Kacey Musgraves storms The Academy

The last time Kacey Musgraves played The Academy it was half-full. Tonight, as she so eloquently puts it, it’s “sold the fuck out.”
It’s also one of the most diverse audiences you’re going to see this or any other year, with adoring fan girls down the front; stray, somewhat guilty-looking indie types at the bar; stetson-wearers who a few weeks back would have been glued to the Late Late Show’s alleged ‘country’ special and a large LGBT contingent attracted by her resolute support for same sex marriage and kissing who the hell you want to, preferably whilst high.
The Texan’s probably played upwards of 200 gigs since last in Dublin 1 and it shows, with her Rhinestone Review a super-slick affair that explains why, despite the non-conformity in the lyrical department, she’s such a Nashville hot property.
Opening with the double-whammy of ‘Pageant Material’ and ‘Biscuits’, there’s nary a bum note or miscue all night.
What stops it descending into showbiz schmaltz is the quality and prickliness of the songwriting - ‘Dime Store Girl’s referencing of Willie Nelson and Gram Parsons speaks volumes - and Musgraves’ playful personality.
“I love the way you guys say ‘turd’ instead of ‘third’,” she giggles half-way through in a matey back-and-forth with the crowd.
The 27-year-old is confident enough to perform her biggest hit ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ acoustically with the last verse sung by the 800-strong Academy choir who also make their presence felt on a neat cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’.
There’s time for a celebratory ‘Follow Your Arrow’ before Musgraves switches footwear for her traditional, neon flashing stomp through Ms. Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Were Made For Walking’.
It all adds up to a sneaky, late bid for ‘Gig of the Year’.
STUART CLARK