There’s always that one name at Country 2 Country that surprises you and captivates you, that has everybody talking throughout the weekend and more often than not, it’s an artist on one of the smaller stages. This year, that artist was Caitlyn Smith. Of course when she announced her UK return as part of Country Music Week, I had to attend! Smith has got a catalogue of fabulously written songs that others have recorded but her latest album ‘High’ which she self produced was one of the best country albums released this year. Only when you see her live do you appreciate that she is in fact the full package though, I fail to see a vocalist as powerful and as controlled as Smith and her stage presence is endearing as humour creeps in to her stage talk.
Smith took requests on Instagram before she took to the stage in Manchester and admitted that she had to relearn a few of her old songs to please the fans. She opened with ‘High’ a song we first heard from Miley Cyrus back in 2020 but which Smith co-wrote and released her own version earlier this year. It was a powerful and breathtaking way to start the show.
She had the Manchester crowd hanging off her every word, you could hear a pin drop as she told the stories behind each track. She shared her own versions of ‘Like I’m Gonna Lose You’ and ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’ two of her biggest hits that have been cut by other people as well as sharing fan favourites off her latest album including my personal favourite ‘Maybe In Another Life’.
Smith teased that the second part of the album is coming very soon and proceeds to play a song off that upcoming release which went down well with the crowd who met it’s conclusion with sustained applause and cheers so as to get the message of approval to the songwriter.
The Minnesota native is also the voice of new US TV show Monarch as she sings the theme tune, penned by The Love Junkies. Though it is not yet available to watch in the UK much of the crowd knew the song as Smith shared how much she enjoyed getting the chance to act in the series too.
It was a fantastic night! Caitlyn Smith deserves to go far, she is one of the best songwriters of our generation and her voice… well you just can’t argue, it’s flawless!
