Erin Kinsey Brings Nashville Energy to Cologne’s Freideck
Erin Kinsey has established herself as one of the most exciting young voices in modern country music, and her return to Cologne proved exactly why.
A year after her standout appearance at the 2025 Sound of Nashville Open Air festival, Kinsey was back at Die Kantine’s Freideck. The outdoor setting seems almost made for her kind of country-pop. With its relaxed beer-garden atmosphere and industrial surroundings, there is very little distance between the stage and the audience. On a beautiful summer evening, the Freideck turned into a lively little country celebration, with Kinsey feeding off the crowd and the crowd responding to every song.
Backed by a drummer and two guitarists, with the bass coming from backing tracks, Kinsey sounded particularly strong live. You can hear the Texas roots in her voice, which has plenty of power and character, but she also has the polished, melodic style that fits perfectly with modern country radio. The guitars and drums give the songs enough punch without taking anything away from her vocals.
Her newer songs, including “Texas Tonight” and “House Arrest” from her fresh released album Suede, fit comfortably alongside fan favourites such as “I Ain’t Crazy,” “Trouble,” “Tabs,” “Best of My 20’s,” and, of course, “Just Drive.” Her breakout hit, which has collected tens of millions of streams, was one of the obvious highlights of the night. Still, some of the quieter moments worked just as well, especially when she stripped things back and let the songs speak for themselves.
What stood out most was how comfortable Kinsey seemed on stage. She wasn’t trying too hard to impress anyone. She simply looked like she was having a great time playing country music, and that feeling quickly spread through the audience.
Erin Kinsey doesn’t just bring country music to Cologne. She brings a little bit of Texas and Nashville with her—and on a summer night at Die Kantine, it feels right at home.
With Tyler Rich as the Nashville-flavored support act, the evening gets off to a great start and also shows just how far contemporary country music has traveled beyond the U.S.
Rich comes on stage with a big smile and an easygoing, upbeat energy that immediately connects with the audience. His acoustic set feels relaxed and personal rather than overly polished. Songs like “Whiskey Go Bad,” “Hello California,” “Better Than You’re Used To,” “Leave Her Wild,” and “The Difference” give the crowd plenty to enjoy, while his version of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” turns into an easy singalong moment.
What really makes his performance work, though, is the interaction with the audience. Rich regularly stops for a moment to talk, tell stories, and explain where some of his songs came from. It feels less like watching a support act and more like spending an evening with a songwriter who happens to be on stage.
There is nothing complicated about his approach, and that is probably its biggest strength. Good songs, a guitar, a few stories, plenty of smiles, and a genuine connection with the crowd. Tyler Rich does exactly what a great opening act should do—he wins over the room and leaves the audience ready for the main event.
Photos and review for : CountryMusicNews.de
