Morgan Wade may only be 30 years old, but lyrically and vocally she carries the weight and wisdom of someone twice her age. Listening to her music, you’d swear she came up alongside country legends like Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. Her voice feels tailor-made for country music, rich, raw, and filled with emotion.
Born in Floyd, Virginia, in 1994, Wade’s journey to country stardom has been anything but conventional. Growing up in a small Appalachian town after her parents divorced when she was five, she spent considerable time with her grandparents who took her to local bluegrass events. She graduated from Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Virginia, with a bachelor’s in exercise science and a minor in public health in 2016, initially pursuing a path far from music before discovering her calling as a songwriter during her freshman year of college.
Two years ago, Wade first won over Montreal at LASSO Festival, and this week she returned to play a small, intimate show of about 100 fans. The setting created something special, an evening where Wade could not only sing but also interact with the crowd, sharing stories, answering questions, and laughing along with longtime fans who clearly knew every detail of her career.
She wasn’t alone on stage. Guitarist and performing partner Clint Wells played a huge role in shaping the night’s sound, weaving perfectly with Wade’s gritty vocals. Wells, who has been Wade’s longtime collaborator and touring bandmate since their early days, also produced her latest album “The Party Is Over (recovered)”. And while the music was the focus, Wade’s storytelling extended beyond her songs. Her beloved dog, Chop (who she jokes is the reincarnation of a 1970s gangster) got plenty of love from the audience, adding charm and humour to the set.
The crowd itself was a mix of young and old, a living reminder of how wide her music’s reach is. Cowboy boots and hats dotted the room, including my own, which felt perfectly at home in the atmosphere. Wade has always connected with older audiences, describing herself as “an old soul trapped in a young body” who has always felt she had more to learn from those with greater life experience.
Musically, Wade straddled the line between country and rock, delivering a setlist that felt both authentic and edgy. Her latest album showcases her ability to move through musical styles with ease, from guitar-heavy “twang-punk scorcher” tracks to tender, vulnerable ballads. Currently supporting major acts like Shinedown on their 2025 tour, Wade has also recently wrapped an opening stint with Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett on the TRIPLE MOON TOUR. She closed with her breakout single, “Wilder Days,” and the moment was pure magic. The entire room sang it back to her, every lyric echoing as if it belonged to each of us.
Wade’s third album “Obsessed” has been critically acclaimed, with No Depression celebrating her as “without a doubt one of the finest singers in country and Americana music today”. Her debut “Reckless” was declared the Best Country Album of the Year by Rolling Stone upon release, followed by “Psychopath,” which garnered attention from major publications including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times.
Having toured with the likes of Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, and Luke Combs, Wade continues to build her reputation as one of country music’s most compelling live performers. Montreal welcomed her back with open arms, and if this show proved anything, it’s that we’ll be ready for her whenever she returns.
Photos – Danny Donovan
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