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Friday's opening of The Fillmore Charlotte didn't rely on a high-profile major label act like hit makers the Fray, who opened the venue's neighboring Outdoor Amphitheatre last week.
Instead the city's largest indoor concert venue smartly went with independent Georgia acoustic rocker Corey Smith, who boasts a devoted grass-roots following with college-age, drinking crowds – two demographics the concert hall needs to attract.
Smith's balance of fist-raising country and rock party anthems and nostalgic, true-to-life lyrics attracted students home from colleges in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee as well as those from local schools like Queens and Winthrop.
Opener Shane Hines, a bald acoustic rocker leading a drums, bass and guitar trio, just like Smith, won the crowd over with his affable self-deprecating demeanor, thanking them for cheering for songs they didn't know. Unknown artists trying to woo a crowd could learn something from his approach.
The seriousness of Smith's leaving-home anthem, “It's Over,” didn't have the same effect as it silenced chants of “Corey!” The song kicked off a set big on singalongs like “Party,” “Drinkin' Again” and “Twenty-one.” At times Smith sang funny, Southern-fried country rock like an indie version of Brad Paisley without the boots or hat. His funnier, more country-oriented tunes are certainly commercial enough for radio. Other times he treaded the acoustic pop territory of a Jason Mraz or John Mayer, briefly flirting with bluesy electric guitar licks on “Skin of My Teeth.”
Unlike those artists, Smith's lyrics get downright racy. That's part of his charm. The R-rated “Let Me Love You on a Backroad” (about the pastime of parking) was among the crowd's favorites.
The sound was clear, although not necessarily warm. Four bars could've used a few extra bartenders given the length of the lines. There are no bar stools or chairs unless you spring for the VIP area, which has its own bar and bathroom. The venue is beautiful, though, with hardwood floors that beg for dancing, different levels to aid your view, delicate chandeliers, attractive restrooms with ornately framed mirrors, and a roomy stage with plenty of high-tech lighting. Flat-screen TVs run ads for LiveNation, which owns and books The Fillmore. News or sports would be a plus.
Like the Outdoor Amphitheatre, it's reminiscent of large Atlanta venues. The size and amenities, while difficult for local mom-and-pop venues to compete with, may draw acts that regularly play Atlanta or D.C. The venue's summer lineup includes expected proven Charlotte draws such as Smith, the Black Crowes, Counting Crows, Edwin McCain and Gov't Mule. Recent announcements of the B52's, Queensryche and Motorhead suggest the venue may attract more variety and artists who don't normally play Charlotte.
