From Club Stages to Arena Lights: Inside a Hired Gun’s Journey to Keith Urban’s World Tour

Ciaran Wilkie has played over 400 shows with Chase Matthew in just four years. But nothing quite prepared him for the moment his artist pulled him aside in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with news that would change everything.

As one of the longest-standing members of Chase Matthew’s band, Wilkie had already earned his stripes on the country touring circuit—grinding through clubs, theaters, and festival stages across North America. But when Matthew revealed they’d be joining Keith Urban’s High and Alive World Tour as direct support, it marked a quantum leap in scale and stakes.

“We were all so excited not only to be on another major tour the following year but also to be doing it with Keith Urban,” Wilkie recalls. “As a guitar player I was thrilled. Keith is a legend for us players.”

For a Berklee-trained guitarist whose background spans jazz, metal, musical theater, and orchestral work, the opportunity represented something beyond just bigger rooms. Urban, widely regarded as one of country music’s most technically gifted guitarists, would become an unexpected mentor night after night.

The Education of Playing with a Legend

“Keith is a special breed,” Wilkie explains. “He’s arguably a better guitarist than anything else, which is quite something considering his incredible songs, voice, and completely unmatched stage presence.”

Watching Urban’s nightly “guitar clinic” from the wings became its own masterclass. What struck Wilkie most was Urban’s fearlessness—the way he improvised long solos, stumbled into new ideas, and settled into the musical flow with apparent joy. “It was a blessing to watch him play every night,” he says. “After years of touring, it taught me that we can always be learning and doing better.”

Beyond the performance, Wilkie witnessed Urban’s musicianship in action during soundchecks, watching him lead his elite band through new material with meticulous precision. “Keith is an insane band leader,” Wilkie notes, describing the experience as a window into how world-class artists craft and communicate their vision.

Scaling Up: The Reality of Arena Touring

The operational differences between club touring and arena-level shows are staggering. On the Keith Urban tour, crowds ranged from 10,000 to 20,000 people across amphitheaters and arenas in North America and Australia. Every second counts in venues of that scale.

“There are so many moving pieces that come together to make any show happen, but certainly on the arena level this is more than true,” Wilkie explains. The Chase Matthew band spent tireless hours in rehearsals, running their set repeatedly—not just for practice, but for timing, which becomes crucial when you’re a guest on a major tour.

Urban’s generosity extended beyond just sharing the stage. “He graciously allowed us to fully use” the risers and thrusts built into his production, Wilkie says. “He made a point of telling us he wanted to make sure we had fun out there too, which was extremely cool.”

The international leg proved particularly surreal. As the only opener from the North American dates invited to Australia, the band spent a month playing arenas typically reserved for Australian country royalty. “Being able to be in Australia that long, play that many shows, and play in the arenas that we did is really an experience saved for Australian Country royalty of which Keith is the top dog,” Wilkie reflects.

The Philosophy of the Hired Gun

What separates good hired guns from great ones? According to Wilkie, it’s understanding that success means “making the whole operation better, not just playing your parts correctly.”

On a tour like Urban’s, where not everyone in the crowd is there for the opening act, that philosophy becomes essential. “It’s imperative that you believe in your product and put your best foot forward not only in playing your parts but in interacting with the crowd and making sure they have the best time possible,” he explains.

But the work extends beyond the stage. “Helping and thanking your crew that allows you to play every night, pulling your weight even when it’s just your stuff, and being a positive member of the team all helps make the operation run smoother and happier.”

From a musical standpoint, Wilkie’s diverse background has proven invaluable as Chase Matthew’s sound spans rock, country, and pop influences. His co-write with Matthew, “Darlin’,” showcases the trap-influenced pop side, while other material leans into heavier rock territory—a versatility that traces back to his musical theater days and genre-spanning education.

The Sustainable Career

For young guitarists watching Wilkie’s trajectory from Toronto to Berklee to Keith Urban’s world tour, his advice is surprisingly straightforward: it’s actually possible.

“Going down this career path most people look at you sideways and think it’s largely impossible to create a meaningful career in music,” he acknowledges. “In a lot of ways they’re right—it is HARD but not impossible.”

His prescription? Never stop developing musical interests. Trust your instincts when choosing who to give your time to. And most importantly: “Perform every show with the kind of intensity, passion, and strife for perfection that you would in front of 20,000 people even if you’re actually playing underneath a stage for a musical.”

One day, you’ll get where you want to be.

Photo credits: Seth Ostrander