Kacey Musgraves performs in the Mojave tent during day two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Credit: Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram via TNS.

Kacey Musgraves took Columbus fans on a mind-altering journey, delivering a theatrical performance that tested the boundaries of traditional country music while exploring themes of loneliness and personal growth.

“Middle of Nowhere,” released on May 1, is Musgraves’ seventh studio album. Inspired by a period of time spent at her Texas home following a breakup, the album focuses on her personal journey of reconnecting with herself in peaceful moments of solitude.?

Musgraves was joined Wednesday at The Schottenstein Center by Midland, a Texas-native trio, known for their hit song “Drinkin’ Problem.” Midland primed the crowd perfectly, as lead singer Mark Wystrach commanded the audience through smooth vocals and a bold stage presence.?

Wystrach had an effortless nature to the way he moved through the set and interacted with the audience.?

At exactly 9 p.m., “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC rang through the arena as a five-minute countdown appeared on the screen. As the audience peaked with excitement, Musgraves began the night with “Everybody Wants To Be A Cowboy (feat. Billy Strings),” the first of twenty tracks included in the evening’s setlist.

The production featured two platforms on which Musgraves performed — a circular stage in the center of the arena floor and an elevated barn-structure glowing beneath a bright sign that read “Middle of Nowhere.”?

Musgraves stood amidst the dimly lit barn before making her way down to center stage. On her way, she high-fived fans along the barricade and offered them smiles — the first of many interactions she would engage in with fans throughout the night.?

Musgraves emphasized the talent of her band members and prioritized live instrumentation throughout her set — a rarity in modern pop music. During “High Horse,” she playfully moved around the stage with her accordion player as if they were tangoing throughout the star-shaped platform resting atop the stage.?

The high-energy atmosphere shifted to a more reflective one as Musgraves slowed the pace with “Butterflies.” Her face, illuminated in shades of pink, purple and blue, beamed as fans turned on their phone flashlights and swayed to the music.?

The performance created an intimate connection across the venue, uniting fans with Musgraves and one another.

After her final guitar strum of “Butterflies,” Musgraves tossed her guitar pick to a young girl in the crowd, urging nearby fans to help her catch it. Her care for her fans was admirable, and became a recurring theme throughout her performance.?

Musgraves’ empowering presence was unwavering and dominated the stage throughout the night. Utilizing a revolving outer ring on her circular platform, she moved around continuously to connect with audience members on all sides.

One of the show’s most heartfelt moments came when she got personal with the audience prior to performing “Loneliest Girl.”

“A lot of these songs came out of this place of solitude, but it was nice to reclaim my power back into that solitude and not be like ‘Oh I need someone to be happy,” Musgraves said. “This one in particular is just about the notion that you can be totally alone and that it doesn’t mean that you’re actually lonely, and that’s nice.”

“Loneliest Girl” stood out as an anthem for the young women in the crowd, as they loudly cheered on Musgraves. In an industry frequently dominated by themes of male validation, she offered a refreshing counter-narrative, pushing the idea that peace and fulfillment can be found by yourself.?

Pivotting from the heartfelt themes, Musgraves injected a more risqué energy into the arena. Nodding to her viral stage prop, she laughed as said she was having a “ball,” if not two.

As two disco “balls” descended from the ceiling, Musgraves casually sat and performed “Rhinestoned” while rotating above the crowd. The stunt managed to feel both humorously playful and effortlessly empowering.?

Musgraves crossed a threshold that few female country artists have braved throughout her performance, as she embedded dominant feminism into the country genre. Through this, she found a creative way to bring sensuality into her performance, while also maintaining a lighthearted vibe.

Nearing the end of her set, Musgraves delivered a chilling rendition of “Slow Burn,” which the crowd shouted along to. Surrounded by bursts of flames shooting from the stage, she leaned into the sing-along aspect of the song, creating a striking moment of unity.

Concluding her setlist with a cover of “All My Exes Live in Texas” by George Strait, Musgraves left fans energized as she dropped a Texas flag, introduced her band members and danced around the stage to close out the show.?

Despite her powerful ending, Musgraves did not return to the stage for an encore, neglecting to play her career-launching hit, “Rainbow.” Though an incredible show, it wasn’t hard to notice the disappointment of many fans who connect with the song’s lyrics, and expected it to be incorporated into the rotation.?

Musgraves produced a fulfilling and memorable performance, as her personal anecdotes and engagement with the crowd was meaningful in a way that many artists fall short of.?

Rating: 4/5