Of all the country stars that could have won the honor of opening up for Keith Urban on his upcoming tour, Kelsea Ballerini took ‘Dibs’ for the support spot.
After careful consideration of the competition out there in the genre, Urban gladly settled on the idea of Ballerini as the first look of what people see during his shows. He came to the final decision after realizing that his next chapter in his career doesn’t mimic the traditional country sounds just as Ballerini tends to experiment with on her albums as well.
“There were a mix of people that were interested, available, but musical compatibility was one thing,” Urban explained to People. “I knew the kind of record I was making wasn’t pure country down the line, and Kelsea’s records [aren’t either]. They’re a fusion of things and I felt that she would be compatible.”
Urban’s fans shouldn’t expect what they’ve always seen, though—the singer wants to incorporate some new specialties into his set and highlight show-stopping performances in their own light.
“I’m always looking for new ways to connect with the audience, new things to put in the set list and in the show — not just songs, but moments that we haven’t done before,” Urban said.
The Graffiti U Tour kicks off the summer with its first show in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 15. More information about the tour is available on Urban’s website.
