This past Friday night, Sugarland once again took to the stage in Indiana. This time, instead of a massive outdoor festival vibe, the show held a solemn overtone inside the Conseco Fieldhouse. The audience were folks who will forever be changed from witnessing people’s lives stolen as the stage suddenly collapsed just 11 weeks ago at the Indiana State fair. The audience wasn’t the only thing changed that day, Sugarland was supposed to take the stage…

“You are different, and we are different,” Sugarland vocalist Jennifer Nettles told the capacity crowd estimated at 18,000. “We’re all changed by what happened then. But we are going to try to give you the best show that we can.”

For 90 minutes, the audience and the act were “one.”

They seemed to be very connected with the people in the audience,” Miller said. “An emotional connection, almost like we’re extended family now.”

For many folks, this brought closure to their grief. Prior to the show, many gathered to share stories of that tragic day with people who were there, and who would understand.

“There was nobody else around who had been here,” said Yvonne, who on Friday wore a Sugarland T-shirt purchased at the fair. “Nobody understood what we had gone through. I think being around people tonight and knowing they’re OK and trying to celebrate — that will heal.”

You can read more about the special concert and also see pictures from the event here at the IndyStar.com.

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