Photos & Review: Josie Carletta
Ernest Went to College, Jelly Roll Went to Jail… Indianapolis Went Up in Flames at their Sold Out Country Show
Fans of Jelly Roll from all over the Midwest gathered in the heart of Indianapolis to enjoy a jam-packed night of country music. Gainbridge Fieldhouse seats just over 19,000 people, making it the perfect venue for the Beautifully Broken Tour to make their pitstop in Indy.
To kick the night off, opener Allie Colleen claimed her title as a ‘motherf*cking outlaw’ and got the crowd hyped & on their feet for the rest of the evening.
Although there was a microphone mishap a few minutes into her set, which robbed the crowd of about half of a song, Allie never missed a beat, and the sound was fixed swiftly, quite literally dancing through it like a pro. Her confidence and stage presence are things I can only believe to be the result of growing up as the daughter of renowned country artist Garth Brooks. Her style leans a bit more alt than Garth's, who may typically swing, but I can hear his influence throughout her performance.
Following Allie Colleen, Shaboozey brought his unique blend of country and rap to the stage.
From the stage visuals to song content to the cups in the air throughout the crowd, his image has been solidified as a country fan’s perfect party music. His biggest hit, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," has recently gained traction due to a TikTok trend and was recently Grammy nominated for 2025 Song of the Year. However, his success didn’t end there. Shaboozey also received five other nominations in various categories, which, in my opinion, means it’s time for a big headlining tour of his own.
Aside from his trending hit, fans were also captivated by his "Drink Don’t Need No Mix" performance, originally featuring BigXthaPlug. His vocal ability is strong and consistent, making it easy for the lyrics to be translated even in a crowded and rowdy room.
Ernest takes a slightly more relaxed approach to the stage, matching the vibe of some of his slower, more sentimental songs.
This is the artist I was probably most excited to see, as his song "Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen)" is one of my favorite country songs. The stage at this arena was a large U-shaped platform that I think could have been used to get closer and connect to different parts of the crowd more often. Ernest also has some great, high-energy songs, and I would’ve loved to see him let loose and dance a bit more to those. Nevertheless, the crowd loved his music and joined him in singing his most recent release, Would If I Could, leaving an air of sweetness and sadness lingering. A feeling he captures so beautifully throughout his discography.
As the lights dimmed and it was nearing time for Jelly Roll’s set, small murmurs of excitement were whispered all around me.
A spotlight appeared, and phone flashlights followed as he made his way from the back of the crowd to the B Stage, greeting, hugging, and high-fiving fans on his route. The lights went even lower, notes from "I’m Not Okay" began to play, and a house-shaped structure above the stage set ablaze. A good bit of Jelly Roll’s music touches on his struggles with addiction, incarceration, family trauma, and the overcoming of it all. The symbolism of the burning house above his head was effective and emotional for many of the crowd members. Warmth filled the room as teary-eyed fans sang about facing the same obstacles.
Something I noticed throughout the night was how much of a hopeful voice he is for so many communities of people, whether it be through his music, his attitude, or his story- there is always a light at the end of the tunnel with him; I think that’s refreshing to see in an artist of his caliber. In the light of community, Jelly Roll and Ernest also took the time to make a stop at the Pendleton Correctional Facility before the show to share words of wisdom with the inmates and give them hope for a brighter future. It’s his genuine care for others that is so easy to see even when he’s performing on stage, which is rare to come by in this industry.
A fan’s sign explained a recent loss she had experienced and how meaningful his music was for her; he responded sincerely, “I hope you leave here feeling better; I hope this is therapeutic for you.”
As Jelly Roll played "Somebody Save Me," the crowd grew the loudest I heard it all night. A room of vulnerable people shared the heavier side of their emotions and created an open, honest space for everyone involved. This is something I’ve only seen artists be able to do on a much smaller scale, so it was amazing to feel the energy of 19,000 people collectively healing through music.
Later on during his set, Ernest joined Jelly Roll once again to perform their song "I went to College/I Went to Jail," which is a comedic tune about how two people can live such different lives but still end up in the same place as one another. This duo is fun on stage together; their voices blend beautifully, and there’s most definitely a brotherly love between the Nashville boys. But Jelly Roll still had one more trick up his sleeve, stating he wanted to do something for Indy that wouldn’t be done in any other city. He brought out legendary country rap artist Colt Ford and played a rendition of John Mellencamp’s "Jack & Diane," which really turned into a crowd-wide karaoke session.
The vibes were high as the show ended, with a smile on every face as they exited the venue.
Overall, each opener was a great fit for this specific tour because they all cater to slightly different subgroups of fans, making this a great show for any country lover.
From a stage production standpoint, the transitions between artists were quick and seamless, something I was not expecting at a show this size. Aside from a 2-minute mic mishap at the beginning of the show, everything sounded phenomenal with all vocalists and the bands as well. The large stage could have been utilized more frequently for a more interactive effect, and I think the B stage could have also been used for longer than one song, but this tour was packed with so much talent and passion for country music.
If you have the opportunity to see one of their upcoming shows before the tour ends on November 26th, I highly recommend getting your tickets before they sell out!
