Anticipation was palpable at the Canopy Club for this sold-out show, where fans packed the venue well before the lights dimmed for the opener. The lineup promised an intriguing exploration of the evolving pop-country genre, featuring up-and-comer Matt Schuster to set the stage for the headliner, Jessie Murph. Sold-out shows can be electric, transcendent communal events, or they can be shitshows. In my experiences at The Canopy Club, they are adept at handling capacity crowds, and once again they succeed in providing the amount of manpower to ensure everyone enjoyed their evening to the fullest.
The stage welcomed Matt Schuster and his band — including a keyboardist, guitarist, and the modern twist of a laptop playing tracks of drum sounds instead of a live drummer. I give them credit for not hiding the fact we weren’t seeing everything we were hearing, but it was a tad cheesy nonetheless. Kicking off with a Billy Joel cover, Schuster immediately showcased his adeptness at straddling the genres of pop and country. His cover of Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl” further underlined his genre-bending prowess, seamlessly transitioning into his originals that nudged the boundaries of country music with a pop sensibility. Schuster was well-received, but definitely not the act this crowd packed Canopy Club for.
For this particular show, my partner wanted to splurge, so we reserved a VIP table in the balcony. Our VIP experience at Canopy Club truly elevated the evening. We were treated to a dedicated table which provided a perfect vantage point to enjoy the performance. The interaction with our VIP staffer, Alex, was seamless; she was extremely attentive and ensured we had everything we desired (and even brought us a little surprise by the end of the night). Although the prices were on the higher side for Urbana, the level of service and the exclusivity of our experience made it worthwhile. It was a night where every detail was handled with care, allowing us to focus solely on the music and the vibrant atmosphere around us. This VIP treatment not only enhanced our enjoyment of the concert but left us feeling particularly valued and well cared for by the Canopy Club staff.
As the fervor built, Jessie Murph took the stage, eliciting ear-splitting cheers from an audience composed predominantly of young fans, largely female with probably a significant contingent of boyfriends being dragged out on a Tuesday night. Murph, who first captured attention with TikTok covers, has matured into a formidable artist, her music a blend of country twang and pop hooks, peppered with rap verses — a trifecta that commands attention. She came onto the stage by herself, in front of the huge white curtains that hid the back of the stage, and sang a few verses of some of her most popular songs, until the curtains dropped and revealed a modern stage design complete with a large video screen and many stage lights and LED outlines of speakers on the front of the elevated part of the stage. Her band was dressed in white jumpsuits, which drove home the fact they were just background employees in the world of Jessie Murph, although we later learned the guitarist was her brother, which draws comparisons to Billie Eilish and her brother Finneus.
Despite their synchronized appearance, much of the musical backdrop came from pre-recorded tracks, including all the background vocals, which allowed for a polished, album-like sound but detracted from the live performance authenticity.
Murph, who rose to fame through her TikTok covers, has swiftly become a significant voice in the genre of pop-country, a field currently experiencing a fascinating phase of cross-genre innovation. Her set was an impressive showcase of her vocal prowess and stylistic versatility, mixing hits with new, unreleased tracks that teased the future direction of her burgeoning music career.
Jessie’s cover of Etta James’s “I’d Rather Go Blind” was a standout moment, displaying her ability to handle classic, soulful blues with as much ease as her more contemporary material. It was a bold choice, especially given the youthful makeup of her audience, and it showcased her raw vocal talent and her deep understanding of music’s emotive power.
The audience’s engagement was palpable, especially during her well-known songs. The crowd sang along loudly, their voices filling the venue, creating communal moments that only live music can offer. This enthusiastic participation highlighted the strong connection Murph has forged with her fans through her relatable lyrics and catchy, genre-blending tunes.
Reflecting on the concert, it’s clear that pop-country is undergoing a transformative period. Artists like Jessie Murph are at the forefront of this shift, blurring the lines between genres and attracting fans from across the musical spectrum. This genre’s evolution is exciting not just for its current fans but for its potential to draw new listeners, much like Beyonce and Lil Nas X have done in recent years, and that Taylor Swift has built an empire out of. As this genre continues to evolve, it promises to bring more artists like Jessie Murph into the spotlight, artists who can bridge diverse musical elements to create something truly unique and engaging.
Though the absence of an encore was a curious choice, the performances of Jessie Murph left no question about her capabilities and the promising direction her career is headed. As pop and country continue to converge, artists like Jessie Murph and Matt Schuster are crafting the soundtrack to this melding of worlds, ensuring the genre’s relevance and resonance with a new generation of listeners.
