It was a whirlwind night with country music legend Tim McGraw and his “Standing Room Only Tour.” Picture this: a Thursday night extravaganza at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, with more than 9,000 pumped-up fans ready to forget they probably had to be at work in the morning.
It was McGraw’s first stop back in Central Iowa since his 2022 appearance at the Newton Speedway and his first return visit to Wells Fargo Arena since he and his wife, Faith Hill played their “Soul 2 Soul” tour in 2018.
McGraw hit the stage to a raucous roar when he appeared in a black Caitlin Clark #22 Iowa Hawkeye basketball jersey – and the obligatory giant belt buckle.
McGraw is one of those artists who is not one for meandering conversation during a show, as he reminded the crowd: “My name’s Tim, and these are my boys… I had to represent,” he said, pointing to his Clark jersey. “Girl power!” Clark would love the tribute.
“If you’ve been to our shows before, you know I don’t talk a helluva lot,” McGraw quipped. “We just like to play music.”
In just over an hour and a half, McGraw cranked out twenty of his career-spanning songs, burning up the stage with his signature blend of country and rock. From the soul-stirring encore “Live Like You Were Dying” to the irresistible groove of “I Like It, I Love It,” he had the plaid-clad, cowboy boot-sporting, cowboy hat-wearing crowd singing along at the top of their lungs.
But let’s talk about the vibe—McGraw strutted onto the stage, all big belt buckle and tight jeans, ready to throw down. And when the bass-heavy “Truck Yeah” kicked in, the crowd went wild, proving that there’s a little redneck in all of us.
One of the surprise inclusions of the night was a cover of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” McGraw crooned from the end of the guitar neck-shaped catwalk stage, receiving the kinds of screams Elton would have received when he was at the Troubador in 1970 had he sung this same song. McGraw’s performance of “Over and Over,” his collab with rapper Nelly, seamlessly transitioned into a foot-stomping “Shotgun Rider,” which ended with McGraw pointing to the “Faith” tattoo on his left bicep, referencing his wife, Hill. The man knows who is riding shotgun with him from here on out.
If there was any doubt of McGraw’s commitment to Hill, his soulful “Watch the Wind Blow By” is practically a love letter being sung directly to his wife, including shots of her shown on the giant video wall at the back of the stage. Hill attended the show but did her best to keep a low profile while watching her husband from the soundboard near the back of the arena floor.
In addition to his “duet” with Nelly, McGraw also performed his collaboration with Taylor Swift, “Highway Don’t Care” featuring Swift performing her parts on the video wall. Swift’s initial appearance on screen elicited a massive cheer from the crowd. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 18 years since Swift once opened for McGraw and Hill at Wells Fargo Arena.
Opening act Carly Pearce, whose sparkling jacket and infectious energy radiated from the stage, got the night started right. From the cheeky “Next, Girl” to the fiery anthem “Truck on Fire,” Pearce had many in attendance dancing in the aisles if not their own seats.
As the night came to a close with “Live Like You Were Dying,” McGraw bid Des Moines farewell by disappearing into a cloud of smoke, leaving the beer-enhanced crowd craving more. And if the crowd is any indication, they’ll be counting the days until his return.
Tim McGraw Setlist:
Truck Yeah
Southern Voice
All I Want Is a Life
Tiny Dancer (Elton John cover)
Just to See You Smile
Over and Over
Shotgun Rider
One Bad Habit
Watch the Wind Blow By
Something Like That
Where the Green Grass Grows
Standing Room Only
Red Ragtop
Highway Don’t Care
I Like It, I Love It
Felt Good on My Lips
Real Good Man
Encore:
The Cowboy in Me
Humble and Kind
Live Like You Were Dying
