LAUREN ALAINA

Friday, February 6,  2026

@ United Center in Chicago, IL

(Review Written By: Dave Pierce)

Lauren Alaina’s entrance at the United Center was as radiant as the Chicago skyline—her infectious smile and charm immediately captivated the crowd. “Are you feeling it tonight, Chicago?” she called out, setting the tone for a night of celebration and heartfelt country music. Opening with “Thicc As Thieves/Here for the Party,” Lauren wasted no time inviting the audience to let loose: “Who came to party with us in Chicago tonight? How my ladies doing tonight?” she cheered, making everyone feel included and ready for fun.

Her set flowed seamlessly into “Doin’ Fine,” and Lauren paused to thank the audience for their energy and Chris Lane for his opening performance. With genuine excitement, she expressed her gratitude for sharing the stage with Rascal Flatts, revealing her own superfan status and recalling a previous tour when she was eight and a half months pregnant. This humorous anecdote had the crowd laughing, and Lauren’s warm southern storytelling made her feel like a friend rather than a distant star.

Lauren kept the momentum going with “Getting Good,” then urged everyone to stand up and sing along to “All My Exes,” which had just cracked the top 40 on country radio. Her playful banter—“You don’t look ready yet cause everyone’s sitting down except for all the people in the front”—encouraged fans to get on their feet, transforming the arena into a true concert experience.

She dedicated “One Beer” to anyone enjoying an ice-cold drink, raising a toast to the crowd and inviting them to join in. “You sound good, Chicago!” she praised, clearly enjoying the reciprocal energy.

A poignant moment came as Lauren introduced “Little Things,” dedicating it to her father, J.J. Suddeth, who passed away in July 2024. Her candid recollection of grief and resilience struck a chord, and her storytelling about her brother's perspective on life’s true priorities brought a touching intimacy to the performance. The audience listened in rapt silence as Lauren poured her heart into the song, sharing one of her most personal compositions.

Later, she performed “What Ifs,” and then reflected on her journey since American Idol. “I got a second place on American Idol when I was 16 years old, if you voted for me, you changed my life,” she said. Lauren’s honesty about the challenges of fame—especially the harshness of social media—was relatable and refreshing. She encouraged everyone to sing along to “Road Less Traveled,” a song born from her own experiences with self-doubt and criticism, now transformed into an anthem of self-acceptance.

The show’s highlight came when Lauren asked the audience to pull out their phones, turn on flashlights, and wave them in the air. The sight of thousands of lights sparkling across the United Center was breathtaking, and Lauren’s delight was palpable: “Look at you!” she beamed.

To close out the night, Lauren introduced her talented band—John McGrath on bass, McCoy Gibbs on drums, and Adam “Tico” Hernandez on lead guitar and music direction. Proudly announcing her own roots in Rossville, Georgia, Lauren ended with a blessing and a heartfelt wish: “God bless! Enjoy Rascal Flatts tonight!”

Lauren Alaina’s performance at the United Center was equal parts party and personal reflection. Her ability to blend humor, vulnerability, and powerhouse vocals made for a memorable concert that Chicago won’t soon forget.