Kicking off her sold-out UK and European tour, Megan Moroney’s first time performing in Wales was nothing short of mesmerising. Welcomed to Cardiff’s Tramshed with a warm Welsh cheer from a pumped-up audience, an electrifying musical buildup to a cool-coloured silhouette emerging from the back of the stage begins the show.
The lights blossom, revealing Moroney sparkling in a dazzling sapphire ballet-style dress paired with white cowboy boots. Twirling elegantly across the stage, her signature tousled blonde hair and glittering guitar glow in the haze. Now aged 26, her songwriting career having begun at 19, Moroney’s meteoric rise is clearly only just beginning.
Blessed with a delicate balance of traditional country charm and modern flair, the self-proclaimed emo cowgirl’s setlist is full of beautifully written and relatable songs of love, heartbreak and personal growth, spanning her discography and performed to a crowd who have no trouble singing them back word for word. Not bad for someone who thought they were destined to be an accountant.
Moroney offers everything from upbeat, toe-tapping tunes, to a more stripped-back acoustic section including 28th Of June and Hope You’re Happy. Viral hit Tennessee Orange – which has racked up some 265 million streams on Spotify – and newly released album title track Am I Okay? close a seamlessly produced show.
There is genuine feeling in the way Moroney interacts with her band and shares stories with the crowd that supports her, seeking resonance with fans throughout the venue. At its core, country music is about building connections through storytelling – an art Moroney has refined with great skill, claiming “I feel like we’re building something very special together” at one point. Some say all that glitters isn’t gold – but this Georgia artist glitters, and was undeniably golden tonight.
Megan Moroney, Tramshed, Cardiff, Wed 4 Sept
words and photos JOSEPH ELIJAH
