Sounds of Summer Fill The Air in ATX

It was late August. Public school classrooms all across Central Texas had just completed their first week of the new school year. The University of Texas tower had once again shown its burnt orange beacon, ushering in a new time of learning. Everyone was beginning to settle into a routine, but we weren't quite ready to call it the end of summer. Not yet. At least, not without attending one more epic event.

And epic is what we were given as country superstar Dierks Bentley brought his Sounds of Summer Tour to the Austin 360 Amphitheater at Circuit of the Americas on Friday, August 28, 2015. Bentley has spent the summer touring North America in support of his seventh studio album, Riser.

Dierks Bentley

Austin fans love a good country music show and they were not disappointed by this one. Dierks Bentley knows how to put on a great show filled with high energy and enthusiasm. And it was evident by this show that he also knows how to pick tourmates. Supporting Bentley on this tour are three of the hottest rising acts in country music: Kip Moore, Maddie and Tae, and Canaan Smith.

Kip Moore

Maddie and Tae

Canaan Smith

First up on the night was Canaan Smith. Canaan's set was a fun start to the night. He performed some of the tracks from his debut album Bronco that was released earlier in the summer including his number one hit, "Love You Like That." Canaan is quickly getting a following and should be around for some time to come.

Canaan Smith

Canaan Smith

Canaan Smith

Next up on the evening were two young ladies who have recently taken the country world by storm, Maddie and Tae. Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye hit the music world with their platinum-selling hit "Girl In A Country Song" just last year. They are excellent musicians and great live performers. Their first studio album, "Start Here" was released on the day of this show.

Taylor Dye of Maddie and Tae

Madison Marlow of Maddie and Tae

Madison Marlow

Taylor Dye

Next up was Kip Moore. Kip is probably best known for his double platinum-selling mega hit "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck" from his first album Up All Night. His second album, Wild Ones, was released on August 21, 2015, and peaked at number 2 on Billboard's Country charts. Kip Moore is not just a singer. He also co-wrote all 13 of the songs on his latest album. In 2014, Kip opened for both Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw on their tours. On this night, Kip's energic set had fans on their feet the entire time and his powerful voice and charming banter proved he is ready for a headlining gig of his own.

Kip Moore

Kip Moore

Kip Moore

Kip Moore

Kip Moore

After these three high-energy acts set the tone for the evening, it was time for Dierks Bentley. Taking this night to a whole new level of excitement, the set started with a "boom," an explosion of light, and a the massive curtain drop. Bentley appeared center-stage on a riser which slowly lowered him to the floor. Then the show really kicked in as Dierks bounded across the stage, his charisma and talent captivating the audience.

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley

Dierks is known for his great rapport with his audiences. He likes to make everyone feel like they are just friends hanging out. To support this feeling, Bentley followed a show tradition by bringing an audience member up on stage to shotgun a beer with him.

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley

Bentley performed songs from Riser and previous albums including fan favorites "I Hold On," "Sounds of Summer," "Riser," "Free and Easy," and "Drunk On A Plane."

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley

The Sounds of Summer tour stop in Austin, Texas was a great way to wind down from the hot summer days and rev-up for all that is yet to come this year.  There are still a few stops left on the tour. Check out Dierk's site for info on where you can still catch a little bit of summer before fall sets in. And check out all of the acts' sites for tour and album information.

Dierks Bentley

Canaan Smith

Maddie And Tae

Kip Moore