Concert Review: Kelsea Ballerini revisits Mohegan Sun Arena on Valentine’s Day for her Patterns World Tour
Kelsea Ballerini made her grand return to the Mohegan Sun Arena stage, not as an opener, but this time headlining her own global world tour. Since her last appearance in Connecticut opening for Keith Urban on his Graffiti U World Tour in 2018, Ballerini has solidified her place as a country-pop princess, going on to make history by putting out back-to-back bestselling albums and winning countless awards; including getting nominated for a few Grammys in the process. Now, she is back performing her 2024 release, Patterns, an honest and vulnerable exploration of Ballerini’s journey of healing with a focus on her everchanging relationships with those around her, friends, family, and lovers. With love at the center of this album, it was only fitting that her show at Mohegan Sun fell on Valentine’s Day. With a crowd full of lovers, both romantic and platonic, everyone was excited to celebrate that love with Kelsea.
The tone was set for an unforgettable night right from the start, thanks to openers MaRynn Taylor and Ashe. MaRynn charmed the audience with her sweet, heartfelt vocals, making for a warm and inviting introduction to the evening. Her genuine enthusiasm was evident, and her performance carried a refreshing sense of authenticity that resonated with the crowd. But it was Ashe who truly stole the spotlight before Kelsea even stepped on stage. Her charisma was magnetic—she didn’t just perform; she commanded the room with every movement. Running back and forth across the stage, engaging with the crowd at every turn, she exuded an electric energy that made it impossible to look away. Her presence felt effortless yet intentional, a perfect balance of artistry and raw connection that primed the audience for the magic still to come.
Kelsea Ballerini opened the show with a breathtaking sense of intimacy and drama, stepping into a single spotlight to perform the title track, Patterns. The stillness of the moment, with just her silhouette illuminated, drew the crowd in instantly. As the music swelled into the second track, Baggage, the spotlight expanded to reveal a striking stage design—Kelsea standing confidently atop a towering pile of luggage bags, a playful yet poignant nod to the song’s message about emotional weight. This theatrical reveal set the tone for a night where storytelling and spectacle intertwined seamlessly. She kept the momentum going with Love Me Like You Mean It, her breakthrough hit that had the crowd on their feet. The energy in the room shifted as fans sang along to every word, a reminder of how far she’s come since that debut single first introduced her signature blend of country-pop charm.
As the show picked up momentum, Kelsea leaned into her more fiery, rebellious side with IF IM GOING DOWN (YOU’RE GOIN DOWN TOO), delivering the track with a playful intensity that had the crowd cheering at every lyric. Her confidence was magnetic, feeding off the audience’s energy as she stomped across the stage, fully embracing the song’s defiant spirit. That high-energy attitude carried straight into Hole in the Bottle, a fan-favorite that turned the arena into a rowdy singalong. With every sly grin and raised glass, Kelsea made it feel like one big party, and the crowd was more than happy to join in. Then came First Rodeo, where she and her band leaned into a groove-heavy performance, packed with sass and swagger.
The show hit a bit of roadblock in the middle of the set when some folks in the crowd, both on the floor and in the stands, needed medical attention. Ballerini handled it the best she could by trying to keep the energy light, but it’s hard to figure out how to fill the silence for a good 10-15 minutes. I’ve been to shows before where people have gone down in the crowd, but I don’t think i’ve seen an arena so silent for so long. I’m not sure why it took so long to get people the help they needed, but the response time was a bit shocking to say the least. All of this made for a more akward transition into the following track, “We Broke Up,” where Kelsea performed some more risque choreography. The track is an absolute banger, one I was definitely looking forward too. However, it wasn’t long after the end of the song when another person went down again.
Once the set was back on track, Kelsea performed some of her bigger hits, including Mountain With a View, Wait!, and her Grammy-nominated song Cowboys Cry Too. During these performances, Ballerini had some spectacular visuals playing on the screens behind her, adding even more depth to the emotions of each song. My favorite had to be the peach sunset that engulfed her during Mountain With a View, which beautifully emulated the soft, dreamy hues of her album cover, making it feel like she had stepped right into the world of Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. The warm tones cast a glow over the stage, perfectly complementing the song’s reflective, heart-wrenching lyrics. Meanwhile, Wait! pulsed with sleek, modern energy, featuring sharp, dramatic lighting changes that matched the song’s urgency. Then, during Cowboys Cry Too, the visuals took on a more cinematic feel, with moody, desert-like imagery that underscored the song’s raw vulnerability. Each visual choice felt intentional, elevating the storytelling in a way that made these performances some of the most striking of the night.
Being Valentine’s Day, Kelsea performed a surprise acoustic rendition of How Much Do You Love Me. Introducing the song Kelsea explained she is in a much better place in her relationships now, saying, “I have made a career off of heartbreak songs and it’s taken a lot to shy away from those bits of my life. I am far from the girl that that wrote (her self-titled EP).” She continued praising the “love of her life”, boyfriend and actor Chase Stokes. Even if you came alone to the show, Ballerini wanted to reassure them they will find that person that makes you feel whole, no matter if that love is platonic or not. “ It’s all gonna make sense one day…you are so worth your happiness…the only person you should ever be with is someone that brings you peace.”
As the night neared its end, Kelsea made sure to leave fans with a final run of high-energy and emotionally charged performances. I Would, Would You had the crowd moving, its infectious rhythm making it impossible to stand still. Then came MUSCLE MEMORY, which pulsed with confidence and flirtatious charm, showcasing Ballerini’s ability to command a stage with effortless ease. The playfulness continued with How Do I Do This, a song that perfectly captured the excitement and uncertainty of new love, bringing a lighthearted moment to the show. But it was Penthouse that delivered the most powerful closer of the night. Stripped down yet emotionally raw, Ballerini poured every ounce of heartache and resilience into the performance, leaving the crowd in awe as she belted out the song’s gut-wrenching final notes. As she took her final bows, it was clear that this tour is Kelsea at her most evolved—vulnerable yet empowered, intimate yet larger-than-life. Fans lucky enough to catch this show are in for a night of stunning visuals, deeply personal storytelling, and a performance that solidifies Ballerini as one of country-pop’s most compelling stars.
For more photos of Kelsea Ballerini at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut click here.
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