Photo: Daniel Cavazos for iHeartRadio
Jelly Roll gave a shoutout to his surprising "good luck charm" at the 2024 iHeartCountry Festival at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Saturday (May 4) while also letting fans hear a brand new song.
Jelly Roll kicked off his five-song set with his song "Halfway to Hell," from his 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel, pairing the fiery lyrics with actual bursts of fire as red lights washed over the arena. He also made sure to mention that the last time he was in Austin at the Moody Center, he went "three for three" at the CMT Awards, calling the Texas city his "good luck charm" and that he's glad to be back in town.
He changed gears for his next song, "Son of a Sinner," his first country single off of his 2021 debut album Ballads of the Broken. Throughout the performance, he looked out at the arena with almost palpable awe and joy before eventually leading the crowd into another repetition of the chorus.
Photo: Daniel Cavazos for iHeartRadio
After giving a sweet shoutout to his wife Bunnie Xo, who couldn't make it to the show, he performed a brand new song that he said he's only sang twice before. While he didn't reveal the official title, the lyrics themselves are accusing, pointing to someone who has "burned me one too many times, like a devil in disguise," saying they are "nothing but a liar" and "I walk right out that fire, you try to bring me down... I'm only goin' higher."
Jelly Roll moved on to his cross-genre hit "Need A Favor," transforming the stage to fit the final songs of his set as the background changed from what was previously a skull wearing a crown into a scene fit for the front of a church, complete with a crucifix swathed in fog.
Jelly Roll got emotional ahead of his final song, "Save Me," thanking his fans for changing his and his family's lives and claiming that because of the love and success he has seen he was "able to break general curses," adding that he can "never thank you enough." Feeling the love emanating from the musician, the crowd reflecting it right back to him and his band, illuminating the arena while shining lights toward the stage as he sang the heartfelt lyrics.
Prior to the show, Jelly Roll had a bit of fun backstage, scoring a fuzzy teddy bear in a carnival game that he adorably said he was going to give to his wife.
Photo: Daniel Cavazos for iHeartRadio
The "Need A Favor" hitmaker is also gearing up for the ACM Awards on May 16, where he has received his very first nomination, along with three other nods alongside other big names in country music. He spoke to People last month following the announcement.
"I spent my whole life just thinking that what I was doing would never be heard or seen. I almost gave up on any dream of this thing ever being like it is now, and man, it is just incredible to be in the middle of it. I'm grateful," he said, adding of his ACM nominations, "I didn't expect to get this many. Even when I had a shelf built, I had it built for what I won last year thinking that was probably the best year of my life. I don't know what to do about this thing still running."
Photo: Daniel Cavazos for iHeartRadio
Jelly Roll was one act in a stacked list of performers at this year's iHeartCountry Festival. Once again hosted by Bobby Bones, the night featured an amazing set of incredible performances from Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lady A, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne and Walker Hayes.