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'Some Days You Gotta Dance'

Sure, there was a cowboy song, and a bluegrass instrumental, but the Dixie Chicks MMXVI concert at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on September 10 was by and large a hard-driving arena rock show that had more in common with Guns N’ Roses than Loretta Lynn.

The serrated version of “Some Days You Gotta Dance” was backed by kaleidoscopic images of the New York City nightscape.

'Long Time Gone'

The Dixie Chicks didn’t allow photos of their first major concert tour in ten years. Frontperson Natalie Maines sported a severe brushed back hairdo, with close cropped temples.  She wore black mini shorts and a jacket with jutting David Bowie-style shoulder pads. Fiddler extraordinaire Martie Maguire wore a black and white striped blouse that, in the context of the home of the Pelicans, was reminiscent of an elegant referee’s shirt. Banjo master Emily Strayer augmented her simple black blouse and pants with a cascading silver necklace.

'The Long Way Around'

Instead of photos of the Dixie Chicks themselves, we've provided photos of their fans. The crowd was predominantly female. Many were probably teens at the turn of the 21st-century when the Dixie Chicks became one of the biggest crossover country and western acts in all the land. Others were obviously newcomers to the Dixie Chicks magic. The concert dress code favored variations on a summer shift and cowboy boot ensemble.

“You guys look fantastic,” Maines said to the audience in general. “I love your hair.”

“The Long Way Around” was the opener.

'Landslide'

The Dixie Chicks cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” was one of the highlights of the show.

Maines, 41, said that at this juncture of life, the lyric “Even children get older, and I'm getting older too,” has special meaning to the Chicks who have nine kids between them.

Did anyone catch the name of the passionate singer who joined the Dixie Chicks on the song?

'Nothing Compares 2 U'

With a background of falling purple rain, the Dixie Chicks summoned a soulful version of the Prince classic, made especially aching by a soaring steel guitar solo by Strayer.

'Daddy Lessons'

During the acoustic part of the concert, the Dixie Chicks, accompanied by their fiery five-piece backing band, pounded out a genre-bending, country rock version of the Beyonce song.

'Not Ready To Make Nice'

Ever since John Lennon compared the popularity of the Beatles to Jesus, rock stars have regularly startled fans with their unguarded views. The Texas-based Dixie Chicks entered the fray in 2003, when Maines famously declared that the group opposed the Iraq War and were ashamed that President George W. Bush was from their home state.  The statement cost the Dixie Chicks dearly among their traditionally patriotic country music fans. Yet the trio hasn’t much mellowed, politically speaking. Read on …

'Ready To Run'

During the Dixie Chicks' romping “Ready to Run,” the stage’s enormous video backdrop exploded with a digital collage of all the 2016 presidential candidates -- Republican and Democrat -- depicted as cavorting clowns. To add to the comical criticism, the arena became a blizzard of red white and blue confetti. Time and again in the show, there seemed to be current of political outrage not far below the surface of the performance.

'Goodbye Earl'

As vintage mug shots flashed on the big screen behind them, the Dixie Chicks roared through a rendition of Goodbye Earl, the tale of an abusive husband who is mysteriously poisoned by a serving of black-eyed peas. Throughout the night, the Dixie Chicks' backing band provided the thundering bass, drums and guitar necessary for the trio to deliver the emotional and political punches.

'Don't Let Me Die In Florida'

Songwriter Patty Griffin’s plea took on a particular edge with the mass killings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in June. During the introduction, Maines seemed to address the tenseness of performing the song in the aftermath of the shootings.

“When you hear this song,” she said, you’ll realize how courageous it was of us … or stupid.”

Read Nick Murray's story "Dixie Chicks Address 'Hatred' at Thrilling New York Show" on the Rolling Stone magazine website.

'Better Way'

Ben Harper’s “Better Way” was the final encore of the triumphant 20-song set. Maines called attention to an enormous rainbow heart in the background.

Were you there?

What did you think? What was your favorite song? Is this review on point or off base? Please add your comments to the stream below.