April 2 (UPI) -- Superstar couple Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were all smiles on the red carpet Sunday.
The 49-year-old country star and Kidman, also 49, attended the 2017 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las vegas.
urban and kidman looked the picture perfect couple as they laughed, kissed and whispered while posing for photos. The pair married in 2006, and share two daughters, 8-year-old Sunday and 6-year-old Faith.
"When my daughters do this......I"ve ALREADY WON!!!! - KU #ACMawards," Urban captioned a photo of his daughters with a "Good Luck Daddy" sign prior to the ceremony.
Urban performed two songs at the awards show -- "Blue Ain"t Your Color" and "The Fighter" -- which both appear on his ninth studio album, Ripcord. "The Fighter," which features Carrie Underwood, was inspired by Kidman.
"I remember when he first played it for me, and I started to cry because ... he writes these things -- they come out of I don"t know -- and they"re like beautiful gifts," the Big Little Lies actress told People on the red carpet.
Urban was nominated for seven awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, but lost to Jason Aldean and Thomas Rhett, respectively. Female Vocalist of the Year winner Miranda Lambert and boyfriend Anderson East were among the other couples at the awards show.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban couldn"t stop with the PDA on Sunday as the actress supported her man at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.
49-year-old Nicole was simply showstopping in a glittering gown from Alexander McQueen which suited her perfectly.
She closed her eyes as her man kissed her tenderly while the couple appeared to forget the cameras were on them.
Scroll down for a list of the ACM Award nominees & video
Puckering up: Nicole Kidman looked showstopping in Alexander McQueen as she attended Sunday"s ACM awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, with husband Keith Urban
Get a room! The couple enjoyed a serious PDA as they seemed unaware they were having their picture taken at the event
Nicole"s sparkling gown skimmed the floor elegantly, while clinging to the Aussie beauty"s tall, trim figure as she posed with husband Keith at the Las Vegas awards event.
The dazzling cream gown was adorned with an intricate pattern of silver thread weaving through the dresses airy creme sheath.
Embroidered with wildlife, the flora and fauna of the gown perfectly complemented Nicole"s fair complexion and green eyes.
Even with her body covered in fabric, the dress draped upon the Big Little Lies star"s body like a second skin.
Two"s company: Nicole appeared resplendent in her intricate gown as she supported her man at the event
Cheek-y: Nicole seemed overjoyed as Keith planted another one on her
Elegant but wild: The 49-year-old stunner"s elegant form was accentuated by the floor sweeping frock
Detailed design: Embroidered with silver and green metallic thread, the Big Little Lie"s talent"s gown perfectly complemented her strawberry blonde locks and emerald eyes
Her strawberry blonde tresses embodied simple elegance, swept out of her face with a chic ponytail.
Nicole"s shoulder sweeping chandelier earrings enriched the glow of her emerald colored eyes.
Fluttering eyelashes and a shimmering pink-n**e lip added the perfect touch of Hollywood glamour to the Las Vegas fete.
Pony up: The Aussie beauty"s strawberry blonde tresses were swept out of her face with a chic loose ponytail
Standing out:Keith"s suit was covered in tiny polka dots and teamed with a skinny burgundy tie
The look of love: The couple were playful with each other on the red carpet and Keith could not keep his eyes off Nicole
The best date: Keith was happy to have Nicole by his side at the event where he was honored with seven award nominations
Keith"s suit stood out from the crowd at the awards show, covered in tiny polka dots and teamed with a skinny burgundy tie.
The Fighter hitmaker added a simple personal touch to his look by unbuttoning the top of his dress shirt.
His caramel highlighted locks hung close to his shoulders and his white shirt accentuated his impressive tan.
So in love: Once inside the venue, Nicole and Keith continued to cosy up to one another
Cosy: Nicole rested her arms across Keith"s legs as they enjoyed the show
Close: Singer Carrie Underwood (L) was sitting on the other side of Nicole - she also performed on the night
How did she clap this time? Nicole stood up and clapped for her man as he took to the stage after her clapping got panned at the Oscars - he performed Blue Ain"t Your Color with Carrie Underwood
The lovers were playful on the carpet, holding hands and looking at each other dotingly.They also stopped to take selfies and chat with adoring fans.
On their way to the show earlier, Keith posted a sweet video of himself and his other half, which he captioned, "We are headed to the prom. We"re going to the ACM prom."
Before the big night out, the country-pop talent was given a darling surprise by his daughters Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose.
Fun times: (L-R) Keith, Nicole , and recording artists Faith Hill and Tim McGraw all appeared to be having a giggle on the night
Can"t get enough of him: Nicole continued to keep her hands on her man as the foursome caught up
Letting him do the talking: Nicole remained seated as Keith caught up with singer Chris Laine
In very high spirits: Singer Howie D. of the Backstreet Boys greets the group
What"s tickling them? Keith and Nicole were really letting their hair down
Tender: Nicole stroked Keith"s leg as the night rumbled on
Woop woop! The FROW were loving life as the cheered on the performances
"When my daughters do this......I"ve ALREADY WON!!!! - KU #ACMawards," wrote the star on Instagram alongside a picture of his little ladies holding a handmade sign with "Good Luck Daddy" scrawled on it in children"s handwriting.
The Ripcord musician is the most nominated artists at the Sunday awards show, honored with seven nominations.
The country star will also take the stage to perform two songs,Blue Ain"t Your Color and The Fighter which he will sing with Carrie Underwood.
Dad"s greatest gift: Before their big night out, the Ripcord artist shared his daughter"s good luck gift on Instgram. His little ladies handcrafted a "good luck" sign for their pops
Big night: The New Zealand born hitmaker is taking the stage to perform two songs
Catching up: Nicole and recording artist Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town had plenty to talk about
A quick embrace: She also had time for a hug with singer-songwriter Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn
2017 ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean - WINNER
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Thomas Rhett - WINNER
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - WINNER
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brothers Osborne - WINNER
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town - WINNER
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Photos
New Male Vocalist of the Year
Kane Brown
Chris Janson
Chris Lane
Jon Pardi - WINNER
Brett Young
New Female Vocalist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Cam
Brandy Clark
Maren Morris - WINNER
New Vocal Duo Or Group of the Year
A Thousand Horses
Brothers Osborne - WINNER
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Album of the Year
Black, Dierks Bentley
Dig Your Roots, Florida Georgia Line
Hero, Maren Morris
Ripcord, Keith Urban
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert - WINNER
Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Lori McKenna - WINNER
Single Record of the Year
Blue Aint Your Color Keith Urban
H.O.L.Y. Florida Georgia Line - WINNER
Humble and Kind Tim McGraw
My Church Maren Morris
Vice Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year
Blue Aint Your Color Keith Urban
Die a Happy Man Thomas Rhett - WINNER
Humble and Kind Tim McGraw
Kill a Word Eric Church featuring Rhiannon Giddens
Tennessee Whiskey Chris Stapleton
Vice Miranda Lambert
Video of the Year
Fire Away Chris Stapleton
Forever Country Artists of Then, Now & Forever - WINNER
Humble and Kind Tim McGraw
Peter Pan Kelsea Ballerini
Vice Miranda Lambert
Vocal Event of the Year
Different for Girls Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King
Forever Country Artists of Then, Now & Forever
May We All Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw - WINNER
Setting the World on Fire Kenny Chesney featuring Pink
Anohni
Hopelessness
Antony Hegarty is no more. Now shes simply Anohni. Its not the only big change in her world since 2010s Swanlights. The former Johnsons leaders latest release Hopelessness unveils a drastic artistic reinvention, discarding the baroque chamber-pop of her former persona for edgy, experimental soundscapes created in collaboration with electronica composer-producers Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never. The shadowy, skittery, scratchy and sometimes strange surroundings arent totally unfamiliar, though; her rich voice retains the tremulous, throaty passion of her previous life, while her poetic lyrics continue to tackle everything from intensely personal topics like death and love to universal themes like global warming and drone warfare. So even though it may sometimes live up to its bleak title, it is more about living up to great expectations than giving in to despair.
RATING: 4 (out of 5)
James Blake
The Colour in Anything
Colour him anything but foolish. Or unprepared. Less than two weeks after making a standout cameo on Beyonces surprise smash album, British post-modern singer-keyboardist Blake strikes while the Lemonade is still hot with a surprise album of his own. And anyone who appreciated Beys Forward or his two previous albums should have no complaints about this 76-minute batch of lusciously styled electro-soul ballads that mix haunting high-tech ambience with his mournfully trembling croon and yearning lyrics (and sweeten it with input from Frank Ocean, Bon Iver and Rick Rubin). Beyonce isnt the only one who knows what to do with lemons.
RATING: 4 (out of 5)
Pierce the Veil
Misadventures
Im not a kid anymore, admits PTVs Vic Fuentes on Misadventures. Indeed not: But that doesnt deter the baby-faced singer-guitarist from acting like one. Or screaming like one. The 33-year-old punk continues to channel his angst-fuelled inner teen on the San Diego bands long-awaited fourth album, venting his emotions atop a stylishly produced but stylistically stereotypical collection of intricately knotted guitars and cathartically propulsive post-hardcore all pitched straight at the alienated youth inside your house (or heart). Not an adolescent (arrested or otherwise)? Youll wish Fuentes and co. would grow up already.
RATING: 2.5 (out of 5)
BOX SETS
Day of the Dead
Various Artists
American beauties. And a few Canadian ones for good measure. Compiled and curated by The Nationals Aaron and Bryce Dessner, the Red Hot fundraiser Day of the Dead is probably the largest Grateful Dead tribute album in history: 59 songs by nearly that many performers, spread across five CDs that last nearly five and a half hours. Arguably, it is also the coolest compilation of its kind, thanks to a roster crammed with beloved indie artists of all stylistic stripes, with nary a major-label ringer or sore-thumb popster in sight. Something else its crammed with: Dozens of inspired reinterpretations and more than a few radical reinventions that honour the Deads restless creative spirit as much as their words and lyrics. Among the highlights: The War on Drugs breezy 80s flashback on Touch of Grey; Phosphorescent and Jenny Lewiss granola crunching Sugaree; Kurt Vile and J Mascis jangling Box of Rain; Courtney Barnetts slow-rolling New Speedway Boogie; Wilco and Bob Weirs live version of St. Stephen; Charles Bradley and Menahan Streets down n dirty Cumberland Blues; Marijuana Deathsquads noisy freakout on Truckin; Lucinda Williams dirge-like Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad; Tal Nationals lilting Eyes of the World; The Walkmens old-timey Ripple; Unknown Mortal Orchestras squiggle-funk take on Shakedown Street; Stephen Maklmus & The Jicks epic noodlefest China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider; Fed Ups punkadelic Cream Puff War; Flaming Lips interstellar voyage to Dark Star; and several superior selections from the Dessners and National. A long, strange and very satisfying trip.
When is a 40th anniversary edition not a 40th anniversary edition? When its this 40th anniversary edition of Jethro Tulls Aqualung, my friend. The main problem: Ian Anderson and the British prog-rockers landmark fourth album came out in 1971 45 years ago and was already celebrated with a 40th anniversary Special Edition in 2011. So why is it back just five years later in a so-called Adapted Edition? Well, supposedly because fans disliked the mastering on the previous go-round. So the powers that be brought in remix master Steven Wilson who has already handled several other titles in Tulls recent reissue series to give it a shot. And its hard to grumble about the results: As usual, Wilson subtly improves and cleans up the sound quality while maintaining the integrity of flute-rock classics like Cross-Eyed Mary, Hymn 43, Locomotive Breath and the title cut. Like its predecessor, this version also includes a second CD of excellent associated recordings including outtakes and the Life is a Love Song EP along with one DVD of 5.1 audio mixes, another featuring an old quad mix, hi-res flat transfers of all the music and a short promo film. And theres an 80-page book containing a 6,000 word essay, anecdotes from the bandmembers, lyrics, photos, tour itineraries and more. It doesnt have the vinyl and Blu-ray audio of the previous edition, but its been repackaged into the same book-box formula as previous reissues like WarChild and A Passion Play, so it will fit in seamlessly on your shelf. More simply: If you already own the 2011 box and arent too picky, youre good. But if youd like to upgrade your old CD or vinyl version, theres never been a better time and likely wont be until 2021.
RATING: 4.5 (out of 5)
NOW HEAR THIS
Mike Posner
At Night, Alone.
Fame is lonely. Touring is hard. And pop stardom can suck. Posner has learned those hard lessons. And on his overdue second disc, he voices them in soul-searching ballads that favour emotional honesty over commerciality. Ironically, he ends up with his most substantive album and his biggest hit in I Took a Pill in Ibiza. Looks like he wont be much happier anytime soon.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)Keith Urban
Ripcord
Remember when Keith Urban was a country singer? Well, not these days. Taking up where he left off on 2013s Fuse, the Australian hunk-turned-Idol judge continues to infuse his banjo-picked melodies and nice-guy lyrics with pop-chart elements like dance beats, hick-hop grooves, electronics and cameos by Pitbull and Nile Rodgers. Go ahead and jump.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
Meghan Trainor
Thank You
It isnt all about that bass anymore. With this eagerly anticipated follow-up to her starmaking, Grammy-nominated 2015 debut Title, Trainor embraces her inner diva with more lyrical attitude and confidence and deepens her tropical R&B and pop with a host of new collaborators who outfit her with bigger hooks, melodies and arrangements. Youre welcome.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
James McCartney
The Blackberry Train
File Under: Jumping the tracks. But in an interesting way. Paul and Lindas son changes direction and rocks out on his sophomore album, enlisting notoriously uncompromising engineer Steve Albini for numbers that add gritty guitar lines and harder sonic edges to the impeccable, timeless songcraft that clearly runs in the family. An interesting journey.
RATING: 3 (out of 5)
The Rides
Pierced Arrow
Theyre in second gear. Three years after their debut, the triumvirate of Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Electric Flag keyboardist Barry Goldberg head out for another spin with a casual blend of electric blues-rockers, mellower fare reminiscent of CSNY, and a couple of tasteful classic covers. More of a Sunday cruise than a drag race, but still swell.
RATING: 3 (out of 5)
Damon Albarn
Songs From Wonder.Land
We are through the looking glass, people. And down the digital rabbit hole thanks to Damon Albarn. The prolific polymath wrote the score for this high-tech update of Lewis Carrolls Alice and Wonderland tales so naturally, it balances showtuney numbers sung by kids against eccentric pop-rockers about avatars, reality and identity. Curiouser and curiouser.
RATING: 3 (out of 5)
Martina McBride
Reckless
Reckless? Whos she kidding? The Nashville vets 13th disc could be the least impetuous thing Martina has done. Retreating to her earnest country-ballad comfort zone after 2014s soulful Everlasting, McBride plays it safe with hired-gun hitmakers, covers of Lady A and O.A.R., and a Keith Urban duet. Its about as risky as flipping a two-headed coin.
RATING: 2 (out of 5)
Skydiggers
Here Without You: The Songs of Gene Clark
Eight Miles High and back down to earth. The Canadian roots mainstays (and producer Michael Timmins) celebrate the late great former Byrds member Clark by respectfully deconstructing eight of his classics, stripping away the folk-rock hippie jangle and recasting them as everything from bare-bones folk to experimental art-rock. Stranger than known.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
Andy Black
The Shadow Side
Back as Black. But not in Black. Lets start again: Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack changes his handle for his first solo album and changes his tune to go along with, tempering the guitar-driven glam-slam metal of his day job for a far more commercial sound based around electronics and big anthemic choruses. Why? Only his Shadow knows.
RATING: 3 (out of 5)
Niki & The Dove
Everybodys Heart is Broken Now
Well, not everybody. But someone in this female-fronted Swedish dance-pop duo seems to have been on the wrong end of a breakup. And on their second album, that translates into a ballad-heavy set that lowers the tempo and tone on their amalgam of 70s Fleetwood Mac pop and Princely 80s synth-funk. It may be a heartbreaker, but its no dealbreaker.
RATING: 3 (out of 5)
Texas Hippie Coalition
Dark Side of Black
Despite their name (and its acronym), THC are not hippies. They are a thunderingly aggressive metal band, fronted by Big Dad Ritch, a man-mountain with the vocal stylings of a Mack Truck rumbling uphill. And their fifth disc is another mammoth blast of sludgy riff-metal laced with evil lyrics about drugs, wimmen, likker and killing. Ignore them at your peril.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds
La Araa Es La Vida
What has eight legs and rules the underground? The Teotihuacan Spider Woman. Though we would also accept Kid Congo Powers and his Pink Monkey Birds, who worship the ancient Mexican goddess on their latest album when they arent bashing out noisy nuggets of garage-punk psychedelia and twang-laced Chicano-rock instrumentals. Qu chido.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
Jean-Michel Jarre
Electronica 2: The Heart of Noise
Some guys never get tired of pushing buttons. After enlisting everyone from John Carpenter to Pete Townshend for Electronica 1, Jarre doubles down with more pulsing, pumping, sweeping, bleeping, twitchy and/or glitchy synth-rock duets this time with Pet Shop Boys, Primal Scream, Peaches and even Edward Snowden. Speaking of pushing buttons.
RATING: 2 (out of 5)
Head Wound City
A New Wave of Violence
Time heals all wounds. A decade after their sole EP, noise-punk supergroup HWC starring members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blood Brothers and Locust finally reconvene. And make up for lost time with this feverishly intense collision of fuzz-grind guitars, frenzy-shriek vocals and unpredictably shifting beats. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Violence.
RATING: 4 (out of 5)
Gregory Porter
Take Me to the Alley
Is there an alley behind Easy Street? Because thats where Porter is these days, thanks to his 2013 Grammy-winning platinum release Liquid Spirit. This followup proves that was no fluke, as the California singer-songwriter takes his seductive baritone for another smooth stroll between the worlds of jazz, gospel, soul and R&B. Its right up his you know.
RATING: 4 (out of 5)
Kaytranada
99.9%
Up from the underground. Literally. Haitian-born Montreal DJ Louis (Kaytranada) Celestin reportedly still shares a basement bedroom with his brother. But his official debut discs effortlessly endearing tracks and low-key jams laced with cameos by Craig David, Anderson .Paak and AlunaGeorge, among others show his star is quickly rising. Pure joy.
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
IN THE PIPELINE
May 20
Barenaked Ladies, BNL Rocks Red Rocks
Car Seat Headrest, Teens of Denial
Eric Clapton, I Still Do
Bob Dylan, Fallen Angels
Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman
Ziggy Marley, Ziggy Marley
Mudcrutch, 2
Laura Mvula, The Dreaming Room
Blake Shelton, If Im Honest
Tiger Army, V
