Hunter Hayes brings country back to HPU’s Spring Concert
Hayes hit a high note with HPU students as he performed on the Roberts Hall lawn. Photo by highpoint.edu
By Liz Reichart// A&E Editor
You may have needed a pair of rain boots and a poncho, but Hunter Hayes didn’t let precipitation stop him from hitting a high note on April 22.
Despite the intermittent downpour, the country music star rocked the front lawn of Roberts Hall for High Point University’s 2017 Spring Concert. Hayes played hits like “Wanted,” “Storm Warning,” “21” and “Invisible.” Fans were treated to a mix of new and old songs alike, ranging from his debut in 2011 to the album he dropped just two years ago, entitled “21.”
Hayes is a 25-year-old from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and is an accomplished singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. In fact, he can play more than 30 instruments. Hayes released his self-titled debut in 2011, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 and No. 1 on the Top Country Albums. The most successful single from the album, entitled “Wanted,” has sold over 3.5 million copies, making Hayes the youngest male performer to ever top the Billboard Hot Country Songs.
His second album, “Storyline,” was released in May 2014 and prompted Billboard to call Hayes “the leader of country music’s youth revolution.” Nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Hayes’ meteoric rise didn’t stop there. He also won the Country Music Association Award for Best New Artist in 2012. In addition to going on his own nationwide tours, Hayes has opened for powerhouses like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and Reba McEntire.
“I’m not even a big country music fan, but I enjoyed the concert,” said freshman Mikayla Johnson. “He was so nice to the crowd, too. You could tell [Hayes] really wanted to be there.”
Senior Lexie Williams was one of the lucky fans who got to meet Hayes in person before his 9 p.m. set.
“Hunter Hayes is a talker and was so sweet,” Williams said. “He took the time get ask everyone’s name and signed all of our passes, too. Best celeb I’ve met.”
It appears Hayes rocked the lawn, impressing country skeptics and diehards alike, thus putting another successful HPU Spring Concert in the books.