Reader’s Review: Dierks Bentley at Saratoga

Whether you are a long time Saratogian or visiting for your first time this summer, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

SPAC is Saratoga’s resident amphitheater nestled among the towering pines of the Saratoga Spa State Park. I have seen many artists preform on a variety of different stages from open grass fields, festival settings, and arena tours and still SPAC will always feel special to me. The perfect balance of big stage quality with a close community feel…and Dierks Bentley seems to agree. 

After kicking off the Gravel and Gold concert on July 18, Dierks made sure to tell his fans why performing in Saratoga is special to him. He talked about having performed at many different venues throughout his career but said playing at SPAC feels like you’re playing in someone’s backyard. 

That exact feeling is why I think so many people love SPAC. You simply feel closer to the artist. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone connect with their crowd as much as Dierks Bentley did. 

He was high energy all night: running across stage, talking with fans – even inviting a couple to go up on stage with him, and encouraging the crowd to raise another beer. It felt like a big party all night long. 

Standing there getting to watch him perform was an amazing experience. There was chanting and cheering and singing along, from “I Hold On” to “Somewhere on a Beach” – which Dierks said, somewhere on Saratoga Lake!! – there were people who sang along like every word was written for them. 

When everyone thought the show was over and the band played what we all thought was the last song of the night, Dierks Bentley came back out on stage wearing a pilot’s costume to perform “Drunk on a Plane,” and followed it up with another costume change, this time with the band wearing wigs and dressed up as his parody band Hot Country Knights. They played a few more songs to eventually end the night. Simply put… I had a great time! It was one amazing night.