Staff Writer Sarah Engemann’s Best Concert Experiences of 2023
This year I saw 24 shows at 15 venues in 6 states and somehow still had time for my 9-5 desk job. I saw shows from Morgan Wallen’s “One Night at a Time” tour, Ashley McBryde presents “Lindeville” at The Ryman Auditorium, Lainey Wilson dancing her butt off, Megan Moroney on her “Lucky” tour, Maren Morris right before her announcement to leave country music, and many more. Based on my concert experiences, this is my personal opinion of my favorite shows this year.
Best Female Concert - strictly based on performance
- Priscilla Block
- Ashley McBryde
- Megan Moroney
- Carly Pearce
- Lainey Wilson
WINNER – LAINEY WILSON
There’s a reason why Lainey Wilson won entertainer of the Year at the CMAs this year along with several performance/event of the year awards. Her dance moves and stage presence have greatly improved since seeing her open for Morgan Wallen in 2019. She played most of her songs off “Bell Bottom Country” which won CMA and ACM Album of the Year. The crowd knew every word to “Heart Like a Truck” and “Things a Man Oughta Know.” I predict she will be doing headlining arena shows very shortly.
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Best Male Concert - strictly based on performance
- Russell Dickerson
- Kameron Marlowe
- Drew Parker
- Chase Rice
- Matt Stell
WINNER – KAMERON MARLOWE
I have to go with my boy Kam. He reminds me of Eric Church in the way he emphasizes and extends notes that you just don’t get listening to his recordings. He puts so much passion into his performances. His rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues” is one of the best I’ve ever heard. I can say I called it when it happened, but Kameron Marlowe will be a Male Vocalist of the Year and/or Entertainer of the Year at some point in his career.
Best Overall Experience – based on performance, venue, and crowd
- Larry Fleet
- Ashley McBryde
- Brothers Osborne
- Drew Parker
- Matt Stell
WINNER – ALL
It is very rare now a days to get a respectful crowd, a good view, and an A+ performer. Somehow these 5 shows have managed to accomplish that.
I have seen Larry Fleet 5 times now and every single time the crowd has been the most respectful people I’ve ever stood around. This year I saw him twice this year and both times I was front row surrounded by people who kept to themselves and kept their eyes on the stage. I could listen to his Chris Stapleton like voice all day. Larry’s bassist, Crazy Legs, is the real star of the show with his dance moves though.
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I saw Ashley McBryde twice this year as well. The first time was in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium. This was my first time in the mother church of country music. I sat in a church pew and watched Ashley perform her “Lindeville” album in full with most of the collaborators on the project. It was more like a musical than a concert, but that didn’t stop women from throwing their bras on the stage for “Brenda Put Your Bra On.”
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The Brothers Osborne performed an acoustic set at Joe’s on Weed Street. They are another group that I think they are best experienced up close and personal. TJ Osborne’s voice is like holy water running through your veins. Even though I was not front row for this show, the crowd was so respectful that I didn’t have to fight for a good view. That was the loudest I have ever heard a crowd at Joe’s.
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Drew Parker brought his first headlining tour to Carol’s Pub in Chicago. I was so close to the stage I was practically looking up his nose. He sounds better in person than he does on the radio and he stayed until the very last person got an autograph or a picture. He is one of the nicest artists I’ve ever met. I walked away on a high with my PBR hat signed.
Matt Stell played at Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville Chicago. I won my way into the event sponsored by Busch Light. It was a free show with free Busch Light merchandise and drinks. It can’t get much better than that. But wait it does. I had so much room to dance and because you had to win your way in, everyone in the crowd was truly a fan of his and into the show. Matt stayed after the show to sign autographs and meet everyone. And most importantly I got to meet my country crush.
Best Underdog – Someone I didn’t know if I would like seeing prior to their show
- Ingrid Andress
- Kylie Morgan
- Chase Rice
- Restless Road
- Bailey Zimmerman
WINNER – CHASE RICE
I almost didn’t buy tickets for Chase Rice, but I am happy I did. Before seeing him, I felt his music was radio music and didn’t fit him. I don’t think his heart and soul were in it. He proved me wrong by performing his latest album “I Hate Cowboys and All Dogs Go to Hell.” He told stories, he made jokes and interacted with the audience. He looked like he enjoyed performing. He was just as good seeing him open for Old Dominion later in the year. I would go see him again on another headlining tour.
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Best Up and Comer – best artists that are openers and/or headlining small tours
- Dylan Marlowe
- Wyatt McCubbin
- Kylie Morgan
- Meghan Patrick
- Karley Scott Collins
WINNER – DYLAN MARLOWE
I first saw Dylan Marlowe open for Dylan Scott and he was one of my favorite openers of 2022. I immediately bought tickets for his headlining tour that kicked off in Chicago. He played songs off of his debut EP and at the time unreleased “Boys Back Home” which he put out with Dylan Scott later in the year. The crowd favorites were “I’ll Keep the Country” and “Record High.” At one point he was standing on the bar touching the ceiling. He has big venue energy.
Best Duo/Group Performance
- Brothers Osborne
- Big & Rich
- Old Dominion
- Restless Road
- Seaforth
WINNER – BROTHERS OSBORNE
Brothers Osborne was just as good as I remember them being in 2014 when they were openers for Little Big Town. They played an acoustic set at Joe’s on Weed Street. I stood in awe watching two giants shredding guitar solos up close and personal. That was the loudest crowd I have ever seen at Joe’s. They performed several audience requests, their hits, and a few off of their self-titled album that came out in September. TJ and John Osborne are incredibly talented and I hope they continue to gain the recognition they deserve.
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Best First Time Seeing Them
- Russell Dickerson
- Ashley McBryde
- Megan Moroney
- Drew Parker
- Chase Rice
WINNER – RUSSELL DICKERSON
I saw 24 artists/groups I had never seen before and out of those 24 Russell Dickerson pleasantly surprised me that I had to see him twice this year. That show had singing, dancing, outfit changes, amazing visuals, and a confetti cannon. Russell has some of the best stage presence I’ve ever seen. His emphasis on power poses is such a small part of the show but makes a huge impact from an audience perspective. He packs his set with as many upbeat songs as he can. He gets his crowd going and makes the show feel like a party.
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Best Opener
- Ingrid Andress
- Hardy
- Kylie Morgan
- Meghan Patrick
- Restless Road
WINNER – HARDY
How is Hardy still an opener is my question? He has headliner energy. This man has so much talent in a single strand of his greasy hair. I am happy he is starting to tour on his own again rather than fall in the shadows of the headliner. Watching him perform you can tell he put his heart and soul into his “Mockingbird and the Crow” project. He is one of the few people I can say can pull off playing in a large stadium/arena. If Hardy was not in this category, I’d have to go with Kylie Morgan as my runner-up (I also don’t have a good photo from Hardy so here’s one of Kylie. Enjoy!).
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Best Crowd
- Larry Fleet
- Megan Moroney
- Ashley McBryde
- Brothers Osborne
- Morgan Wallen
WINNER – LARRY FLEET
The more concerts I go to, the more I’ve noticed how much a crowd can impact your overall experience. I cannot tell you how many times I have had an experience ruined by a tall person wearing a big hat standing in front of me, an obnoxious drunk person continuously bumping into everyone, someone near you having to move past you every 5 minutes to use the bathroom, people trying to rush the stage mid-show, or the crowd not paying attention to the artist. I actually have a list of artists I will not see because of how bad the crowd is. But, on the flip side I have a list of artists who have the best crowds, and at the top of this list is Larry Fleet. I have seen Larry 5 times and every single time I have walked away thinking that has been the most respectful audience. They are polite and friendly, give you enough space, and keep their phones in their pockets when Larry is on stage. They have a good time while remaining considerate and I can’t help but think that reflects Larry and his music.
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Best Outfit
- Priscilla Block
- Kylie Morgan
- Megan Moroney
- Maren Morris
- Lainey Wilson
WINNER – PRISCILLA BLOCK
I gotta go with my girl Priscilla on this. I love her style. Neon meets sparkle, meets bad girl energy. I’ve never met anyone who can make a construction vest look as good as she does. Simple yet blingy. I love dressing up for her shows. You can shop some of her styles on Shein.
Best Venue of the Year
- Carol’s Pub (Chicago, Illinois)
- Joe’s on Weed Street (Chicago, Illinois)
- MGM Music Hall at Fenway (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Old Crow Smokehouse (Chicago, Illinois)
- The Ryman (Nashville, Tennessee)
WINNER – CAROL’S PUB
My favorite venue this year was Carol’s Pub in Chicago. It is the smallest of the Joe’s on Weed Street venues holding about 250 people. I saw Drew Parker and Dylan Marlowe there on their first headlining tours. Dylan kicked off his tour there. Because it is so small, you are close to the stage even if you are up against the back wall. They serve food and the drinks are cheaper than a normal concert venue. There are options to reserve a booth or table if you do not want to stand for a whole show. I loved all the Christmas lights lining the bar along with eh neon signs. The lineup at Carol’s this year has been incredible including Hannah Dasher, Austin Snell, and Kylie Morgan. It’s a great place to see up-and-coming artists in an intimate setting.
That’s a wrap for 2023! But I have a lot of great shows coming up including Nate Smith, Aerosmith, Sam Hunt, Kylie Morgan, and Luke Combs so keep an eye out for my concert reviews in 2024.
