Kelsea Ballerini Shines in Milwaukee on First Arena Headlining Tour

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Country music star Kelsea Ballerini brought her first arena-level headlining tour to Fiserv Forum on Saturday night, delivering a high-energy performance that showcased her growing star power. The show, part of her “big girl arena tour,” marked a milestone in her career as she continues to rise in the music industry.

Ballerini, fresh off the success of her latest album “Patterns,” captivated a near-capacity crowd of over 10,000 fans. The concert was the fourth stop on her tour, and the singer expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support. “I played The Rave, and there were 3,500 people at that show,” Ballerini said early in her set. “Tonight, I am so proud to say that there are over three times that number here.”

The night kicked off with Shania Twain‘s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” playing over the speakers, setting the tone for a night of celebration. Ballerini opened with the title track from “Patterns,” and the setlist heavily featured new material, with two-thirds of the album making an appearance. Her confidence on stage was palpable, and her interactions with the audience were both personal and heartfelt.

Throughout the show, Ballerini engaged with fans in memorable ways, including taking a selfie with a fan’s phone and accepting a scrapbook from another. She even playfully helped a fan decide on a tattoo design, eventually settling on “Love love.” Her charm and relatability were on full display, endearing her even more to the crowd.

From a production standpoint, the concert was a spectacle. Ballerini frequently performed on elevated platforms, and a large screen dropped down at key moments to enhance the visuals. She also utilized a stage trapdoor for quick costume changes, adding a dynamic element to the performance. Highlights included a chair dance during “We Broke Up” and a glowing orb display during “Two Things.”

The second half of the show saw Ballerini slow things down with acoustic performances, including a rare rendition of “Homecoming Queen” and a stripped-down version of her collaboration with Noah Kahan, “Cowboys Cry Too.” The emotional moments were balanced by high-energy hits like “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too),” which had the crowd singing along at full volume.

Ballerini closed the main set with “How Do I Do This,” but returned for an encore that included “Penthouse.” The night wasn’t without a minor hiccup, as Ballerini briefly mixed up Milwaukee with Minneapolis during her farewell. However, the crowd laughed it off, and the moment only added to the show’s charm.

With her current role as a judge on “The Voice” and the success of her latest album, Ballerini’s career shows no signs of slowing down. Saturday’s performance in Milwaukee solidified her status as a rising star in country music, and her first arena tour is likely just the beginning of a long and successful journey.