Cole Swindell will headline his own tour in 2018! The singer will kick off his Reason to Drink Tour on Feb. 8, with Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina serving as his opening acts.
“The past four years, I’ve been on the best tours I could ever imagine,” Swindell shared recently with The Boot and other reporters. “From Luke Bryan to [Jason] Aldean to stadium shows with [Kenny] Chesney and Florida Georgia Line, last year with Dierks [Bentley] … It’s gonna be different, going out [alone]. I’ve been waiting on this; this is something I’ve dreamed of, but the pressure’s kind of on me now.”
Swindell couldn’t be more excited about bringing Janson and Alaina with him on the road, either.
“I had to find opening acts, and it’s tough in this spot,” Swindell says. “If I’m a new artist, I’m going with the biggest name there is. I’m at this spot where I’m headlining, but I’m not up there with some of those guys yet … I couldn’t be more happy with the lineup. I think to have Chris, who puts on one of the best shows, live shows, I’ve ever seen out there, and Lauren Alaina is one of my favorites — I think it’s going to be a cool lineup and a lot of fun.”
Swindell is also looking forward to having the chance to perform fan-favorites tunes, along with songs from his upcoming, still-untitled third studio album. The Reason to Drink Tour, he says, is named for a song that will be on that project.
“It’s going to be fun to be out there, but I’m anxious. I’m ready to get in there. I’m ready to see what our set’s going to look like,” Swindell admits. “Here I am, coming up on off time of the year, and it’s all I can think about is next year already.”
It’s because Swindell has been on some of the biggest country tours of recent years that he feels pressure — and excitement — as he gets ready for his Reason to Drink Tour.
“We’ve had it good the past few years,” shares Swindell. “I told [my band], ‘You realize, it’s on us now? There ain’t no getting out there, playing 45 minutes, going to get some beers and watching the next act play. They’re depending on us.’
“For me, I’m excited about all of it, just to have my own tour,” he adds. “I’ve played the biggest venues in the country the past four years, and now, we may not be playing in those venues this year, but we’re going to build this thing. It’s time for me to build my fanbase one year at a time, and one tour at a time. One day, I want to be back in those arenas and amphitheaters and stadiums that I played in the first four years; I want to be the main guy. It’s going to take some time, and I’m willing to do it. It’s only been four years, and I can’t expect to be there yet.”
The “Stay Downtown” singer acknowledges 2018 will be the busiest — and most grueling — year he has ever had.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Swindell says. “But, to me, it’s just exciting to have it all on me and know this is our first step to one day playing those big venues again and those dream venues that we talked about. And to take other people out — honestly, that’s a big part for me, because I’ve had the opportunity to be out with some of the biggest acts. So if I can help those in their career all by bringing them in front of my fans, it’s going to be fun.”
Asked how he will feel as the person in charge of the show each night, 34-year-old Swindell concedes that he won’t really know until opening night.
“I’ve never done this at this level,” says Swindell. “It’s going to be different. Every night to me is an adrenaline rush. It doesn’t matter where I’m playing. When I’m up there, that’s my spot. I know I’m in control. Whatever goes, that’s how I feel.”
A complete list of Swindell’s 2018 Reason to Drink Tour dates is below; visit ColeSwindell.com for more details. Prior to that trek, Swindell will play his Down Home Tour, which begins on Jan. 11 in Athens, Ga.
Cole Swindell, 2018 Reason to Drink Tour Dates:
Feb. 15 — Allentown, Pa. @ PPL Center
Feb. 16 — Manchester, N.H. @ SNHU Arena
Feb. 17 — Uncasville, Conn. @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 22 — Brookings, S.D. @ Swiftel Center
Feb. 23 — Madison, Wis. @ Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center
Feb. 24 — Columbia, Mo. @ Mizzou Arena
March 2 — Hershey, Pa. @ Giant Center
March 3 — Kingston, R.I. @ Ryan Center
March 8 — Asheville, N.C. @ Asheville Civic Center
March 9 — Fayetteville, N.C. @ Crown Coliseum
March 10 — Columbia, S.C. @ Colonial Life Arena
March 15 — Saginaw, Mich. @ Dow Event Center
March 16 — Kalamazoo, Mich. @ Wings Event Center
March 17 — Bloomington, Ill. @ Grossinger Motors Arena
March 22 — Huntington, W.V. @ Big Sandy Superstore Arena
March 23 — Roanoke, Va. @ Berglund Center
March 24 — Corbin, Ky. @ Arena
April 6 — Temecula, Calif. @ Summit at Pechango Casino
April 7 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ Greek Theater
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This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
