Max McNown Makes It Up to a Sold Out Premiere at The Atlantis
Max McNown performed his debut at The Atlantis in Washington, DC on Friday March 28th, a makeup date from his show on February 16 earlier this year due to an illness. I hadn’t heard much of McNown before being asked to cover this show, and I’m kicking myself because of it. This 24-year-old has all the star power of an established artist yet the down home charm of a small town country boy.
Opening for McNown was Americana singer/songwriter barrett. From Boone, North Carolina, his work reflects the simplicity and deep emotional connection that his hometown elicits. Like a baby Zach Bryan, barrett’s lyricism is textured and rugged while remaining soft and tender as his powerful vocals shake the room. Also similar to up and coming soulful Americana artist Nolan Taylor, barrett brings our emotions to a boil as they bubble and burst at the surface. Case in point, I started crying behind my camera as he belted out his single “Solid Ground,” of course about love lost. It gets us all.
Correcting our pronunciation of Appalachian ahead of his upcoming album of the same name, he noted it was App-uh-lachian not App-ay-lachian. Born and bred in the region, I would take his word. He also promoted his family’s honey company by selling mini bottles of their honey shaped like barrett bears. barrett’s moody mountain music is ideal for getting deep in your feels, whether those feels are bone aching sadness or…well mostly it’s this crushing malaise that he elicits so well. The hope is in his performance knowing he too has come out the other side. He continues to tour ahead of his album release on May 30th. Make sure to check him out now because I don’t think you could barrett if you missed out on this powerhouse. https://linktr.ee/barrett.c
Max McNown is keeping the feeling of being 23 alive. Why am I hearing him for the first time but also for the thousandth time? He taps into the hopeful angst that someone only 23 still has. His music sounds like a sunrise: so much still to do with the excitement of not knowing what will happen. A sugar coated Warren Zeiders in his thigh hugging black Wranglers and boyish grin, McNown is forging his own path and taking advantage of the digital age. Similar to Zeiders, McNown blew up on Tik Tok after videos of him busking in Southern California quickly amassed a sizeable following online.
The sold out crowd was mesmerized during his 15-song set, singing along to most songs and shouting “I love yous” any chance they could. One person referred to him as “Cutie patootie”! Not your typical crowd for two reasons: country artists usually draw many more cowboys and such a young artist generally brings out younger fans. Not only were his fans varied in profession and apparel but in age as well; I witnessed groups of middle aged men and women joyfully singing just as loud as the high school girls in the front row. What this signals to me is that he has raw talent and is genuinely preserving who he is above stardom, and that kind and human energy is palpable.
McNown highlights the vigor of youth, having only taught himself guitar in the past few years, taking a chance leaving his home in rural Oregon for a move to Southern California to begin his journey as a singer/songwriter, and releasing his first song only two years ago. He hit the ground running and already has three albums out within about a year and a half, not to mention his EPs, singles, and covers. His discography is quickly becoming prolific. Like one of his musical influences, Zach Bryan, whose song “God Speed” he covered and garnered massive praise on social media.
His latest single “Call Me If You Miss Me” is out now as he continues on his sold out debut headlining tour overseas. To much excitement of the crowd at The Atlantis, he joyfully shared that he was already booked for the bigger sister venue at 9:30 Club in the fall. Check Max McNown out now ahead of him selling out stadiums, which is 100% going to happen.
Find more details and tour dates here: https://www.maxmcnown.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Extra Innings Festival 2025
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