Times are changing in the world of music. Genre diversity has actually become a celebrated virtue. No better proof of this was the line stretched outside Club Red last night for the sold out Yelawolf show. A unique breed of country, rock n' roll, and hip hop that has rallied an ever growing fan base. Rightfully so, as there's nothing quite like the culturally fused environment to be experienced at his concerts.
A rather unorthodox set up includes pink lemonade, lit candles, and animal skulls. But the most important part of setting Love Story Tour: Chapter 1? Polishing the Chevy. 
If you picked up the new album Love Story, you'll definitely appreciate the opening song of the night- "Outer Space". There's nobody looking around the room trying to assess the crowds enthusiasm. We're all too caught up in the energy exchange happening between Slumerican citizens and Yelawolf delivering fast, accurate, whiskey fueled bars over a hard hitting instrumental. The tone is set for a high energy night at Club Red.
Over his next song "Good to Go" Yela chops his verses through an auto tune effect that produces a one of a kind country flange fire spit. It's additions like this that make a his live show a special experience you just don't get from studio recordings. DJ Klever busts out some scratching improvisation while accompanying instrumentalist Bones Owens whips out a new guitar, which we'll see happen again for pretty much every song tonight.
Between songs a fight gets broken up and participants consequently thrown out. Yelawolf has something to say on the matter while security plows through the crowd seeking out more delinquents.
"Security. Security what are you doin? Security. Security. Hey nobody's gettin kicked out. Even if you get in a fight, you aint' gettin kicked out. Unless you hit a woman, then you gettin kicked out. And none of you Slumerican Bells be puttin your hands on no one either."
But it's with more rage you'd see in an actual fight that Yelawolf performs "Growing Up in the Gutter". The already unique experience transcends into a raw display of angry performance art. Yela is laying down some impressive gnarly screams. Adding to the chaos he goes on to ignite one of his set lists and demolish a mic stand, smashing it vigorously against the stage.
The crowds wild animation over this vulgar display of power comes as no surprise. However everyone's adoration of "Ball and Chain" is pleasantly unexpected. Although one of the slower songs on the new album, its an immediate fit of cheering and excitement upon hearing the intro. It seems Yelawolf's fan base has a true appreciation for the variety of songs he has to offer.
Moving straight out of "Ball and Chain" comes whats sure to be the craziest three minutes of the night. "We don't do this next one unless the crowd is really rowdy" Yela tells us, and we already know it's "Push 'Em". Living up to the expectation a mosh pit breaks out and continues though an impressive upright bass solo. I lace up my beer soaked shoes and get back to the action.
"Whiskey in a Bottle" warrants unanimous audience participation. Every hand in the room shoots up at the beckon of the lyrics "so put your hands in the sky". Bones Owens is mixing in some heavy chords to "Let's Roll". There's numerous fans shouting out just for Bones, looks like Yelawolf's rockstar lineup of musicians is getting the props they deserve. Between songs Yela begins chanting the following to us over and over;
"Slumerican means
slum american breed
gutter raised with worldwide dreams"
He goes on to say "I aint no politician. I get tired of people asking me the same questions. Asking me to hold their babies. I dont wanna hold your motherf****** baby." Establishing the Slumerican culture, he finishes this rant stating "If you don't get it, you don't motherf****** get it. That's cool with me."
Matching the genre diversity of Yelawolf's catalog, Owens is jumping from instrument to instrument all night. For "Throw it Up", he moves to his eloquently set up piano. A Smooth piano transition brings us into "Pop the Trunk" As usual the song is introduced with a deep monologue about the reality of death and preciousness of life. Condolences are expressed to fallen soldiers and victims of police brutality. The mood in the room continues to build and eventually bubble over as Yelawolf states "F*** the police" and begins the song.
Yelawolf's fan base is clearly supportive of the variety of genres his songs touch on. However this isn't the case for some Yelawolf critics. Acknowledging this, he goes on to pay homage toward his idols "If you dont like Garth Brooks then fuck you" before starting the next track. (It might be worth noting in light of Yelawolf's relationship with Eminem the lyrics from The Slim Shady LP in which Shady states "I slapped Garth Brooks out of his rhinestone shirt".) "I Wish" goes on to introduce a rock mix of instrumentals from classic artists such as Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin.
Yela takes a swig of Jager Bones, Bones whips out the appalachian dulcimer, and in comes "Catfish Billy". I hear what I think is a lot of reverb coming from the lead microphone before I realize it's the crowd seamlessly chanting lyrics in sync.
Throught the show Yelawolf has shown himself to be a charismatic entertainer. But beyond that, he harbors some animosity within him self as he expresses in his introduction to "Best Friend" saying
"Fuck the church. Take it personal, fuck your church, This is church. If im not allowed to join your church cause of the music, tattoos, weed, we'll just create it our own way.
For the last part of the show a very special guest is introtuced to the stage. An individual who Yelawolf cites as a big influence on his individualistic creative attitude during the making of Love Story. Fefe Dobson takes the stage alongside her fiance as the two perform "Devil In My Veins" Closing out the show is the single "Till It's Gone" delivered again with special guest Fefe Dobson.
It almost slips my mind that "Till It's Gone" is a single off of Love Story. The crowd doesn't respond to the introduction of songs in the same way that a crowd does to the one hit wonders. Song after song the crowd is run amok with the excitement you might expect to see for the single off the new album. A diverse performer supported by an equally well rounded fan base makes for a show full of twists and turns in style, emotion, and instrumentals. The Love Story Tour: Chapter 1 tour is easily one of the best hip hop shows to come around in quite some time. But more than that, its also a unique musical experience. Do yourself a favor- pick up Love Story and see the show. You won't regret it.
