I’ve seen a lot of concerts over the years, but few artists can command a stage the way Carrie Underwood does. When she rolled into Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center on February 10, 2023, it wasn’t just a country concert—it was a full-scale spectacle of powerhouse vocals, dazzling visuals, and a setlist that left no doubt she’s one of the premier performers of her generation.
The moment the lights went down and the first chords of “Good Girl” ripped through the arena, the energy in the building shot straight through the roof. Dressed in shimmering denim and rhinestones (naturally), Carrie strutted onto the stage with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how to kick off a party. Her voice was effortless—clear, soaring, and strong as ever—and the crowd fed off her energy, belting out every word of the sassy anthem.
A Hit Parade From the Start
From there, it was a whirlwind of Carrie classics. “Church Bells” followed, and the dark, dramatic story of a woman escaping an abusive marriage had the arena locked in. The stage lighting shifted to deep reds and blues as Carrie’s voice thundered over the heavy beat. Her ability to turn a country ballad into a rock opera never ceases to amaze me, and this performance was pure theater.
Next came “Undo It,” one of those songs that just screams singalong. The crowd happily obliged, shouting the chorus while Carrie strutted across the stage, trading smiles with her band. By the time she launched into “Hate My Heart,” one of the newer tracks from Denim & Rhinestones, the audience was already eating out of her hand. The song’s bouncy, pop-country groove had people dancing in their seats and the aisles alike.
“Cowboy Casanova” brought a dose of playful seduction, with Carrie delivering the lyrics like a wink and a warning. Her band kicked into a tight, funky rhythm while video screens behind her flashed vintage Western-inspired visuals.
Duets, Deep Cuts, and Big Moments
One of the night’s first emotional peaks came with “If I Didn’t Love You,” Carrie’s chart-topping duet with Jason Aldean. Though Aldean wasn’t there, Carrie handled both sides of the song with dramatic flair, proving once again that she can fill an arena with just her voice and presence.
She followed it with “Wasted,” a fan-favorite ballad that remains one of her most underrated gems. The way she built the song from a quiet verse to a soaring chorus was breathtaking, and the audience responded with a roar when she hit the final note.
Carrie then slipped into “She Don’t Know,” one of the night’s standout moments. The moody storytelling track turned the arena into a shadowy lounge as she sang of hidden heartbreak and betrayal. Her storytelling skills shone here, holding everyone in rapt attention.
Then came “Blown Away,” a showstopper in every sense of the word. Wind machines whipped her hair as the screens behind her exploded with lightning visuals, creating a literal storm inside the Bryce Jordan Center. The song’s cinematic drama and Carrie’s powerhouse vocals left the crowd stunned.
Mixing Old and New
Carrie wasn’t afraid to mix in new material alongside the hits. “Burn,” with its smoldering groove, showcased her rockier side, while “Cry Pretty” brought a raw, emotional vulnerability that had more than a few fans wiping away tears. The lighting here was gorgeous—soft pinks and purples that matched the song’s bittersweet message.
“Ghost Story” followed, turning up the drama with haunting visuals and a soaring chorus. Then came “Two Black Cadillacs,” another dark narrative masterpiece. The crowd ate it up, hanging on every vengeful lyric as Carrie prowled the stage like a country-noir queen.
She switched gears with “Garden,” offering a tender, hopeful moment that showcased her softer vocal side. The intimate performance gave everyone a chance to breathe before the next round of showstoppers.
Faith, Firepower, and Pure Fun
Carrie’s faith has always been central to her music, and the back-to-back pairing of “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “How Great Thou Art” was nothing short of breathtaking. The former remains one of her signature songs, and hearing thousands of fans sing along created a goosebump-inducing moment of unity. But it was her cover of the classic hymn that truly stunned the room. When she hit the final, soaring high note of “How Great Thou Art,” the crowd erupted into one of the loudest ovations of the night.
With emotions running high, Carrie shifted the mood again with the playful “Crazy Angels,” a glittery romp that had her twirling across the stage. “Denim & Rhinestones,” the title track of her 2022 album, followed with a funky, retro vibe that had the arena dancing like it was a Saturday night honky-tonk.
A Rocker’s Edge
Carrie has always had a rock streak, and she let it shine in the show’s final act. “Flat on the Floor” brought pure country-rock adrenaline, with the band ripping through the uptempo number like a freight train. “Poor Everybody Else” kept the energy soaring, mixing humor and grit in equal measure.
“Last Name” turned the arena into a raucous singalong, with Carrie grinning as the audience shouted the cheeky lyrics back at her. Then came “Something in the Water,” a song that perfectly blends her spiritual themes with pop grandeur. The performance built like a gospel revival, ending in a euphoric crescendo that had the entire arena on its feet.
But Carrie wasn’t done surprising us. With a mischievous smile, she launched into a cover of “Welcome to the Jungle,” proving once again that she can handle hard rock as easily as a country ballad. Her band leaned into the Guns N’ Roses classic with roaring guitars, and Carrie’s vocals were fierce enough to make Axl Rose proud.
The Ultimate Finale
Of course, no Carrie Underwood show would be complete without her signature anthem. As soon as the opening guitar riff of “Before He Cheats” rang out, the Bryce Jordan Center exploded. Fans screamed every word of the revenge-fueled hit as Carrie strutted across the stage, her vocals razor-sharp and full of attitude. It was the perfect closer—defiant, fun, and undeniably satisfying.
The Setlist
For those keeping track, here’s the full setlist from that unforgettable night:
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Good Girl
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Church Bells
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Undo It
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Hate My Heart
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Cowboy Casanova
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If I Didn’t Love You (Jason Aldean cover)
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Wasted
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She Don’t Know
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Blown Away
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Burn
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Cry Pretty
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Ghost Story
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Two Black Cadillacs
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Garden
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Jesus, Take the Wheel
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How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine cover)
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Crazy Angels
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Denim & Rhinestones
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Flat on the Floor
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Poor Everybody Else
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Last Name
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Something in the Water
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Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses cover)
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Before He Cheats
Final Thoughts
Walking out of the Bryce Jordan Center, it was impossible not to feel awed by what Carrie Underwood had just delivered. Over the course of nearly two and a half hours, she sang, soared, and sparkled her way through a career-spanning set that reminded everyone why she remains at the top of country music—and why she continues to cross genres with ease.
Her vocals were flawless from start to finish, hitting every impossible high note with a clarity that most singers only dream of. But just as impressive was her connection with the crowd. Whether she was delivering a tear-stained ballad like “Cry Pretty,” rocking out to “Welcome to the Jungle,” or leading a singalong of “Before He Cheats,” she made a packed arena feel intimate and personal.
The production matched the performance—massive video screens, dazzling lights, and wardrobe changes that ranged from rhinestone-studded gowns to leather jackets. Yet none of the spectacle ever overshadowed the music. At the heart of it all was Carrie’s voice: rich, powerful, and deeply expressive.
Carrie Underwood’s February 10th show at Penn State wasn’t just a concert; it was a masterclass in how to entertain, inspire, and absolutely thrill an audience. From the first note of “Good Girl” to the final stomp of “Before He Cheats,” she proved once again that she’s not only one of country music’s brightest stars but one of the greatest live performers of her generation.