Morgan Wallen Dangerous Tour, Nashville, March 16, 2021 Review: Dawson Haywood

​It has been a while since I had gone to any concert. The last one I went to was back in either 2011 or 2012, whenever American Idol went on tour after Scotty McCreery's season. My Mawmaw was a huge Scotty fan and wanted to take one of her Grandkids to the American Idol concert in Time Warner Cable Arena (Now Spectrum Center). I have never been the concert-going type, so even when I was old enough to go myself, I didn't go. I liked sports too much and thought my money was better spent watching a Hornets team that could never reach the playoffs. Boy, was I wrong. 

I would have never bought tickets to any concert if it hadn't been for my Fiancée, who, since we started dating, had always said she wanted to see Morgan Wallen in concert. Purchasing good tickets for such a concert was not in the realm of possibility until I started making enough that the sting of the purchase would be at a minimum. I am blessed that I could afford some of the best seats in the arena for this concert. I wanted my first concert in ten years to be done right. Needless to say, every dime I spent to go to this concert was beyond worth it. 

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The night started with Sydney and I arriving at Bridgestone Arena early since I had purchased VIP Lounge Passes. Unfortunately, going to this concert was part of Sydney's 20th birthday, and though there were free drinks, which is really why anybody goes to a VIP Lounge come to find out, the poor girl was unable to enjoy everything the VIP Lounge had to offer. Nevertheless, it was cool to see Morgan Wallen's actual awards for each song on the Dangerous Album and other Morgan Wallen memorabilia. I would highly recommend purchasing VIP Lounge passes for groups of people 21+. 

Since there was food and bulking season is not quite over yet, I had to try the barbecue and the desserts provided in the lounge before heading to our seats. So, with a full belly and some Jack Daniels running through my bloodstream, we take our seats. First up on stage is Larry Fleet. I wish I had done a little more homework on him because songs like "Where I Find God" and "Mix 'Em With Whiskey" lead me to believe that this is just the start for Fleet. 

Next on the itinerary for the Night was Hardy. My opinion on Hardy is critical, but though it is a personal opinion, I'm sure many could agree with me. Songs like "GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL," "ONE BEER," and "He Went To Jared" are easily some of the most well-written songs for music written in this country music era. But, on the other hand, songs like "REDNECKER," "UNAPOLOGETICALLY COUNTRY AS HELL," and "4X4" are made for those boys in High School that parked in the back of the school parking lot, wore camo in at least two articles of clothing that have never been worn for hunting every day, and tried chewing tobacco once and thinks they're the shit for it. The "tryhards," if you will. 

His performance of the night can back up that opinion. The songs that had more thought in them were performed as amazingly as expected. "GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL" nearly brought me to tears, and I'm not sorry for it. Unfortunately, the other songs made me feel like I was at a heavy metal or a screamo concert, not a country music concert. It also did not help that he was wearing Nike Shoes and not Cowboy Boots or literally anything else other than Nikes. It's Hardy and had I listened to his music more, I would've been more prepared. I'm not saying his performance was bad, it just was not my speed. 

It's time. The reason we bought the tickets months ago is finally here. The lights went dark, and the roar of the crowd was almost deafening. The anticipation builds, then, coming up from the stage, is Morgan Wallen on the piano singing "Sand in my Boots" for a sold-out Bridgestone Arena. The choir of 20,000 people singing every word to a song blew my mind. It was the first time I had ever experienced something like that. 

Through the night, our favorite songs, "Whiskey Glasses," "7 Summers," "Dangerous," and so many more were performed, and the choir of 20,000 did not miss a beat. Morgan brought out several guests, including Ernest, Hardy, and Jimmie Allen. But perhaps the highlight of the night was when he brought out Ronnie Freakin' Dunn to sing "Neon Moon." At this point, I knew this was not going to be my last concert.

It is no surprise that my favorite song performed of the night was "Cover Me Up." I have always thought that was Wallen's best song, and I'm not an expert, but it sounds smart, because it shows his range. Anybody that has heard the song probably knows what I'm talking about when I say that, but again, I am no expert. 

I think what surprised me most was that with each song he sang, I felt some feeling or emotion. It's one thing to hear Wallen on the radio, but it's another thing to hear him in person. Though 20,000 people were packed into the arena, his performance made you feel like he was there to perform for you and you only. The whole concert was a work of art, and I can easily say every dime spent to go to this concert was well worth it.

Hopefully, Morgan Wallen continues making amazing music and coming back to Nashville. This concert has gotten me very excited to go to future concerts, and I can certainly say that I will be going to another Morgan Wallen concert. This concert has single-handedly changed my perspective on concerts.