An already well-known veteran of the screen (both small and large), Kiefer Sutherland has also become a veteran of the road. Since his first headlining tour to support his debut album Down In A Hole in 2016, Sutherland has made his Grand Ole Opry debut, performed at classic venues like Billy Bob’s Texas, and has been invited to festivals such as CMA Fest and Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Festival, and recently opened for Muse in Riga, Moscow and Helsinki. Currently back in the states on his Reckless & Me Tour, the singer made his return to New York City on Tuesday (6/25) at the iconic Irving Plaza.
The change in Sutherland’s confidence on stage since first seeing him is incredible. That’s not saying that he looked out of place then – it’s quite the opposite – however after years of performing and watching fans come out to the shows and sing along to his original material, he has validation on his decision to pursue this avenue of his career. He plays the guitar with extreme passion, covers every inch of the stage, and shares the background of his stories-turned-into-song, especially those off his sophomore album, and the tour’s namesake, Reckless & Me.
Once a member of the rodeo circuit, Sutherland explained that he worked with a horse named Reckless and how the experience inspired him to write the title track about the equine, until about half-way through the process when he questioned whether he was writing about Reckless or himself. He gave the emotional backstory of writing “Saskatchewan” while on a plane to Toronto after his mother had another stroke, and his fear of losing her. “Open Road” was dedicated to all the truckers out there, and to his own crew who gets everyone to each show stop safe, while “This Is How It’s Done” is an actual account of events that happened when he walked into his first bar ever.
Fans also got to hear some of the favorites off his first album including “Shirley Jean,” a tribute to the outlaw songwriting of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and the rest of the country greats Sutherland grew up, his first single “No Enough Whiskey,” “Can’t Stay Away,” “All She Wrote,” “Down In A Hole,” “Truth In You Eyes,” and the love song “I’ll Do Anything,” which Sutherland revealed was actually inspired by a scene beloved by any rom-com fan: when Mark Darcy tells Bridget Jones that he likes her “just as she is” (cue the romantics in the room to ::swoon::).
Not one to write too many love songs, Sutherland did write one on his new album,”Faded Pair of Blue Jeans.” He made a point to say that it was not a love song for new love, but rather for those who have been together for the long-haul; through the sweat, tears and the work that goes into a relationship and being successful at it.
Another standout about Sutherland is that he makes sure to pay homage to those whose work he admires. Cash, Haggard, Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson through his own work, but also through covers that are very personal to him. He covered Tom Petty’s “Honey Bee,” who he credits as an American icon who never wrote a bad lyric, and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” which reminds him of an innocent time when his dad would take him and his twin sister to school in his Ferrari, while playing Dylan on the car’s 8-track. Sutherland also performed his cover of Patty Loveless’ “Blame It On Your Heart,” which is featured on the new album.
Closing out the night was upbeat, fan-favorite sing-along “Agave,” which was written in response to friends who heckled at his enjoyment of whiskey over tequila.
On screen and definitely on stage, Kiefer Sutherland is one amazing storyteller who gives his fans 100+% every time.
Check out our photo gallery from the Irving Plaza tour stop below:
Reckless & Me is available here.
For more information on Kiefer Sutherland, visit his website at kiefersutherland.net and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.