Post Malone DELIVERED At US Bank 5/20
When you’re in the industry that my colleagues and I are in, you end up at a lot of shows — it’s just part of the nature of what we do. Most of us genuinely love music (I’d like to think all of us do), but here’s the thing: when you go to dozens of shows a year, they can start to feel like case files. You become like a doctor diagnosing strangers — checking for symptoms of greatness, scanning for signs of fatigue, and mentally noting which openers “have potential” like a walking LinkedIn endorsement.
But then you get nights like the one I had the pleasure of experiencing on a Tuesday in May. Nights that make you audibly say “wow” halfway through a verse. Nights that make you smile like a kid on Christmas morning who just unwrapped an Xbox… or (more accurately in this case) - something as glorious as world peace. I walked into US Bank Stadium for Post Malone & Company expecting to be pleased, but blown away? Don’t get me wrong - Posty and his mates are always a great time, but, I left reminded why I follow, study, love and write about music at all. From the venue staff to the crowd to every soul who touched the mic, this night was a masterclass in what happens when performance meets purpose.
Quick Note folks; Joining me for this experience was one of the best photographers I’ve worked with - shout out and THANK YOU to @laura.lee.b. Her work is included here, but check her out!
The night opened with Chandler Walters, who had music I sampled prior that I enjoyed a lot, but for starters - just consider his Insta bio: “Chandler Walters (@chandlerwaltersmusic) is not only a rising star, but also exactly what country music needs. He started playing steel guitar at 18 and now at 22 he has played for @ernest and @postmalone and is now opening for Post on tour. His music is fantastic with heavy Western Swing influence.” A Georgia-bred newcomer who somehow made a 70,000-seat stadium feel like a late-night set at a roadside bar with better lighting. His voice was smoky and honest, his presence unforced, and his pacing intentional. He didn’t try to win the crowd — he just showed up and made us listen. That vibe? Doing that? That my friends is the mark of someone we’ll be hearing from again… and a LOT.
Later in the night, Sierra Ferrell made a surprise appearance that felt like a dream sequence dropped into the middle of a stadium show. She drifted out like a fiddle-playing fever dream — part ghost, part goddess — and cast her spell in just a few short minutes. It was unexpected, haunting, and instantly unforgettable. A West Virginia-born singer-songwriter blending Americana, bluegrass, folk, and gypsy jazz into a sound that’s both haunting and timeless. She has earned four Grammy wins, including Best Americana Album, and her stage presence tells you why she’s worthy almost immediately. Known for her theatrical live shows and spellbinding voice, she’s one of the most captivating genre-bending artists on the rise. Great moments were capped off with the playing of hits like “Dollar Bill Bar” and “American Dreaming” - and even a cover of “Me and Bobby McGee”!
Jelly Roll followed and brought the house down. His presence is massive in every sense of the word, but the biggest thing about him is his heart. He rolled through “Sweet Home Alabama,” dropped a Snoop Dogg classic that turned the place into a stadium-sized cookout, and then leveled the room with “Save Me.” Jelly doesn’t perform — he testifies. The crowd didn’t just cheer — they listened like they knew him. Born Jason DeFord, Jelly is a Grammy-nominated artist from Nashville whose music blends country, rock, and hip-hop, reflecting his journey from incarceration to stardom. His breakout hits like “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” and the deeply personal “Save Me” (which moved me to near-crying when played live last night) showcase his raw storytelling and emotional depth. I honestly had no idea what to expect of Sir Jelly and Roll, but - bluntly, as a bigger guy myself, I just want to say - the only thing bigger than him and his voice on stage is his bleeding authenticity, undeniable heart - and soul-reaching stare as he belts his lyrics and serenades the crowd. We can never forget when the bassist of Jelly’s band had the mic for a glorious moment for us all when he yelled “Go Vikes!”
And then came Post. The sign above the stage read “POSTY CO.” like it was stitched into the stars, and the moment he stepped into the light, the place erupted. One girl behind me literally collapsed. Her words to medical staff? “I’m not missing f*cking Post Malone… I’ll stop drinking!” Honestly, respect. But I? The intellectual, of course, kept drinking - primarily because I was getting prepared to cry tears of joy as I had over 5 times at Post’s show back in 2019.
Post came out with a smile, and a mission: “I’m Austin Richard Post, and I’m here to play some f*cked up and sad songs with you all.” It was a perfectly messy, deeply human intro — and it set the tone for everything to come. He gave us a mix of chaos and catharsis, of crowd-hyping guitar solos and confessions about turning 30 and being in this game for a decade. When he raised his drink and toasted the crowd — “Cheers, mother f*ckers, who’s got a drink tonight?” — it felt like communion in a church where the only religion is raw emotion. He played songs new and old, a perfect balance to honor someone like me who had a very deep and loving past with his art in the past, but it also showcased his new hits and new sound and vibes. Country and stuff at times? Sure, more and more now - but he is Owning it. Killing it. And my favorite part? He is cruising up charts while joining arm-in-arm with amazing established and/or growing Country acts like listed above.
I covered Post back in 2019 and was blown away then, but this show felt different. He’s not just entertaining anymore — he’s evolving. Slowly, surely, and publicly, Post Malone is doing something we rarely see in modern music, or in modern anything: transitioning from persona to person. He’s letting go of the genre that made him famous to chase the sound that keeps him whole. It’s not polished, and that’s the point. Tuesday night wasn’t perfect — it was real. Sounded great - yes. But, most of all? This was a genuine, beuatiful human experience. And in that stadium, surrounded by strangers all feeling the same gut-punches and glory, I was reminded: this is why we go to shows. Not for the spectacle, but for the spark. And when you see it? You just feel lucky to be there.
But we can never truly stop asking whenever a sad-boi jam comes on the setlist…
Who the HELL hurt Post Malone THIS much to make THIS good of music?!
Maybe we need to thank one of his Exes…? That’s all for now. I am still regrouping from it all.
PS. I also want to reiterate - from the staff checking you in, to the 2-3 people who helped me when I continued to get lost finding bathrooms and my seat? THANK you all on the US BANK Stadium team!!!
