There were country boots for miles at The Blue Note’s last Summerfest concert of the year. 

Growing up in the Dallas area myself, I’ve followed Texas native Parker McCollum from the beginning of his career. I had high hopes when it came to seeing him play live. In terms of his performance, I wasn’t disappointed. Between his twangy ballads and consistent sound, it was one of the better live shows I’ve seen. However, the artist is only one factor of a concert. There are lots of other sites and sounds that can make or break your experience. In terms of my fellow concertgoers, I was a little mystified with them. 

McCollum performed for a sold-out show on Ninth Street Friday, Sept. 3. It was hot and sweaty. 

But, it was worth it.

McCollum’s first EP, “A Red Town View,” released in 2013. From there, he released his first full-length album, “The Limestone Kid,” in 2015. With music critics citing his songwriting as reminiscent of country legend Charlie Robison, it was clear from the beginning that he was a major artist in the making. Though his music is labeled and played on major country music radio stations, his songs have notes of blues, soul and folk-rock. 

Worried about arriving late, my friend and I showed up early. A section of Ninth Street just off The Blue Note’s entrance was blocked off for the concert. With an hour and a half to spare, we decided to make a stop at La Siesta for some chips and salsa with the rest of the concert attendees. Unintentionally, we set ourselves up with an outdoor seating arrangement that allowed for one of my favorite pasttimes: people watching. 

I quickly darted my eyes downward once we found our table. A cousin of mine once said you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear. I spent the remainder of our time outside La Siesta eating salsa and deciding who was “real” country. Coming from Texas, I’ve learned a thing or two about cowboy boots. Let’s just say there weren’t very many authentic country folk out there Friday night. Clean boots with price tag stickers still attached to the back of soles say a lot when you show up to a country concert for the night. 

That’s all I’m saying. 

Around 7:30 p.m., McCollum’s opener, Walker Montgomery, took to the stage to perform a slew of songs I’d never heard. He stayed on for a little less than 30 minutes, and then McCollum came out. Well, that’s what we wish had happened. After Montgomery got off stage at around 7:55 p.m., it took McCollum about an hour to start his set.

No worries though. Greatness takes time, after all. 

McCollum started off his set with “Young Man’s Blues” as I weaved my way in and out of the sweaty, loud and musty crowd. It was a fitting song for my situation two minutes into the concert: a stranger’s half-full beer can spilled down the back of my boots. 

McCollum played a great combination of songs from his past albums and newest album, “Gold Chain Cowboy.” With his signature bright white T-shirt and white flat ball cap, it was hard to miss him when he walked on stage. 

But, miss him I did. 

After he performed his new single “Drinkin,’” a super fan climbed the twig of a branch on the tree in front of me, blocking my view. While I was disappointed I could no longer see, I was more worried about the branch breaking and falling on top of the girls dancing on the picnic tables in front of me. 

As you can see, I was a little distracted.

The concert lasted about an hour. The vocals and guitar sounded just like the album. The light production on stage was dope (are we still using that word?) and the crowd’s engagement with McCollum proved how much of a following he had even out in good ‘ol Columbia. 

However, I left the concert as a hot, sweaty mess, probably inhaling more secondhand smoke than I ever had before, and with two sticky boots from alcohol spillage.

I can’t yet tell if this past year has ruined me in terms of how I view personal space, chivalry and large crowds. If anything, I am very out of practice with large social events. But, I don’t think I was the only one Friday night who felt that way. I’ve never heard the phrase “bro, this is so cool” more than I did that night, hinting that we all hadn’t seen so many people in one area for a long time. 

McCollum finishes his tour at the end of this year. While some of us (or maybe just me) are a little socially awkward these days, it is a great show that you won’t regret attending.

As McCollum puts it, “It’s been a hell of a year.”

Edited by Elise Mulligan | emulligan@themaneater.com