I recently had the great pleasure of attending a KC Johns concert during her UK tour. Not only did I get to see one of the best live performances of my life, I also got to chat to the country rocker, who weighed in on the UK vs. US crowd debate.
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KC Johns hit the UK for a tour in May, where she performed from Cardiff all the way to London. On her last show of the tour, in Syon Park, I went to pay her a visit.
Last we spoke online, I told her about what to expect from the UK. In parts, I was a little pessimistic, but thankfully that didn't influence her enjoyment while she was down here.
I was able to talk to KC Johns before her show. I was directed to a small tent, and standing before me was KC Johns and her talented crew. Honestly, I was a little stunned to see everyone in person after so much online exposure.
Everyone was super friendly, I could honestly have spent the whole day with them.
But soon enough, KC and I sat and got down to business, where I asked her to weigh in on the US vs UK crowd debate.
KC Johns Compares US and UK Crowds
It turns out that, honestly, we're not so different.
"I don't know, that's really hard," she began when I asked which crowd is better. "I feel like both of them are kinda similar, but different in a lot of ways."
"Every crowd I've played for has brought great energy," she added of UK crowds. I expressed my surprise, as I've heard that US crowds tend to get a little crazier, especially for country shows. But she stood firm and said that they are both as great as each other.
There is one thing she can say about UK crowds, however. "I do think UK crowds, in my opinion, they really respect what's happening around them, and they're really present, and it's so beautiful to see that."
"As far as party crowds go, I feel you guys have definitely matched the energy for sure."
The country rockstar expressed that she really didn't want to leave the UK, and that she's been having a great time.
"I'm so sad, I don't want it to end! I just texted my entire team, and said 'Do we have to go? I just want to stay," she complained when we first started talking. "Weather's been great, the people have been amazing. I don't think I can pick a favorite show... there's a story to tell at every show."
And one of those stories are pretty crazy.
KC Johns Had To Perform During A Power Outage
Her tour got pretty eventful when she played at Bucklin' Boots.
"In the middle of our set, the power went out," she said. "So we just started singing 'Jolene' acoustic, and we all cornered together, and the entire audience sang together until the power came back on."
If only I could have attended that performance, too.
"We felt like such a connection to the audience... the crowds have been amazing."
Then, It Was Showtime
After our chat together, I returned to the festival to allow the band to get ready. I had a couple hours of downtime that I used very productively. I had four samples of chocolate orange rum, a tequila sunrise cocktail, and gushed to a colleague how awesome it was to talk to KC Johns.
Before long, she walked out.
KC Johns and co. took to the stage. The clouds had parted to bathe the growing audience in warmth, as if to bring a little heat from her hometown, Memphis, Tennessee.
After some setup, she exploded into "Smoke Show," her most recent single that she's been opening with for a while now. From the moment the first chord rang out, we knew we were in for a treat.
The set was awesome. She performed many singles that haven't been released yet, but finished with her resounding showstopper "Rodeo Queen."
Kids with inflatable guitars rocked along to the ever-charismatic singer from over the sea. People got up to dance and threw up signature rock gestures. We don't often get artists like KC Johns over here, with her rock-infused country style, but everyone loved it.
I need those unreleased songs to be cut now. I can't keep rewatching the recordings on my phone.
Thankfully, KC Johns will be back to the UK in November after her June to October tour in the states. She can't come back quick enough.
