BYU student Jackson Bailey’s dreams came true as he performed with Post Malone at his concert in Salt Lake City on Sept. 8.
During the concert featuring his new album, "F-1 Trillion," Malone asked the audience if anyone knew how to play his hit song, “Stay.” Bailey raised his hands and cheered, hoping Post Malone would notice him — and he did.
Malone invited Bailey onto the stage of the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater and handed him his guitar. Malone and Bailey sang a powerful rendition of the fan-favorite song.
“I basically almost passed out,” Bailey commented about the moment Malone called him up to the stage. “It was the most surreal feeling.”
Bailey, a junior studying business management, said he bought VIP tickets to the concert the moment he heard Malone was coming to perform in Salt Lake City.
In hopes of securing the best spot in the section, Bailey and his friend, Troy Reeve, arrived at the concert hours early. Upon arrival, Bailey and Reeve found themselves front and center to Malone’s stage, making Bailey the perfect target to be chosen to play the song.
“I just remember going crazy hoping he’d call on Jackson,” Reeve, a pre-business sophomore, said.
Once Bailey got up on stage, Malone pulled his microphone away and calmed Bailey with encouraging words.
“You’re my inspiration,” Bailey told Malone, to which Malone replied, “You’re my inspiration!”
Post allowed Bailey to introduce himself. Bailey took the opportunity to shout out his parents, telling them he loves them.
“This is Jackson and Posty performing ‘Stay,’” Malone announced.
Fellow BYU students cheered for their colleague as Malone gave three counts, then Bailey began to play.
“It went pretty well,” Bailey said. Though he reports having trouble hearing his guitar over the cheers of 25,000 people, he is content with his performance.
At the close of the song, the crowd unified in a cheer repeating Bailey’s first name: “Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!”
Post handed Bailey the microphone.
“Salt Lake, I love you! You guys are awesome!” Bailey exclaimed.
McKay Mousley, a junior studying elementary education, watched the concert from their seats on the lawn. She remembers Bailey showing the crowd his shaking hands while on stage.
“I think he did super well, especially in front of that many people,” Mousley commented on Bailey’s performance. “It was awesome and made me stoked for him being up there.”
Before stepping off the stage, Malone hugged Bailey a few more times as he gifted him some guitar picks.
Malone’s audience was awe-struck at the quick friendship he forged with Bailey, who has adored Malone’s music since the release of his first album, “Stoney,” in 2016.
“I love his music because it’s real, and it’s a lot of versatility,” Bailey said. “You can feel through his music what he is feeling, and it helps you relate to his music more.”
Bailey’s favorite Post Malone songs being “Feeling Whitney” and “I Fall Apart,” he only learned to play “Stay” within the past three years — it was about three years ago when he began playing the guitar.
With the exception of one instance when he played as a rhythm guitarist at an event, performing with Post marked Bailey’s debut to the world.