As another great year comes to an end for the Country music industry we thought it would be good to look back on the year and reminisce about all the great live shows we’ve seen over the course of 2023.
From festival sets to arenas, from muddy fields to small clubs, Country music in its live form continued to flourish in the UK this year so it was a hard choice for TeamEFCountry to pin down the best moments but we did it. So, let us present to you the 10 best concerts we saw in 2023.
Kip Moore, Birmingham, UK
Digbeth lights up the spring rain attempting to dampen a patient snake queue; 30 minutes until my third of four Kip shows that week (how many did you attend?) and it’s about to be the best, beating even Hamburg, Cologne and Highways Festival. In the dark room we make it to the front left side and the lovely people around us give us loads of space for us to just dance and enjoy one of the best live bands I’ve seen in thirty years. A new guitarist (Hank) and pianist (Will) have joined the band and they take it to another level musically. (Emma Jordan)
Stephen Wilson Jr. Highways Festival, Royal Albert Hall
The second music man I’ve run for (Kip, C2C, 2015; if you know you know). We’re just finishing up tea at a Kensington Thai restaurant, when my timing Tweet is answered; Highways starts in 10 minutes and SWJ is on first. We’re 15 minutes away. Made it to the RAH floor seats as the lights went down. 45 minutes of resounding sound went by too quickly, during an incredibly difficult time for artist and fan. Absolute wall of beautiful noise, in an iconic venue, that ricochets through the body and makes you crave more. (Emma Jordan)
Chapel Hart, The Long Road Festival
On a break from the Rhinestone stage, we were headed to the food trucks for Japanese food. Except Chapel Hart was pounding the Front Porch with their sass and incredible vocals, making us kick ourselves for missing their after party the night before. Food can wait. Twenty minutes later the music landscape had shifted again in the UK, for the absolute best and they were the band everyone was talking about. Can’t wait to see these lasses own the 02 arena at C2C 2024. (Emma Jordan)
Drake Milligan, C2C Festival, O2 Arena, London
Wherever Milligan played across this iconic weekend he slayed. Whether it was on the Indigo stage to a packed house or holed up in the tiny All-Bar-One third floor venue after midnight on the Friday night, it didn’t matter. His infectious brand of Texan honky tonk went down a treat and it’s no wonder that the organisers have invited him back for the 2024 festival, from the main stage this time! (James Daykin)
Kelsea Ballerini, O2 Institute, Birmingham
Using personal turbulence to fuel her creative impulses, Kelsea Ballerini took her artistry up a level in 2023 and that was reflected in her live shows too. A perfectly planned, balanced and executed set in Birmingham meant that the crowd was eating out of the palm of her hand. Lighter moments were balanced by the more serious, painful songs from her recent ‘Rolling up the Welcome Mat’ project and throughout Ballerini emoted with a warmth, charm and personality that was a privilege to be around. (James Daykin)
Jackson Dean, The Garage, London
This rising artist made it his mission to impress the UK in 2023 with various visits across the Atlantic. His solo tour in the wake of an appearance at The Long Road festival was our favourite. Playing a small club on a hot, sweaty night in London is never easy but Dean owned the stage with his brand of fiery, Country Rock from beginning to end. The new songs he played in his set suggest that this isn’t just a flash in the pan, either! (James Daykin)
Shane Smith & the Saints, The Long Road Festival
Making their UK debut in the Interstate Tent at the festival, Shane Smith & the Saints showed everybody what we’d only previously seen & heard on the Yellowstone TV show: a band that plays with a passion & fire. Furious fiddles and emotionally impactful vocals from Smith are the driving force behind this powerful live outfit and we can’t wait to see them again at the Highways festival at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2024. (James Daykin)
Old Crow Medicine Show, Eventim Apollo, London
Old Crow Medicine Show gave themselves a very tough act to follow after their C2C set in March at this headline London show but they absolutely delivered in spades. Their energy on stage was absolutely through the roof, their harmonies were as tight as ever and there’s absolutely no doubt that they’re one of the most incredibly musically talented acts out there in any genre. The whole evening was an utter joy from start to finish. (Laura Cooney)
Luke Combs, O2 Arena, London
Luke Combs delivered an excellent performance in London as he wrapped up his European tour in the Autumn. It showed why he’s become the biggest star in country music as well as being able to cross over into the mainstream. He’s got one of the most powerful voices in the genre and every time I see him live he seems to come on leaps and bounds as an entertainer. It takes real skill to hold an audience of 20,000 people in the palm of your hand without flashy sets or big performances, and yet he does it with absolute aplomb and kept the entire O2 completely enthralled throughout. (Laura Cooney)
Zach Bryan, Islington Assembly Hall, London
Zach Bryan absolutely lived up to the hype and anticipation that meant tickets were like gold dust for these London shows. It was truly one of those nights where the relationship between artist and fans is on full show, with Bryan feeding off the energy of the crowd and absolutely giving it his all on stage. He showed his amazing lyrical skills as well as his impressive vocals and top-notch musicianship throughout, and it all made for a spectacular night that will live long in many country fans’ memory. (Laura Cooney)
Morgan Wallen, O2 Arena, London
Morgan Wallen showed why he’s become such a huge star in such a relatively short space of time. He’s got a real sense of showmanship about him that brings his songs to life when they’re performed live, along with great energy on stage and an undeniable connection with the audience, and I also enjoyed that he wasn’t afraid to show off different sides of his sound and influences. Given the speed at which this show sold out I think Wallen will definitely come back soon. And in that case, make sure you snap up tickets whilst you can when he does! (Laura Cooney)
