Flatland Cavalry made their return to the legendary John T. Floore’s Country Store for not one but two nights, this time around. I first saw them last year at this same venue and it was even clear then that they’re one of the best bands bringing that Americana style to modern country music.
I was there for the first night, where Kaitlin Butts was the main opener, following Angel White. This was my first time seeing her solo and her vocals were absolutely amazing. She’s a natural storyteller on stage, allowing her charm and personality to shine through. I loved “You Ain’t Gotta Die (to Be Dead to Me)” and hearing a countrified spin on “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World was a really fun surprise. Her touring with Flatland and her husband Cleto Cordero gives the whole tour a warm and personal vibe.
Flatland Cavalry carried that same vibe into their headline set, opening with one of my favorites, “Sleepin’ Alone.” They had a much more low-key intro than I expected, with subdued lighting, a spotlight shining brightly on Cleto and his guitar, and the comforting sounds he provided, with this intimate approach far from the usual rowdy country show opener I’ve been accustomed to seeing.
The synergy between the band members was undeniable; the way they fully create a rich, multilayered sound with the piano, the drums, the guitar leads, the bass, Cleto’s vocals, and that classic country touch the fiddle brings. Each of these musicians had a moment to shine, and you can just feel the passion and heart come out of every instrument being played on stage.
For their performance to be close to an hour and a half, it moved very well. They had a memorable cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” another cover of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” that had the crowd going with everyone dancing on stage, and a duet of “Life Where We Work Out” where Kaitlin came back out to sing with Cleto. I got to see the two of them do the same at last year’s show and this time was still an amazing moment with how magical their vocal chemistry is.
Chemistry is really the key characteristic of why this band is as good as they are. They’re one of the most deserving bands in the country scene to headline two nights at Floore’s and I was just so happy to be there to witness them tear up that stage in Helotes once again.
