There was no opening act, no lengthy introduction and no unnecessary buildup.
At sunset Thursday, John Mellencamp swaggered onto the stage at Charlotte’s Truliant Amphitheater with a cigarette in hand and a guitar slung over his shoulder, then got straight to work, launching a career-spanning performance that reminded fans why his songs have remained staples of American rock for more than four decades.
The stop on his 2026 “Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits” lasted nearly 2½ hours and featured 24 songs backed by an accomplished eight-piece band that rarely let the energy dip. On a warm summer evening with the sun setting behind the lawn, the amphitheater provided a fitting backdrop for Mellencamp’s heartland rock.
Seeing him live for the first time, I expected to recognize a handful of hits. I didn’t expect to know as many songs as I did…