Country Music’s Future Has A Name And It’s Megan Moroney

Fifty years ago, influential rock critic, Jon Landau attended a concert at The Harvard Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  In his review the next day he wrote the following that has become perhaps the most famous critique in music history.  "I saw my rock and roll past flash before my eyes. I saw something else: I saw rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." 

I modified this when seeing a young Eric Church, weeks after his second album, "Carolina," was released.  He took the stage at Coyote Joe's and was a combination rock star, televangelist, cult leader, and charismatic politician.  The two thousand+ people in attendance that night had an experience unlike any I'd ever witnessed at country concert.  The following Monday in this blog space I proclaimed Church to be the future of country music.  In so many ways, I was not wrong.

So, this Monday, heed my words.  On Saturday night, I was mesmerized by the future of country music from the female perspective-and maybe country music in general.  And her name is Megan Moroney.

Those that came to hear the seemingly ubiquitous "Tennessee Orange," had about a 75-minute wait through a blistering set that left all in attendance breathless.  As Megan led her band of sleeveless, male-hunk musicians (and make no mistake about it, this lady is in complete charge up there) into her second song (and current single) "I'm Not Pretty," she welcomed a packed-to-the-rafters Coyote Joe's to her "Lucky Tour" (Lucky is the title of her latest album).  I thought, "Where have I heard this before?"  Immediately the vision of Taylor Swift welcoming her audience to the Eras Tour came to mind.

If you're a female entertainer in music, you could pick worse to mimic, right?  And this was not to be the only homage to Time Magazine's Person of the Year.  Throughout the show, Moroney saluted the beyond enthusiastic audience with her hands together in the shape of a heart (noted Swift move/symbol).  Also, a Swift cover, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," is in her set.

Perhaps though, the ultimate nod to Swift came in the form of something that could not be copied.  The connection between Moroney and her fans is more than palpable.  She and her audience are emotionally invested in each other.  Moroney is captivatingly engaging, and Coyote Joe's hung on to her every word (sung or spoken).  Speaking of words, in almost 20 years of attending shows at Coyote Joe's, I've NEVER heard every word to every song being screamed back at female artist on The Country 1037 Superstage.  In fact, outside of Swift, I've never seen that-EVER.  And by the time Megan Moroney made her exit near midnight, all of us privileged to have been there were left begging for more as our collective carriages were about to revert to pumpkin status.

Towards the end of her performance, Megan sang a song that poses the question which will break down first, her "Mustang or me."  Place your bets on the Ford.  Megan Moroney is a country music thoroughbred the likes of which is rarely seen.  She's a musical Secretariat in a pink dress with a Gibson guitar and talent to burn.  And we've not seen anything yet.

Concerts are all about good vibes and enjoying great music. But sometimes, there's an annoying side to the experience: dealing with bad concert etiquette. While most attendees understand the need for respect and consideration, a few don't get it. From talking during quiet moments to excessive smartphone use, it's safe to say that not everyone gets the memo on how to keep the concert vibe alive.

With Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour breaking records and drawing massive crowds, many concertgoers have found themselves dealing with less-than-ideal behavior from their fellow music enthusiasts. In fact, videos have surfaced showcasing artists dealing with unruly fans.

Remember that incident with Cardi B? She threw a microphone into the crowd after someone chucked a drink at her during a concert. And let's not forget when Harry Styles got smacked in the eye by a piece of candy in Vienna, and Bebe Rexha needed stitches because she got hit by a mobile phone in New York. And Pink had quite the surprise when someone decided to scatter their mother's ashes on stage during her show in London. But maybe the most jaw-dropping moment was when Ava Max got slapped by a concertgoer right in the middle of her performance in Los Angeles.

Some people speculate that the extended break from live music during the pandemic might have brought in a wave of post-COVID attendees who are still learning the ropes of concert etiquette. According to the LA Times, many people link this issue to COVID-19, suggesting that the pandemic may have affected our social skills. While the pandemic did have a significant impact, the LA Times argues that it's time to stop using it as an excuse for unruly behavior, especially since by the end of 2020, COVID-19 shutdowns have ended, and restrictions have eased.

So, what are some concert no-nos that count as bad etiquette? Check out our list below.

Never throw objects, such as drinks or debris, during a concert. This can cause harm to other concertgoers and disrupt the performance. Not to mention, it's just rude. In July, singer BeBe Rexha had to get stitches after getting hit by a cellphone during her New York show.

Certain performers are open to engaging with signs displayed by fans in the audience. But oversized banners and signs can be disruptive, potentially obstructing the view for other concert attendees. Imagine dropping a bunch of cash to see your favorite artist, and all you get is a close-up of someone's giant poster. So, maybe think twice about lugging those signs along and just leave them at home. Still, it's worth noting that a massive sign isn't necessarily a concert showstopper. Take, for instance, Chris Dare and his wife Shantelle, who attended Adele's Las Vegas show in August. They held up a sign that read, "Adele, will you do our gender reveal?" To everyone's surprise, Adele invited them on stage, saying, "No one's really allowed signs in here. I'm just obsessed that you got one in. I've never done this." She then revealed the baby's gender in a viral video moment.

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Bright screens and loud notifications can be distracting. Silence your phone, and if you need to use it, step out of the concert area. This also goes for taking photos and videos. A few pics or short videos are cool, but nobody wants to watch the whole concert through your shaky camera. Plus, it can block others' views. In July, Miranda Lambert stopped her Las Vegas concert mid-song to call out fans for taking selfies.

Don't be that person who's always up and down during a concert. If you absolutely have to leave your seat, do it quietly when there's a break between songs. Think about it, every time you get up, you make a whole row stand up to let you through. So, save your bathroom breaks and drink refills for intermissions, or opt for an aisle seat if you know you'll be up and down a lot during the show. It'll help keep things smooth for everyone.

Nobody likes the person who talks loudly during the entire concert. They're the one who chats with their friends at full volume, not realizing they're annoying everyone else trying to enjoy the music. Essentially, they unintentionally disrupt the concert experience for others who just want to listen to the music without constant chatter in the background. If you want to chat, do it outside the concert area.

Excessive drinking or drug use can lead to obnoxious behavior and can be a safety concern. In a way, the concertgoer who's sloppy drunk or high is like the wild card at the concert. They add an unpredictable element to the mix. While they might be having a blast, their actions can be a distraction and annoyance to others who are trying to enjoy the music in a more composed manner.

Remember to respect people's personal space and be aware of how you move around in the crowd. Most concerts are all about dancing and having a good time, so feel free to dance the night away. Just be sure to look around and make sure you're not accidentally bumping into others while you're at it. Additionally, being considerate means refraining from pushing or shoving them to get closer to the stage.