Country Hits Live show at Warwick Arts Centre

Another day another theatre visit. This time to Warwick Arts Centre which I’ve not been to for a long time. It was to see Country Hits Live, a live band playing well known country songs across the decades.

While I started line dancing in January, I’ve not really been a huge country music listener over the years. But I’m listening to it more and more, although really the more recent music. But I’d enjoyed a hits from Nashville show last year, so thought this show would also be good to see.

Warwick Arts Centre and parking

Warwick Arts Centre is a nice theatre and easy to find. But with all the building work, one way system, road and access changes on the Warwick University campus site, it’s painful to find the recommended parking.

There’s what seems like clear instructions on the website, but from my direction I was sent to one car park which seemed like miles away. I also didn’t fancy wandering back in the dark not knowing where I was going, to a car park through trees and green spaces.  So I left that car park and drove all the way around until I finally ended up nearer the old places I used to park when I’d come before.  

Now it’s all paid parking even off peak in the evenings and weekend. Only £2, but all cashless. I don’t like the Apcoa app (it’s got terrible reviews), but I could pay on the website without registering (not the easiest to work out which parking you need on a tiny phone screen).  The arts centre do say you can pay at machines once there, but the car park signage is quite threatening that you have to pay on arrival, and I didn’t notice the ticket machine in the arts centre until I was leaving.

There’s a couple of bars at the arts centre, and it’s nice that they open up the theatre on time with 30 minutes to go, unlike some theatres where it ends up being a rush.

The bonus with Warwick Arts Centre is the comfy seats and a really steep rake so no trying to see over heads in front. There are no bad seats in the house.  

Country Hits Live show

I would say that if you’re big on theatre etiquette then this might not necessarily be the show for you. Everyone including the stewards treated it like a gig unlike a similar Nashville show I saw in Oxford. People getting up from their seats throughout to get drinks meaning others having to let them in and out. Latecomers were brought to seats by stewards with a torch in the middle of songs. I found it very bizarre to get my head round in a theatre setting. 

But this is obviously a more casual show where the performers like to get people moving around more like a gig.  Not my type of thing if I’ve bought particular seat tickets.

The show itself was very good.  I really enjoyed it.

The band were just 6 people, 2 singers, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard and drums. 

I loved the casualness of the bass player. I’m always interested to watch the musicians, and it was cool to see the instrument switch between guitars for the rhythm guitarist. The musicians were excellent throughout and Jade Helliwell, the female singer’s voice was great. I felt like the male singer Lars Pluto struggled a bit with his voice as the show went on which was a shame, either a cold or just needed a break. Jade’s a UK country singer, while Lars is direct from Nashville.

There were multiple costume changes from Jade through the show, and one from Lars, although the staging itself was quite simple but worked fine as it was about the band and singers. There were signs up outside warning about strobe lighting, but I didn’t notice any. However there were some people leaving – a pregnant woman and her partner (wonder if her waters broke?), so I don’t know if lighting was impacting people.

The show went through the country classic hits from the early years to the 2000s.

The 1960s included Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.  Although I didn’t recognise a few songs from those earlier years.  

Then onto Dolly Parton. I Will Always Love You was beautifully sung by Jade. The Gambler was a sing along for one of the choruses. The more upbeat Jolene and then Islands in the Stream (which I love!) both had people up dancing at the front. Quite a few people went up dance but I was less keen seeing it as I found it distracting trying to watch the singers.

Although I do now know the line dance to Islands in the Stream from the demo by what looked like a hen do, but presumably was a group of line dancing friends.

There was a break, then the second half was hits from the 90s and 2000s with Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus, Garth Brooks, Luke Combs and Taylor Swift featuring. It was lovely to see a young girl up dancing with her mum and dad to the latter. And bringing in more recognisable songs for the younger ones of us in the audience.

One of my favourite ever songs by Lady A was amazing, and everyone loved Carrie Underwoods Before He Cheats. 

I never knew that Trisha Yearwood released the song How do I Live at the same time as Leann Rimes. I liked how they also inserted snippets about the songs or artists inbetween tracks.

The show ended with a final encore of Country Roads, then a group selfie in front of the audience which was a nice touch at the end. 

Afterwards you could see the singers in the foyer at the merchandise table, where they were selling t shirts, hats and presumably cds as well. But I wanted to head back home. I was so tired after several late nights and early starts this week.

I really loved the show. I was amazed that the 4 people to the right of my seat didn’t come back after the break. Weird to pay for tickets then not stay. Now I’ve got a whole load of songs I need to download and listen to regularly.

Tips to see Country Hits Live 

There’s still quite a few dates left on their UK tour.

If you think you’ll get up and dance if there’s room at the front of the auditorium then choose aisle seats or ones at the front so you’re not interrupting others in your row getting up and down. 

If you’re not getting up to dance then don’t choose the first couple of rows because you might not see much if you’re at stage height and people get up and dance. 

Otherwise, go along, have a great time, and singalong. Thankfully the music is quite loud so I couldn’t hear anyone around singing but I’m sure lots of people were.  Country Hits Live is a show worth going to see if you like listening to a bit of country music.

It made me want to go line dancing!