Weren’t able to join Drayton Farley on his European tour?
Neither was I, but now we can get a glimpse of what those shows may have been like through his brand new Live & Acoustic From Germany record. Just released on Friday, the album was recorded live during an acoustic set at the Die Kantine in Cologne, Germany on May 21, 2024 while Farley was on tour across the pond with 49 Winchester. And with 12 intimate tracks, it really makes the listener feel as if they’re in the room with him.
One of the best parts about hearing an artist’s live recordings is being able to pick up on the rapport they build with the crowd, not only through their music, but through the commentary they provide and the stories they tell. And that’s exactly what makes this live album from Drayton Farley so awesome. Not only are we getting to hear a different version of some of his biggest songs to date, with Farley’s vocal prowess on full display, but the live album also includes plenty of commentary from Farley leading into his songs, making his lyrics mean that much more.
This is particularly evident as Farley takes a couple of minutes to introduce his previously unreleased song “Dreams Come True.” You can listen to the intro below to get the full sentiment, but Farley essentially lets the crowd know that it wasn’t too long ago he was working on an assembly line to make ends meet, while he and his wife were experiencing more than their fair share of hardships trying to start a family, and dreaming that one day he’d be able to support their future family with a music career like he is now.
It’s the backstories like these that make going to concerts so awesome, and a live album like this is about as close as you can get to the real thing without being there in person.
Give Drayton Farley’s Live & Acoustic From Germany a listen here:
“Dreams Come True (Live Intro)”
“Dreams Come True (Live Acoustic)”
“Lucinda (Live Acoustic)”
“Pitchin’ Fits (Live Acoustic)”
When Farley announced this live record at the beginning of January, he also mentioned that there would be “more new music announcing soon. Then some more after that. Then some more after that.” And I don’t take Farley for a liar, so it sounds like the fans are getting exactly want they want from him this year with more new music. And with the trajectory he’s on with his career and the momentum he’s carrying into the year, 2025 could be the year of Drayton Farley.
Farley is yet to announce any headlining tour dates for the year so far, but I am sure that is coming soon with all of the new music he seemingly has planned for this year. In the meantime, there are still a handful of opportunities to see Farley this year in his home state of Alabama and on the road with the legendary Dwight Yoakam.
Check out his tour dates below:
Drayton Farley Tour Dates
4/24 – The Family Arena – Saint Charles, MO*
4/26 – Appalachian Wireless Arena – Pikeville, KY*
4/29 – Mars Music Hall – Huntsville, AL^
5/17 – Helena Amphitheater – Helena, AL+
5/29 – The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL*
6/5 – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park – Indianapolis, IN*
*supporting Dwight Yoakam, The Mavericks
^supporting Wyatt Flores
+w/ John R. Miller, LeAlan Carter