When I was younger, I grew up listening to country music, and Kelsea Ballerini was one voice I always heard on the radio. When I would hang out with my grandma, we would always listen to Ballerini’s music in the car.
I first fell in love with Ballerini’s music when I listened to her album “Subject to Change.” Then, during my sophomore year, Ballerini released “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.” This album release is what ignited Ballerini to become one of my favorite singers.
In the album “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,” Ballerini talks about what has been going on in her life through song. She also released a short film on YouTube that went along with this album. I loved watching the short film.Hearing the lyrics and watching the video brought so much emotion to the songs.
In November of 2024, I was sitting at lunch with my friend, Anna Wadding. Ballerini had just announced her tour the month before, and I was looking to find someone to go with. That afternoon, I asked Anna, and we bought the tickets to see Ballerini.
A week before the concert, I was trying to figure out what to wear. A few days later, Ballerini posted on her Instagram story the attire she desired to see throughout the tour: anything sparkly and cowgirl boots. I based my outfit on the set attire and wore my old red homecoming dress with white shoes. Anna wore a sparkly black dress and white shoes.
As I waited for the concert day to arrive, I was looking forward to hearing “Mountain With A View,” which is a song on the “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” album, “We Broke Up” and “WAIT!” which are both songs on the “Patterns” album.
After three anxiety-filled months of waiting, February 15 finally came, the day I got to see Ballerini in concert. Anna and I were ready to take on Washington, D.C., and attend Ballerini’s concert on her big arena tour called “Patterns.”
Anna and I began our trek to the Capital One Arena. We first hopped on the metro and then took an Uber from the last metro station on our route to the arena. Once we arrived, we immediately got into the merch line to snag shirts. I bought Ballerini’s black shirt that displayed the tour, a picture of her, and the list of tour dates on the back.
Once we took our seats, the first opener, MaRynn Taylor, came on stage. Taylor is a smaller country artist who performed a previously unreleased song, called “Same Girl, Same.” One of the last songs of Taylor’s set was “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. As soon as she began singing, the crowd joined in singing the lyrics. I didn’t expect her to sing “Since You’ve Been Gone,” but it was so cool to sing along with Anna.
After a fifteen-minute intermission, the second opener, Ashe, took the stage. Ashe was popular among the crowd, singing some of her top songs “Moral of the Story” and “Till Forever Falls Apart.” I didn’t know much of Ashe’s music but listening to her sing “Til Forever Falls Apart,” helped me appreciate her as an artist.
After Ashe’s performance, it was the moment everyone was waiting for. “Man, I Feel Like A Woman!” by Shania Twain played as luggage was dropped from the ceiling to set up on stage. Once the song ended, Ballerini took the stage, singing her album name song, “Patterns.” I was so excited when she began singing. Seeing her rise from the middle of the luggage was one of my favorite things from the concert.
Ballerini then began the concert from there, singing one of her most popular songs, “Baggage,” immediately after “Patterns” finished. I was shocked when “Baggage” was the second song and not the first, but still loved listening to her open with “Patterns.” “Baggage” was one of my favorite songs she sang at the concert because I loved seeing everyone around me sing along passionately.
After Ballerini sang a few more songs such as, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Heartfirst,” and “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO).” Ballerini then took a quick break to sit down and engage with the crowd which was so cool to see, because it made me feel like I was friends with her.
(Melinda Staudinger)
Ballerini sat and talked about embracing a season of singleness and never being scared to chase after the one they love. After this, she led into her song “First Rodeo,” which is all about her new relationship with “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes. After the concert, I listened to this song so much because I love listening to how happy she is as she sings.
I would say the second part of the concert was my favorite because Ballerini sang some of my favorite songs. Ballerini sang “Mountain With a View,” “Blindsided,” and “We Broke Up” during the second hour. During this hour, I think the crowd was more electric. I felt everyone’s excitement and everyone get loose as they sang. I felt so happy because some of my favorite songs were being sang and I didn’t want the night to end.
Ballerini surprised the crowd with a song on “Patterns Deluxe,” “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak.” I was so excited when she announced this as the surprise song because I kept seeing her sing it online and I love how the song demonstrates someone’s deep love. Before Ballerini sang this song she talked to the crowd about her healing journey and how this song exemplifies the new chapter of her life.
After her last song of the set, “How Do I Do This,” Ballerini left the stage. The crowd cheered for her as everyone awaited her return for the last song of the night.
As everyone waited, two minutes later Ballerini rose from the bottom of the stage singing one of her most popular songs off the “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” EP, “Penthouse.” The crowd screamed along to this song, and as the song played, I could feel the heartfelt emotion within the room. Anna and I stood there also emotional as she sang with the crowd the most viral part of the song, “And now I don’t care where you’re sleeping baby…”
(Melinda Staudinger)
Once the song ended, Ballerini officially left the stage, and the concert was over. Anna and I then looked at each other and reflected on what an amazing and emotional time we had. After the concert, my new favorite songs are: “This Time Last Year,” “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” “Muscle Memory,” and “We Broke Up.”
Ballerini’s concert was easily the best one I have ever been to. Anna and I had the best time together listening to one of our favorite singers. On the way home, we reflected on the amazing time we had, talking about our favorite moments as she sang, and also looking through the photos we took together. I will always be thankful that I purchased tickets to see Kelsea Ballerini.
