Milwaukee is Not Okay After Megan Moroney
The line outside The Rave began forming at 6:30 AM for an 8:00 PM show. Fans showed up in full force, decked out in camo, royal blue, sparkles, and “Am I Okay?” hats. Tents and lawn chairs wrapped around the block for Megan Moroney’s sold-out tour stop. To an unsuspecting passerby, it might’ve looked like Taylor Swift was in town, judging by the sheer devotion of the crowd. Tickets for this show had to be secured nearly a year in advance.
I, however, strolled in at 5:30 PM, bypassing the chaos thanks to VIP meet-and-greet tickets I snagged back in September. It was the most expensive concert ticket I bought this year, but worth every penny. Upon entry, VIPs received swag bags filled with a signed photo, can koozie, drinking cup, heart-shaped compact mirror, and a journal. Megan appeared in a cozy pink set, strumming her signature silver guitar. She performed an acoustic version of “Heaven By Noon” which is the only track from Am I Okay she doesn’t include in her regular setlist. She answered fan-submitted questions pulled from a hat, touching on dream collaborations with Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, favorite songs she’s written and wishes she’d written, and her love for The Eagles. She’s still keeping the color of her next album under wraps. The session wrapped with a group photo and lasted about 20 minutes.
Taken with iphoneWhen general admission was finally let in, it was a full-on stampede. The sound of white cowboy boots on the ballroom floor echoed like an elephant herd, and the high-pitched screams could’ve rivaled a horror movie. VIPs braced against the barricade. The crowd skewed young, averaging around 19, with a few parents in tow for their grade-school daughters.
Danielle Bradbery opened the show, bringing powerhouse vocals and charm. Known for winning The Voice at just 16, she’s since toured with Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldredge. Her 30-minute set included favorites like “Stop Draggin’ Your Boots,” “Sway,” and a stunning rendition of “A Special Place” which was written by Maren Morris. She even covered Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” a fun nod to Megan’s earlier mention. She closed with the empowering anthem “Worth It,” perfectly setting the tone for the night.
Taken with iphoneAs the stage crew prepped for Megan’s set, the DJ played covers she’s released but didn’t perform live, like “Who’s Your Daddy” and “What Are You Listening To?” plus “Record Year” by Eric Church, which she references in “Noah.” Megan’s walk-on hype song was “Best of Both Worlds” from Hannah Montana. The lights dimmed and a NASA-style countdown began. At zero, Megan rose from the back platform in a silver sequin dress that gave off glamorous space suit vibes. She opened with “Man on the Moon,” my personal favorite, and delivered heartbreak anthems with raw, relatable energy.
Taken with iphoneShe performed songs off her sophomore album, Am I Okay? including “Indifferent” and “No Caller ID,” then transitioned into her Lucky era with fan favorites like “I’m Not Pretty” and “Girl in the Mirror,” played on her pink and green “Cosmo and Wanda” guitars. She also included “Wonder,” her first single to country radio.
Taken with iphoneA standout moment was her mashup of “28th of June” and “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” performed while seated in a heart-shaped prop, complete with a giant bow on her outfit. She later revealed a silver bodysuit underneath, reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour aesthetic. During “Miss Universe,” Megan descended the platform steps with a bouquet of blue flowers, waving like a pageant queen. In a heartwarming moment of female empowerment, Megan took a page out of Lainey Wilson’s book, crowning a young girl on stage whose dream is to be a gymnast. She also performed her newly released “6 Months Later,” which the crowd already knew by heart.
Taken with iphone
She closed the main set with “I’ll Be Fine,” joined by her full band at center stage. For the encore, she returned in a sparkly oversized blue jersey for “Am I Okay?” Danielle Bradbery rejoined her, and confetti cannons exploded with white and blue streamers in an unforgettable finale.
Taken with iphone
In just three years, Megan Moroney has gone from playing The Rave’s basement room to selling out its 4,000-capacity ballroom. She’s headlined her own tours, opened for Kenny Chesney, and played major festivals. At this rate, her next tour might be in arenas. She’s more than earned her signature on The Rave’s haunted pool wall—and I can’t wait for her third album later this year.
