Morgan Wade — Belly Up Tavern 11/16
I had the pleasure of attending and photographing a Lucero concert recently at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California.
The opener, Morgan Wade, was someone I had not really heard much about until I found out she was opening the show. As always, I like to check out who I am going to see before the actual show, so I did my research.
I was hooked.
Ms. Wade is old school country, with some classic rock and even a little punk rock mixed in. After listening to some of her songs I was excited to see her perform live. I was not disappointed. When she sings she reminds me of a cross between Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert with some Chrissie Hynde thrown in for good measure.
Morgan is on tour promoting her first album Reckless (produced by Paul Ebersold and Sadler Vaden) and was recently named to Pandora’s list of artists to watch in 2022.
The show starts with a darkened stage and the intro to AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells” plays as the band comes on stage.
Since we were in San Diego there were murmurs throughout the crowd that Hall of Fame pitcher for the Padres, Trevor Hoffman was coming out to introduce the band. Hell’s Bell’s was his walk
on song and I am pretty sure every baseball fan in San Diego thinks of him when they hear that intro.
Hoffman did not appear, instead a petite, blonde in jeans and a jacket took the stage. She then
proceeded to blow the roof off the house with her voice and her songs.
Songs included the title cut from her album Reckless, and the single “Last Cigarette.” She also did an amazing cover montage of Mark James’ “Suspicious Minds” (made popular by Elvis Presley) with a verse of the aforementioned AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” in the middle.
The complete setlist follows:
Reckless
Last Cigarette
Don’t Cry
When The Dust Settles
Matches and Metaphors
Take Me Away
The Night
Other Side
Suspicious Minds
Met You
Wilder Days