Over the previous couple of weeks, singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony Music (actual identify: Chris Lunsford) has seen his identify recognition surge as his track “Wealthy Males North of Richmond,” which criticizes numerous points together with grasping politicians, excessive taxes, low pay, and points surrounding the welfare system. A efficiency video, posted by radiowv on Aug. 7, has earned over 25 million views, whereas the track itself has topped the iTunes nation chart and the Spotify Prime 50-USA chart and appears to be a contender for the highest spot on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart when it arrives on Monday (Aug. 21).
Anthony introduced his stay present to followers in North Carolina over the weekend. On Saturday (Aug. 19), he spearheaded a free present at Eagle Creek Golf Membership and Grill in Moyock, N.C., a tight-knit group simply south of Norfolk, Va., with a inhabitants of simply over 5,000 individuals (as of the 2020 census).
Attendees started displaying as much as the venue round 11 a.m., as garden chairs and blankets proliferated throughout the grounds, and folks packed in near the stage, standing shoulder to shoulder previous to the singer-songwriter’s afternoon set. Some members of safety estimated the day’s attendance roughly between 6,000 and eight,000 attendees.
Previous to his set, a drone may very well be seen flying over the gang, whereas digicam operators filmed crowd footage, noting it was supposed for use for an upcoming music video. A merch stand featured T-shirts emblazoned with Anthony’s identify, with among the shirts additionally bearing crosses or scriptures. Just a few garden indicators emblazoned with “Oliver Anthony 2024” had been scattered throughout the garden, whereas some kids had been sporting “Oliver Anthony for President” shirts.
The “Wealthy Males From North of Richmond” hitmaker took the stage, which was embellished with American flags, and started his afternoon set in a singular vogue; not with crashing cymbals or jangly guitar rhythms, however with prayer. The gang stayed quiet as Anthony adopted by studying a biblical scripture.
He started his set with “I Need to Go House,” earlier than providing up “Ain’t Gotta Greenback,” “’90 Some Chevy,” “I Gotta Get Sober” later performing his predominant draw, “Wealthy Males From North of Richmond.” No pyrotechnics, no flashy stage lights, no choreography; Anthony primarily stayed near the microphone, taking part in a set heavy on mid-tempo songs. Although he famous at one level that his grizzled voice was a bit drained, he sounded robust as he rolled by means of a slate of songs he’s launched over the previous yr or so.
Although some conservative-leaning media personalities had been among the many many sharing the track, initially serving to it to realize traction, the artist himself made no political assertion in the course of the present, protecting his music entrance and middle. He saved his feedback to the gang transient, primarily thanking them for his or her assist of his music. At one level, the gang started chanting “USA! USA!” and at one other second, a crowd member tried to start a “Let’s Go Brandon” anti-president Biden chant that rapidly fizzled, even drawing criticism from some attendees seated farther from the stage. Different attendees held up American flags in the course of the efficiency.
Although Jamey Johnson beforehand confirmed up as a shock visitor throughout certainly one of Anthony’s earlier reveals; the Moyock present had no particular friends, however the artist did reprise a efficiency of Johnson’s “In Coloration,” welcoming one of many day’s opening acts to the stage.
Right here, we take a look at 5 standouts from the day:
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A Canine Affair
It wasn’t only some attendees who introduced their beloved pooches to the laid-back out of doors live performance; as Anthony was being escorted by means of the sting of the gang to the stage — guitar in hand — he introduced his three canine with him; they later sat to the facet of the stage throughout his efficiency.
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“Wealthy Males North of Richmond”
Picture Credit score: Michael Caudill for Billboard Close to the closing of his set, Anthony performed the track that so many individuals got here to listen to — “Wealthy Males North of Richmond,” the track that has crested on quite a few charts, together with iTunes and Spotify. The realm in entrance of the stage was a sea of cell telephones, with some individuals standing atop picnic tables to get higher views, as he sang his story of rage towards greed and injustice. Anthony led nearly all of the primary rendition of the track, till the swelling cheering of the gang enticed him to sing it but once more; although this time, it appeared to be the viewers’s time to shine, as they sang the phrases — significantly the intro verses bemoaning “workin’ all day/ Additional time hours for bulls— pay” — ever louder.
By the track’s conclusion, the gang was chanting “Another time!” although as an alternative of a 3rd run by means of his hit, Anthony opted to maneuver on within the set listing.
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Past “Wealthy Males”
Picture Credit score: Michael Caudill for Billboard Although Anthony’s “Wealthy Males From North of Richmond” has been a juggernaut, different songs from his catalog, together with “Ain’t Gotta Greenback,” have additionally been surging and discovering a following. As with “Wealthy Males,” another songs contact on political scourging. A specific line in his track “Doggonit” elicited rowdy cheers from the gang, as he gave either side of the political aisle a musical upbraiding with the road “And Republicans and Democrats/ I swear they’re all simply stuffed with crap/ I ain’t by no means met a great metropolis slicker bureaucrat.”
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Group Spirit
Picture Credit score: Michael Caudill for Billboard The live performance on the Eagle Creek venue in Moyock, N.C., got here collectively in a matter of days, because of scores of volunteers within the small group, who rapidly assembled to deal with all the things from driving shuttles of attendees to the live performance grounds to helping with autograph strains.
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Fan Dedication
Picture Credit score: Michael Caudill for Billboard When his set was completed, Anthony spent greater than two hours with attendees, taking pictures with followers and signing autographs on all the things from T-shirts and boots to sure, greenback payments.
