Nate Smith Live at Buckhead Theatre Atlanta Review | Josh Ross & Brandon Wisham Opening

Nate Smith has quickly grown into a household name since the release of his first hit single, “Whiskey on You,” back in 2022. I had the privilege of interviewing him four years ago, so finally seeing him live for the first time was something special. Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta was packed full. People weren’t casually wandering in; they were excited, talking about songs, and grabbing merch early—the kind of energy that makes a night feel big before it even starts.

First up was Savannah, Georgia native Brandon Wisham. Relatively new to the scene, Brandon had concertgoers who had never heard of him instantly following his music and asking for selfies as he stood in the wings with the crowd after his set. There’s something about his style that feels effortless—laid-back but still polished. He’s got that “you’ll be hearing more from me soon” kind of presence, and Atlanta definitely gave him a warm welcome. Noting that this tour was the first time he’s really ever played with a full band, his set and energy were impressive, and he definitely seemed like the stage was made for him.

Josh Ross came out next and immediately turned it up a notch. His sound leans a little more rock, and it hit perfectly in that room. The crowd got louder, more engaged, and by the middle of his set people were already singing along like he was the headliner. Ending his set with some early 2000s sing-alongs didn’t hurt either, as he started the multi-song mashup with Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” and moved through a variety of covers that had everyone moving.

Then Nate Smith took the stage—there was no slow build; he just came out swinging. The crowd was all in from the first song, and he fed off that energy the entire time. His voice live is no joke—it’s got this rough, powerful tone that feels even bigger in person than it does on recordings. Just four songs in, Nate told the crowd that he loves being on the floor with them, asking if it was okay if he came off stage to hang out for “Whiskey on You.” What made the interaction extra special was that he didn’t just stay close to the stage—he walked the entire venue, all the way to the back, singing with his fans and taking photos with them along the way. That kind of personal interaction is something that’s been lost among so many artists; as if I wasn’t already a huge fan of his, that made me respect him even more.

The set itself was a great mix. You had the songs everyone came to hear—the ones that got the loudest reactions—plus a few moments that leaned more into that country-rock crossover he does so well. Nothing felt dragged out or like filler; it kept moving, kept building, and kept the crowd locked in.

What really stood out, though, was how natural he felt on stage. He wasn’t overly polished or scripted—just talking to the crowd, cracking jokes, and genuinely enjoying being there. In a venue like Buckhead Theatre, that kind of connection goes a long way.