Live Report: Kacey Musgraves digs deep for an emotional debut at 3Olympia

“If I’m gonna go down in flames, it better be for something I really fucking believe in,” said American country singer Kacey Musgraves on the opening night of her Deeper Well World Tour. A mantra that lies at the heart of her decades-long career, Musgraves’ all-or-nothing complex has been the fire beneath her exceedingly baffling yet undeniably captivating decisions; from convincing Mercury Nashville to release a depressing, small town slam as her international debut, to performing live on SNL wearing nothing but her guitar strap and cowboy boots, the Texas starlet is never afraid to ruffle some feathers.

A sex-positive, LGBTQ-inclusive, pot-loving icon, Musgraves has built a name for herself over the years as country music’s rebellious daughter, candidly discussing her use of LSD and psilocybin mushrooms during the creative stages of sister albums Golden Hour and Star-Crossed. While Musgraves’ tree-hugging drug habits have done their part in carving out her niche audience, a new-found maturity has taken over the artist’s musical persona as she puts down the homemade gravity bong for Deeper Well.

Resplendent with her chocolate-brown locks, glittery A-line skirt and pair of white hair-bows, the 35-year old singer was the picture of serene beauty as she traversed the stage, delivering a 90-minute show that was equal parts vulnerable, quirky, melancholic and jubilant.

The night started off with a quick one-two of album highlights ‘Cardinal’, an ode to Musgraves’ late friend and mentor John Prine, and title track ‘Deeper Well’, featuring the crowd-favourite farewell to the wake-and-bake lifestyle of her 20’s.

“I specifically really wanted to kick off the tour here tonight,” Musgraves said as she examined the theatre’s rich, floor-to-ceiling decor. “It’s the most special place, in this beautiful old building…This moment will never happen ever again. We’re alive together right now, and this is the only moment like this, right here, that will ever exist, so let’s enjoy it.”

Kacey Musgraves Live at 3 Olympia Theatre Dublin by Jason Doherty

After regaling the audience of her Mercury in retrograde-induced woes, including a comically tragic bike accident in the hills of Inis Oírr, Musgraves brought back a Golden Hour classic with ‘Butterflies’, a lighthearted catalogue classic from 2018 that sent a girlish shockwave through the venue as the crowd’s romantics took centre stage.

Taking on a new formation downstage, Musgraves took a seat with her guitar as her bandmates arched behind her for an acoustic rendition of ‘Follow Your Arrow’, a career-defining self-love anthem that was eagerly embraced by the LGBTQ community for its iconic chorus “Kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into.”

Following ponderous track ‘The Architect’, which questions the presence of a universal higher power, the crowd roared as Musgraves invited on stage a local Uillean piper player for the waltzing intro of ‘Heaven Is’, a Celtic-inspired folk track that weaves together late-night thoughts of humanity and love.

Kacey Musgraves Live at 3 Olympia Theatre Dublin by Jason Doherty

A simulated rainstorm, complete with ground-quaking thunder claps and strobes of lighting, ushered in one of the night’s highlights, ‘Rainbow’, another Golden Hour favourite that was initially adopted by the LGBTQ community before becoming an anthem of hope during the covid-19 pandemic. Alone on stage, Musgraves delivered the simple yet powerful message atop a backdrop of soft piano, singing, “Hold tight to your umbrella, well darlin’ I’m just trying to tell ya, that there’s always been a rainbow hanging over your head.”

“Tell me Dublin,” Musgraves cooed as her band trooped back onstage, “does anything about me remind me of your daddy in his 88 Ford?” The immediate spike of energy was palpable as the room was filled with the iconic melody of Musgraves’ devastating duet with fellow country star Zach Bryan, ‘I Remember Everything’. While Bryan’s shoes are nearly impossible to fill, Musgraves held her own as she led 3Olympia in a gut wrenching sing-along of heartbreak and lost love.

Rounding out the night was a series of throw-back bangers from the Texas star’s early years on the scene, starting off with the modern-day country-disco jam ‘High Horse’ before spiraling back down into the depths of heartache.

Her breakthrough hit, 2012’s aforementioned ‘Merry Go Round’ is a poignant snapshot of small-town monotony: “Mama’s hooked on Mary Kay, brother’s hooked on Mary Jane, daddy’s hooked on Mary two doors down.” A salute to her day-one fans, the song marked the beginning of Musgraves’ rise to fame back in the early stages of her career.

Finally, the night came to a close with 2018’s hit ‘Slow Burn’ and a country-toned cover of Bob Marley’s reggae classic ‘Three Little Birds’, originally recorded for the soundtrack of the February biopic Bob Marley: One Love.

“I fucking love Dublin so much,” Musgraves said before leaving the stage. “I feel so loved and supported by everyone here.” With the first night of her international tour safely marked a success, one thing is for certain: Musgraves’ Saturn truly has returned, and it's bigger and brighter than ever before.