Photos and concert review by Kelsey Stanger
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, Atlantic City, NJ - Aug 30, 2024
Koe Wetzel’s “Damn Near Normal” tour brought the Texas country music scene to Jersey. With Dylan Wheeler and Treaty Oak Revival as openers, Wetzel’s bill consisted entirely of Texas based bands, filling the Hard Rock Arena wall to wall with boots, cowboy hats, and mullets for the October 30th show.
The crowd quickly turned rowdy, flinging half filled cups of beer through the air, soaking the audience as well as the stage for the entirety of the show. As the performers dogged flying cups and crew members periodically snuck out to dry the stage, the Atlantic City fans gave these southern men a taste of the east coast.
During his set, Koe joked that he “got off the bus and saw three men shooting up and then one got stabbed,” referencing the crime and drug problem in AC. Wetzel also commented on the entire room smelling like weed saying he always forgets it’s legal in the states up here.
From start to finish, Wetzel’s set delivered a high energy and perfectly messy performance in the best way. Anyone unfamiliar with Koe might think they’ve stumbled into a pure rock and roll concert if it wasn’t for the southern drawl that showcased itself as the singer spoke to the audience between songs.
The perfect mix of rock and roll and country with solid, strong live vocals that sounded as if they were stripped right off the artists recordings puts Koe in an entirely different league than many country artists today.
Set included: “9 Lives”, “April Showers,” “Forever,” “Good Die Young,” “Ragweed,” “Casamigos,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Drunk Driving,” “Damn Near Normal,” “Creeps,” “High Road,” and “Something to Talk About” among others.
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