What to expect at The Red Clay Strays' Grateful Tour: Setlist, start time and more

It has been quite a rise for The Red Clay Strays.

A band that spent years building its following in smaller rooms is now taking the “Grateful Tour” into arenas across North America. The rooms may be bigger, but Brandon Coleman can still stop a crowd with his voice and the band brings the kind of energy that makes even a massive venue feel rowdy.

There are still plenty of shows left on the schedule, so whether you have been following them for years or are finally catching them for the first time, here is what to know before the “Grateful Tour” comes to your city.

Ultimate guide to The Red Clay Strays' "Grateful Tour"

The Red Clay Strays have come a long way from their roots in Mobile, Alabama. The "Grateful Tour" is their biggest headlining run yet after kicking things off July 30 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

The tour also gives Grateful a much bigger stage. The band's third studio album arrived June 5, and its songs are now a major part of the live show alongside the older favorites fans already know.

The tour also gives fans a good snapshot of everything The Red Clay Strays do well live. There is plenty of Southern rock and country in the mix, but also touches of soul, gospel and blues that come through even more once the band is onstage.

Upcoming Red Clay Strays "Grateful Tour" dates

Below are the remaining confirmed "Grateful Tour" dates. Highlights include two-night runs at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on October 7–8 and Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on October 22–23, plus stops in Vancouver and Toronto. The tour closes at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 5.

Who is opening for The Red Clay Strays on the "Grateful Tour"?

The "Grateful Tour" has a pretty stacked group of openers, with the supporting acts pulling from country, Americana, Southern rock, soul and roots music.

Wyatt Flores has quickly become one of the more recognizable young names in country and Americana. His songs are emotional and stripped-back, and his rough-edged voice makes him a natural fit with The Red Clay Strays.

Sweet Talk brings a rootsy rock sound that fits naturally alongside the rest of the bill. They are one of the recurring support acts on the tour, helping set the tone early with a live-band feel that lines up well with The Red Clay Strays' guitar-heavy style.

Dylan Gossett comes from a similar singer-songwriter world, with a raw style built around acoustic guitar and personal storytelling. He brings a quieter, more intimate feel before the night gets louder.

Muscadine Bloodline should feel especially familiar to Red Clay Strays fans. The Alabama duo blends country with Southern rock, big harmonies and plenty of guitar, so their sets can feel less like a warmup and more like an extension of the main event.

The Revivalists bring a bigger rock sound to the tour. The New Orleans band mixes rock, soul and roots music and has built much of its reputation around energetic live shows.

Haley Reinhart brings something different to those dates with a powerful voice and a sound that pulls from soul, rock and jazz.

Shane Smith & The Saints have developed a devoted following of their own with a mix of Texas country, rock and Americana. Their fiddle-heavy sound gives those shows another distinct flavor without feeling out of place on the bill.

Brent Cobb is a Georgia singer-songwriter whose music leans heavily into Southern storytelling, country and soul. His laid-back style makes him a particularly good fit on a tour where musicianship matters as much as spectacle.

Sierra Ferrell has become one of the standout artists in modern Americana by pulling from country, folk, bluegrass and old-time music. She has a sound that is hard to pin to one genre, which makes her one of the more interesting pairings on the tour.

Travis Tritt brings the most history of anyone on the lineup. The Georgia native was one of country's biggest stars of the 1990s and built his career around a mix of country, blues and Southern rock that lines up closely with many of the influences behind The Red Clay Strays.

What time do The Red Clay Strays go on stage?

For most "Grateful Tour" dates with two openers, The Red Clay Strays have been taking the stage around 9 p.m. local time.

That has been the pattern at several early stops. The band went on at 9 p.m. at TD Garden in Boston, 9 p.m. in Philadelphia and 9 p.m. at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. At the Grand Forks show, Sweet Talk started at 6:30 p.m. and Dylan Gossett followed at 7:30 before The Red Clay Strays came out at 9.

That makes the 6:30 p.m. time listed for many shows the start of the full concert rather than The Red Clay Strays' set. Timing can still change depending on the opener lineup and venue, so check your event listing or the venue's social channels closer to showtime.

How long is a Red Clay Strays concert?

The early "Grateful Tour" shows point to a Red Clay Strays set of right around two hours.

The band's Boston show ran from 9 to 11 p.m., while Philadelphia lasted from 9 to 10:55. Madison Square Garden was a much bigger night, stretching to roughly two and a half hours thanks to special guests, extra songs and an extended finale that helped turn the band's MSG debut into something closer to a one-night event than a standard tour stop.

For most dates, around two hours is the better expectation. Add two opening sets beforehand and a 6:30 p.m. start can easily turn into more than four hours of live music before you leave the arena.

The Red Clay Strays "Grateful Tour" setlist

The "Grateful Tour" has developed a pretty consistent core, but The Red Clay Strays are still leaving room to change things up from night to night.

Here is how often some of the most common songs have been confirmed across seven reported shows in Columbia, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Grand Forks, Bozeman and Seattle:

Do The Red Clay Strays play older hits?

Yes. Even with Grateful taking up a big chunk of the show, The Red Clay Strays are still making plenty of room for the songs that helped build their following.

“Wondering Why,” “Stone’s Throw” and “Sunshine” have all been confirmed at every one of the seven reported headlining shows in our early-tour sample. “I’m Still Fine,” “Drowning,” “Devil in My Ear” and “Wanna Be Loved” have also been regular parts of the set.

So fans who discovered the band before Grateful should still hear plenty they recognize. The exact mix changes from night to night, but the new album has not pushed the older favorites out of the show.

Is there an encore at The Red Clay Strays' "Grateful Tour" show?

Yes. An encore has been a regular part of the "Grateful Tour" so far.

At the Grand Forks show, the band returned for “Fool’s Gold,” “Wanna Be Loved,” “Grateful” and “No One Else Like Me.” Seattle followed with “Will the Lord Remember Me,” “Wanna Be Loved” and “No One Else Like Me,” while Boston also featured a multi-song encore.

The songs can change, but “Wanna Be Loved” has become one of the more dependable late-show moments. So when the main set ends, it is probably worth staying put for a few more minutes.

What is the "Grateful Tour" production like?

The Red Clay Strays have moved into arenas without turning the show into a giant production for production's sake. The band still does most of the heavy lifting.

The bigger venues have brought much larger screens, more elaborate lighting and live camera work that helps fans farther from the stage keep up with what is happening. At Madison Square Garden, “Stone’s Throw” was paired with footage of the band's hometown of Mobile on the big screen, while a Boston fan specifically called out the video monitors and camera crews as part of the arena setup.

The backing vocalists have also become an important part of the live sound. They add a gospel feel behind Brandon Coleman and the rest of the band, especially when songs build from quieter openings into the kind of full-band moments that can fill an arena.

When should I arrive for The Red Clay Strays' concert?

If you want to catch the full lineup, plan to be inside before the listed 6:30 p.m. start time.

Most "Grateful Tour" dates have two openers, and the early shows have shown that the first act can start right on time. Getting to the venue about an hour before showtime should leave enough room for parking, security, merch or a food stop without having to sprint to your seat.

Give yourself even more time for the two-night stops in Fort Worth and Nashville, where parking and rideshare traffic could be heavier around the arena. It is also worth checking your venue's bag policy, parking information and entry rules before you leave.

What should I bring to a Red Clay Strays concert?

Start with your mobile ticket and a charged phone. Pull your ticket up before you get to the gate so you are not trying to find it with a line forming behind you.

A portable charger can be useful for a night that may stretch past 11 p.m. You may also want a valid ID, a credit or debit card, earplugs and a small bag that meets your venue's rules.

Do not assume every stop has the same bag policy. Check the venue before you go, especially if you are bringing anything larger than a small purse or clutch.

Comfortable shoes are also a good call since you could be standing for multiple sets. For the outdoor Lake Tahoe show, bring an extra layer for later in the night when temperatures can cool off quickly.

What should fans wear to the "Grateful Tour"?

Vintage band tees, denim, boots, trucker hats and flannels all fit right in with The Red Clay Strays crowd. The band's style has always felt more worn-in than dressed-up, so this is not a show where you need to build an elaborate outfit just to match the vibe.

Weather matters more than anything else. The late-summer West Coast dates may call for lighter clothes, while the fall shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and other cities could be chilly by the time you leave.

Whatever you wear, make sure you are comfortable enough to stand in it for a few hours.

Is The Red Clay Strays' "Grateful Tour" good for younger fans?

It can be. The Southern rock and country sound can appeal to a pretty wide range of ages, and most arena dates are all ages unless the individual event listing says otherwise.

The bigger things to think about are volume and how late the night can run. With two openers starting around 6:30 p.m. and The Red Clay Strays often taking the stage around 9, some shows can stretch to roughly 11 p.m. before everyone starts heading for the exits.

Earplugs or other hearing protection are a smart idea for younger fans, especially in an arena. Parents should also check the rules for their specific venue before buying since floor, pit or general-admission areas can sometimes have different age policies.

How to get The Red Clay Strays tour tickets on SeatGeek

Once you know which "Grateful Tour" show you want to see, finding the right ticket is pretty straightforward.

1. Go to The Red Clay Strays tickets page or open the SeatGeek app.

2. Select the "Grateful Tour" date and city you want to attend.

3. Use the interactive seat map to compare sections, rows and prices.

4. Check Deal Score to see which listings stand out for value.

5. Use filters to narrow your options by price, ticket quantity, section or other preferences.

6. Review the full listing details, including the ticket type and delivery information.

7. Complete your purchase knowing eligible orders are backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee, which covers areas including timely delivery, valid entry and receiving the tickets you ordered.

8. Before the show, pull up your mobile tickets, charge your phone and double-check the venue's entry policies.

A few years ago, seeing The Red Clay Strays might have meant standing shoulder to shoulder in a small room. Now thousands of people are singing those same songs back at them every night, and this feels like a pretty special time to catch them live.