Following a star-studded 60th annual Academy of Country Music awards in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 8 – at which Jelly Roll was up for three trophies while Post Malone was competing in four categories – the pair got back to business on their Big Ass Stadium tour with a stop in Arlington, Texas’s AT&T Stadium, just outside of Dallas. But, most importantly, the stop was just a 20-minute drive south from Post’s hometown of Grapevine (where, as a young kid, he and his family moved to from Syracuse).
And while Posty’s love for his hometown runs deep, his love for the Dallas Cowboys runs deeper. Post even welcomed his dad onstage, telling the crowd how he worked at the Cowboys’ current and former stadium for a total of 14 years. To which Post’s dad said: “Let’s go Cowboys!”
Following a rousing opening set from Sierra Ferrell, it was Jelly Roll’s turn to warm up the sold-out stadium. “Y’all, get ready for your hometown hero,” Jelly repeated throughout his own set, hyping up his pal Posty throughout his hour-long performance.
By the time Post took the stage, emotions were already running high. He took a moment to tell the crowd he’ll be 30 this July, and that the milestone birthday has had him feeling reflective of late. “I’m the most grateful mother f—er on the face of this planet,” he said, speaking of his decade-long career. “You have given me the strength to keep going.”
He later said that though this was only the fourth show on his Big Ass Stadium Tour, “so far this has been the most beautiful experience of my life, ladies and gentlemen.” And for many in the crowd, the same was surely true for them. During “Goodbyes,” one fan even offered Posty a bouquet of flowers, which he happily reached for and cradled as he walked down the stage.
“I’m having the fucking time of my life,” he said, with a Texas-sized grin. “Seriously.”
Below are the best moments from his hometown show.
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Sierra Ferrell’s Very Special Guest
Americana star Sierra Ferrell made the most of her short opening set by playing her stellar cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me & Bobby McGee” — but that wasn’t her only cover. She brought out Joe Jonas, who was in a fully embellished black suit reminiscent of a Nudie or Manuel design complete with cowboy hat, for a gorgeous, sweet cover of Shania Twain’s “Still the One” that had the crowd singing along (Ferrell is also featured on Jonas’s new album, Music For People Who Believe in Love, out May 25). Ferrell concluded her set with a fiery, fiddle-laden version of “Fox Hunt,” one of the exhilarating tracks from her acclaimed Trail of Flowers album.
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Jelly Roll’s Energizer Bunny Presence
Right at 7:30 p.m., Jelly came on stage — and he came on hot. From the opening notes of “Heart of Stone” he was up to speed and it wasn’t just him. Every member of his 11-piece band was as energetic as Jelly Roll, from Porkchop the drummer to his three backup singers who sounded like a 100-person choir. Through his hour set, the pace never flagged and Jelly’s band was in constant motion as he gave each one a star turn. This was the fourth time he has played AT&T Stadium, but he still thanked anyone who wasn’t familiar with him for “giving my fat, white trash ass a chance.” When he wasn’t thanking the audience in a gracious display of humility, he was serving as the best possible hype-man for Post Malone, calling him the biggest act in the world.
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Bunnie XO’s Cameo
Even before she appeared, Jelly Roll telegraphed his wife Bunnie XO’s appearance. Playing on a set that resembled an abandoned auto parts store, the sign over the entrance changed to Bunnie’s XO in fluorescent pink, as he launched into “Wild Ones” (sadly, with no appearance from Jessie Murph). “My wife was born in Texas, and she was not going to miss AT&T Stadium,” declared Jelly before bringing out Bunnie for a sweet kiss as the audience roared its approval. “The best decision I ever made in my life was marrying my best friend.” No debate there.
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Jelly Turning AT&T Stadium into a Tent Revival
As anyone who has listened to his music knows, Jelly Roll is on a mission to save souls one musical note at a time. That was evident throughout his set, but especially on the songs that explore the seemingly insurmountable chasm between Heaven and Hell, such as “Son of a Sinner (his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart) and set closer “Save Me,” where he conjured up the song’s aching pain as if the wound were still raw. More than anything, for his entire set it was clear that he wanted every member of the 70,000 or so audience to feel seen and, even if was only for that hour, to feel less alone. As he sings in one of his most recent hits, “I’m not okay/but it’s all gonna be alright.” Despite tackling such tough subjects as addiction, depression and feeling unworthy in his music, on stage Jelly is pure, unadulterated joy.
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The Dallas Cowboys Pride
While Jelly Roll’s backing vocalists wore Cowboys apparel (though only one, Peach, is from Texas), Post’s band fittingly went all out with every single member wearing a Cowboys jersey. Post himself decided to represent for number 17, Brandon Aubrey, who joined the team in 2023. But a jersey alone wasn’t enough; Post was also rocking Dallas Cowboys in-ears.
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Post’s Extended, Emotional Intro
For nearly five minutes, Post allowed himself to fully feel, or at least try to, the magnitude of the moment. After performing “Wow.” it seemed he himself was stunned by his current reality. “Hold on, can we cut the music real quick?” asked Post after thanking the crowd. “I didn’t have enough time to say what I wanted to say, ladies and gentleman.” But after asking the sold-out stadium how they were feeling, he appeared at a loss for words, even becoming a bit teary-eyed as his fans chanted “Posty.” After a few minutes of taking it in, he said how good it felt “to be back home” before once again thanking “each and every one of y’all for coming out tonight… holy f–k, we’re playing AT&T Stadium!”
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Jelly’s Change of Fandom
Of course, Jelly Roll returned to the stage after his own set to accompany Post on their F-1 Trillion collaboration “Losers.” The two friends couldn’t help but giggle together on stage, with Post later revealing that Jelly made fun of his jersey when he first came out: “Jelly came out and pointed at my jersey and said, “This one i for the losers.” But by the end of the song, something shifted for Jelly, as he declared: ““You know what? F–k it, I’m a cowboys fan!”
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A Special Live Debut
“I know for a fact I’m going to f–k this up, because I’ve never sang this song live,” teased Post, as the crowd immediately perked up in anticipation. “There’s a beautiful mustached man by the name of Morgan Wallen…” Posty continued, as the crowd went wild, wondering if Wallen might be making an appearance. “We made this song together a long time ago,” Post said of the pair’s recently-released second collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back.” Post handled both parts like a pro, and after nailing reminded fans, “I’ve never sang that song in my f—ing life.”
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Post’s Acoustic Moment
“AT&T Stadium, can I play some f—ing guitar for y’all tonight?” asked Post. The answer was a clear (and loud), “yes.” While standing along at the end of the stage’s runway with just an acoustic guitar (plus a cigarette and an ever-present solo cup), Post performed one his most beautifully-written tracks to date, “Feeling Whitney.” Despite a brief tuning delay, the intimate moment was worth the wait and Post took his time with the song and ended with a sing-along on the chorus of “oohs.” He then welcomed “one of the best vocalists” back to the stage, opener Sierra Ferrell, to perform their F-1 duet, “Never Love You Again.”
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The “White Iverson” Appreciation
Once Post started teasing his debut hit “White Iverson,” the stadium’s intensity increased. “Some would argue this is my only good song,” he said – highlighting the unspoken irony that his country set – and a near decade of hits beyond his first – is what bumped him into sold-out stadium territory.
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Post’s Inspirational Ending
“I grew up not too far from here and I remember I moved to L.A. and I told myself that one of these mother f—ing days I’m gonna be a singer and I’m gonna play AT&T Stadium, ladies and gentleman… and it’s thanks to all you that it’s happening right now,” said Post, feeling once again emotional and reflective on the series of moments that brought him to tonight. While standing above the crowd in an air-lifted stage – the closing gimmick of the tour – he then turned the attention to everyone in attendance. Telling them that they gave him the “hope and courage” to chase his dreams, and making clear all he wants is to now give that same gift back.
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