Ashley McBryde treated her Trybe fan club to an intimate night of songs and stories during her “Bad Old Bar Days” concert on Friday evening (Sept. 6) at The Neon Steeple, a small intimate venue inside Eric Church’s Lower Broadway bar, Chief’s. The exclusive event was open only to members of McBryde’s fan club, The Trybe, with a livestream option available for Trybe members across the globe.
A True Connection With Her Fans
Fans who were lucky enough to score tickets found themselves living in the moment, completely unplugged, as cell phones were locked away in Yondr pouches. This gave McBryde the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind experience to truly connect with her fans, who traveled in from all over the world to be there, on a deeper level. One couple, who had met at a McBryde concert, made the trip all the way from Ireland, while a mother from Holland brought her young daughter to witness The Trybe-exclusive show.
Fans of all ages (from newborns to adults) flooded into The Neon Steeple to witness the magic of McBryde’s “Bad Old Bar Days” set. Nearly every fan in attendance was decked out in McBryde merch, whether it was a T-shirt from her official merch store or a homemade design.
The GRAMMY Award-winning country star made it very clear throughout the show that this night was all about them and showcasing her appreciation for their endless support. Throughout her set, she interacted with the crowd, calling out fans by name and recalling memories she shared with them, making the evening feel more like a family gathering of sorts rather than a concert. The bond she shared with her fans was clear and very visible throughout the entire evening.
A Unique Show Without a Set List
The was unlike a normal Ashley McBryde concert, as there was no specific set list in place for the nostalgic evening. Instead, the performance flowed organically and McBryde allowed fans to choose the songs in addition to performing a slew of covers that she played during the early days of her career, transporting fans back to what McBryde fondly refers to as the “bad old bar days.”
McBryde’s set list for the evening was the perfect blend of fan-favorite tracks, deep cuts, an unreleased song and over a dozen covers of songs by artists such as Lady Gaga, 4 Non Blondes, The Jackson Five, Dolly Parton, Don Williams, Hank Williams, Vince Gill, Fleetwood Mac, Miranda Lambert and more.
Between songs and throughout the set, McBryde shared stories that painted a vivid picture of her journey from struggling artist to country music superstar. She talked openly about her hardships, the grind of performing in dive bars, and the dedication that it took to achieve her dreams. For fans who have been with her since the beginning, this concert felt like a full-circle moment, celebrating both her past and her present.
A Spiritual Experience
The concert was more than just a performance, it was a spiritual experience and McBryde took fans to Church. The fans were so dialed into McBryde’s performance that it almost felt like she was playing a personal concert for each person in the room. With every strum of her guitar and every note she sang, McBryde had the audience completely captivated. Fans hung on to every word, drawn in by her magnetic stage presence and undeniable talent. The connection she shared with her fans that evening was a force to be reckoned with.
Adding to the nostalgia, McBryde included memorabilia from the early days of her career on stage. Her original tip jar, which was an old red gas can, sat behind her on stage, alongside vintage show posters and road cases bearing logos from previous eras of her career. These heirlooms reminded fans in attendance of how far McBryde has come.
An Epic 29-Song Set List
The night began with McBryde delivering a stunning 17-song solo set, with just an acoustic guitar and her powerful vocals. Special guest Shelly Fairchild joined McBryde for part of the performance to sing a cover of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet.” After the acoustic portion of the show, McBryde invited her band, The Deadhorses, to join her for an electric set that featured 12 more songs.
Overall, McBryde’s performance was a 29-song set made up of the perfect blend of fan-favorite hits, cover songs from her bar days, and one unreleased track. Fans were treated to McBryde a handful of McBryde’s own tunes, including “The Devil I Know,” “Gospel Night At The Strip Club,” “Voodoo Doll,” “One Night Standards,” “Play Ball” and more. She closed out the set with an epic sing-along to “Bonfire At Tina’s.”
Undeniable Bond With The Trybe
McBryde ended the show by graciously thanking fans for coming and expressing genuine gratitude for their loyalty to her and her music. The small, unplugged setting and personal moments McBryde shared with her die hard fans made the night feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
