The first time I heard the song “Storm Warning” I thought this song is great and of course I mistakenly assumed that it was by an artist much older than 20 year old Hunter Hayes.  When I realized how old he actually is, I was shocked by both the maturity in his lyrics and his talent. For this show my cousin Katy came into Milwaukee from the Madison area.  She was also surprised by the number of songs that he had created so early in his career and by how well he commanded his audience.

 Hayes exudes incredible potential for someone so young; during his two plus hours performance he played at least 3 different guitars (there were 5 on the stage for him), the piano and three songs acoustically.  His appreciation for his growing fan base was evident when he described how when he was here in Milwaukee only two months ago at the Rave he was in the much smaller room and now he was lucky enough to be playing in the large ballroom.

Not only did Hayes cover his two songs “Storm Warning” and “Wanted” which are getting airplay right now on FM106.1, but he covered all the songs from his debut CD and then some.  How exciting for his young fans to hear all the song they love, live and in one night!

The audience was also enormously appreciative of his quick return to the Rave.  Every note and every lyric of every song was sung by the young, adoring fans.  He excited them multiple times running across the room to another stage set up in the back so that a different group could get a front row serenade. Hayes also wooed the crowd with songs from other artist like “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer and “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars.

Everyone ate it up! Even the moms and dads who brought their daughters to the show were dancing and having a great time!  At the end of the second encore no one wanted to leave; security had to start asking large groups of fans to exit. 

The meet and greet for Hunter Hayes was after the show and those of us with passes were directed to another room at the Rave where the backdrop for the pictures was set up.  It also happened to be the same room that he had performed in the last time he was here in February.  What a contrast in venue sizes! I can see why he was so proud and grateful to his ever growing fan base here in Milwaukee.  Everyone in line was highly anxious and excited to meet their favorite artist!