of the promotional cycle for his 2009 album "Defying Gravity" and being armed with no new music to hype, Keith Urban made plenty of memories Saturday night at the State Fair.

The show belonged to his audience (estimated at 10,000), the country music star said at the outset.

A rendition of John Mellencamp's "Jack & Diane" -- with a mostly capable assist from supporting act Kris Allen -- provided one unexpected wrinkle.

No modern musician surpasses Urban in terms of giving credit to Mellencamp as an influence, and the Australian clearly enjoyed playing "Jack & Diane" for a Hoosier crowd.

Urban also shared news that his wife, Nicole Kidman, was watching the concert from the side of the stage.

With Justin Bieber (who attended Friday's Drake concert) and Kidman as guests on consecutive days, the fair must be the place to be.

Urban, meanwhile, always looks for ways to connect with fans, and Saturday's dash to sing a song at the bottom of the bleachers improved a similar stunt from his 2009 visit to the fair: He stood on a higher platform, and he played a bigger hit, "You Look Good in My Shirt."

Before the show, a large video screen displayed fan text messages, including one that hailed the concert as a great date night.

Without making gender-based generalizations, an Urban performance does offer enough to thrill both parties in a relationship.

One half of a duo might swoon to melodic confections such as "Kiss a Girl" and "Sweet Thing," while the other half might spend the drive home raving about Urban's guitar prowess.

His picking lived up to its growing reputation Saturday, when a piercing yet creamy guitar tone defined an extended solo at the conclusion of "Stupid Boy."

Speedy riffing brought "Where the Blacktop Ends" to a climax, while Urban's blues-rock skills on "'Til Summer Comes Around" legitimately earned comparisons to Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.













Just some of the Tweets from last night.....


ScottStowe:@krisallen put on a great show! Awaiting @keithurban. Caught a glimpse of Nicole Kidman earlier, beautiful. about 17 hours ago via Twitterrific

Good night, dinner with @KrisAllen who put on a great show by the way. @KeithUrban killed it as well, and my dudes from @3union the same... about 13 hours ago via web

betsybeutler:I wish I was Nicole Kidman at this very moment. Keith Urban is rocking at the Indiana State Fair. http://tweetphoto.com/39036326 about 17 hours ago via Echofon

gotothefairLove that groups of people are just standing still outside the gates listening to keith urban. #indystatefair #perfectsummernight about 17 hours ago via Twitter for Android


jaykayort:Keith Urban is RIDICULOUS. He's blowing me away. about 17 hours ago via txt

Oh hey Nicole Kidman! about 16 hours ago via txt


valarias:Keith Urban is a guitar god!! about 17 hours ago via txt

Best concert EVERR!!!! #KEITHURBAN #SUMMERLOVINTOUR2010 about 15 hours ago via txt

lauren2754:why is it that all country singers sound awful live??? but not keith urban!! and i am not just saying that because i am in love with him ... about 17 hours ago via txt


glwerner:Keith just told us he sang "memories of us" to Nicole on their wedding day. Oh and that she's here tonight too!!!! about 16 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone


indystatefair:Keith Urban has the crowd completely crazy for him! http://twitpic.com/2eu4ku about 16 hours ago via Twitpic

thewoodfamily2:Keith Urban concert far exceeded my expectations. That dude can really play the guitar. I was more than impressed. Great show! about 1 hour ago via TwitBird


hartnursekafan:We sang ABCs with Keith urban about 17 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

Singing to Nicole on the side of stage less about 16 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone