Veteran Nashville collective Old Dominion have long stood among country’s most inventive and beloved bands, blending sharp songwriting, polished harmonies, and a knack for genre-bending hooks. Formed by seasoned creators Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung and Whit Sellers, the band first made a mark writing hits for artists like Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and The Band Perry before launching their own performing career. Their 2015 debut ‘Meat and Candy' delivered instant classics like ‘Break Up with Him' and since then they’ve racked up multiple ACM and CMA group awards, all while evolving their sound across albums like ‘Happy Endings' and ‘Time, Tequila & Therapy.'
Their latest album, ‘Barbara,' sees Old Dominion leaning deeply into reflection and vulnerability without losing the buoyant spirit that defined their rise. Our review called it “a deeply personal and emotionally resonant record that captures the band at their most reflective and mature, without losing the buoyant spirit that made them chart-toppers in the first place.” (Read right here) The 13-track collection weaves together themes of identity, loss, love and legacy with the melodic, guitar-driven sound fans know and trust — and now, last night, in London, they brought ‘Barbara' to life under the lights of a UK concert crowd.
Old Dominion’s sold-out London show tonight was nothing short of a triumphant homecoming for Nashville’s modern country kings. Bursting onto the stage to thunderous cheers, the band launched straight into ‘Coming Home' amid flashing lights and clapping hands. The energy was electric from the first note, with frontman Matt Ramsey’s Springsteen-esque harmonica adding a rich, soulful layer to the song’s big guitars and soaring chorus. “How you feeling out there?” Ramsey grinned, soaking up the applause before proudly declaring it their biggest show of the European tour — a statement that drew an even louder roar from the adoring crowd.
Without missing a beat, they rolled into the breezy, beach-inspired ‘No Hard Feelings.' The song’s sunny melody and lilting groove had the audience swaying and singing along as Ramsey swapped his harmonica for a xylophone, tapping it after each chorus with playful flair. It set the tone for the evening — a celebration of joy, connection and effortless musical chemistry. Then came the moment that sent the crowd into overdrive: ‘Break Up With Him,' their breakout hit, delivered with pitch-perfect harmonies and irresistible swagger. By the third chorus, the crowd had taken full control, raising the roof in euphoric unison.
The set continued to blend old favourites with fresh material, showcasing a band still evolving while staying true to their sound. ‘Talk Country,' one of the standout new tracks from new album ‘Barbara,' thundered through the venue with chugging guitars and pounding drums — a reminder that Old Dominion can rock as hard as they can groove. ‘How Good Is That?' followed in a burst of upbeat energy, its snappy lyrics and feel-good harmonies creating one giant party atmosphere. Ramsey, ever the charismatic showman, cheekily pointed to guitarist Brad Tursi during the chorus and changed the line to “How Good is Brad?” — to delighted laughter from the crowd.
That warmth carried into one of the night’s emotional peaks: ‘No Such Thing as a Broken Heart.' Ramsey’s introduction — “It’s hard to be a person these days” — resonated deeply before the band delivered one of their best-loved songs with heartfelt precision. The performance earned a standing ovation, the audience singing every word back. New track ‘Making Good Time' kept the good vibes flowing, its anthemic chorus and searing guitar solo giving it an extra edge live — louder and heavier than it is on record and utterly infectious.
When the stage lights dimmed to a white spotlight, the mood shifted for ‘Can’t Get You' — their heaviest number of the night. The band tore through it with raw passion, Ramsey hollering his heart out while Geoff and Brad dropped to the floor, shredding side by side like 80s rock gods. From there, ‘Make It Sweet' reignited the crowd’s collective joy, ending with a sprawling Springsteen-style jam that blurred the line between artist and audience. “Are you feeling glad to be alive?” Ramsey asked — and the deafening cheers that followed gave him his answer.
A much loved cover brought good times and nostalgia. ‘Save It For a Rainy Day,' the hit they wrote for Kenny Chesney, saw Ramsey and Tursi trade verses to huge cheers, before ‘My Heart Is a Bar' brought the first half of the show to a reflective close. The four bandmates huddled together, arms around each other, singing a cappella — a tender, human moment amid the chaos. What followed was a charming requests segment, with fans shouting out and waving signs. Deep cuts like ‘Dirt on a Road' and ‘Said Nobody' made surprise appearances, before Ramsey delivered a moving rendition of new song ‘Man or the Song,' reflecting on playing the same stage Springsteen once did — a moment of vulnerability that left the room hushed as did the moving speech about their songwriting and what ‘Man or the Song' meant to them that preceded it.
The emotional core carried into ‘Written in the Sand,' a bluesy, heavy version punctuated by a stunning guitar solo from Tursi. The second half of the set was really ignited by ‘Snapback,' whose opening “woh-ohs” triggered a massive singalong and a cascade of energy that powered the final stretch. ‘Hotel Key' followed in a burst of joy — one fan even tossed a hotel key card onstage — and new tune ‘Me Most Nights' kept the slick, radio-ready momentum going. Then came ‘One Man Band,' introduced with a knowing smile from Ramsey: “Seems like you’ve been waiting for this one.” Backed by Geoff Sprung’s warm double bass, the song transformed midway into a reggae-tinged reimagining before returning to its soaring finale — a true standout moment.
As the set reached its peak, ‘Memory Lane' and ‘Song for Another Time' closed things out with fire, fun and gratitude. Ramsey pogoed across the stage, Tursi’s guitar howled, and the crowd roared every lyric as if willing the night never to end. The encore — a heartfelt ‘Goodnight Music City,' paying tribute to Nashville’s beauty and blemishes alike, and the riotously fun ‘I Was on a Boat That Day' — perfectly encapsulated Old Dominion’s balance of meaning and mischief. “We’re coming back!” Ramsey promised, eyes shining, as he dared the crowd to meet them at the O2 Arena next time they return!
In the end, Old Dominion’s London show wasn’t just a concert — it was a masterclass in musicianship, warmth and connection. Every song, old or new, radiated positivity and authenticity. Matt Ramsey proved himself the ultimate frontman: funny, open and endlessly engaging, while Brad Tursi’s guitar work was nothing short of spectacular. Together with their bandmates, they delivered a performance that reminded everyone why they’re among Nashville’s finest exports. Uplifting, joyous and overflowing with heart — this was a night that left every fan smiling, singing, and utterly connected to what it is within ourselves that makes us human.
Setlist: 1. Coming Home 2. No Hard Feelings 3. Break Up With Him 4. Talk Country 5. How Good is That 6. No Such Thing as a Broken Heart 7. Making Good Time 8. Stars in the City 9. Can't Get You 10. Make it Sweet 11. Save it For a Rainy Day 12. My Heart is a Bar 13. Dirt on a Road 14. Said Nobody 15. Man or the Song 16. Written in the Sand 17. Snapback 18. Hotel Key 19. Me Most Nights 20. One Man Band 21. Memory Lane 22. Song for Another Time 23. Goodnight Music City 24. I Was on a Boat That Day Date: 29th October Venue: Eventim Apollo, London
