Koe Wetzel and Treaty Oak Revival Bring Texas to Connecticut
On Thursday night, Koe Wetzel’s Damn Near Normal tour rolled into Uncasville, Connecticut, for a performance at the Mohegan Sun Casino’s arena. This is home of the WNBA’s Connecticut Suns located inside the beautifully crafted Mohegan Sun Casino. The casino is owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe, it is one of the largest entertainment destinations in the United States. Since the arena’s opening in 2001, it has become a key venue for sports, concerts, and events in Connecticut. Its seating capacity is approximately 10,000 for most events making it one of the larger venues in the southern New England area. Despite its large capacity, the arena manages to create a sense of intimacy while maintaining a comfortable atmosphere. If an artist is performing at multiple locations in the region, this venue is definitely worth considering. The arena is part of the larger Mohegan Sun complex, which includes a casino, hotels, restaurants, and shops, which gives people and more of a reason to go to a show here. You can have free parking, grab dinner, go shopping and have a swift exit after the show. We honestly can’t see a better venue for a concert with all the amenities. We always love coming to Mohegan Sun and prefer it over the nearby Foxwoods Resort Casino. As you soon as you step out of the free parking garage into the hallways into the casino it feels more like a museum than a casino if you look past the slot machines. We always admire the woodworking and intricate details the Mohegan Tribe has added. It’s truly a remarkable place to go and to see a show. Being our fourth show at the venue there isn’t a bad seat and we are never disappointed.
As huge Koe Wetzel fans, we were thrilled when we heard he was coming to New England. It’s rare for country artists, especially those outside the pop-country genre, to tour this region regularly. Initially, we were excited about his show at Roadrunner in Boston, though we thought the venue might be too small, especially with the release of his new album, 9 Lives. When the Mohegan Sun Arena show was announced, we knew we had to make the trip. Our excitement grew when we learned about the tour's support acts—Treaty Oak Revival and Dylan Wheeler—both of whom we are big fans of. Even before the show began, we knew it was going to be something special.
Treaty Oak Revival, like Wetzel, hails from Texas and has been making waves in the Southern rock circuit with their distinctive sound and heartfelt lyrics. We fell in love with their music after hearing their sophomore album, Have a Nice Day. In a music landscape often dominated by cookie-cutter country, Treaty Oak Revival stands out with their authentic, Texas-inspired sound. We love that Wetzel is showcasing Texas rock on his tour, bringing along bands that embody the spirit of his home state. Dylan Wheeler, who opened the night, also shares this Texas connection. Treaty Oak Revival was formed in the late 2010s by artists passionate about blending country with a rock edge, perfectly capturing that outlaw vibe. Their name, inspired by the historic Treaty Oak tree in Austin, Texas, reflects their connection to their roots and their mission to revive Southern music. We’d compare their style to bands like Whiskey Myers, Turnpike Troubadours, and Cody Jinks. We recently discovered another band, Fox N' Vead, with a similar style, who opened for Pecos & the Rooftops. These up-and-coming bands are proving that they know how to put on an incredible show. Keep an eye out for Fox N' Vead—they’ll be coming to a venue near you!
Treaty Oak Revival came out swinging from the start opening with the high-energy “Stop and Stare”. One of our favorite songs by the band and a perfect opening track to set the tone for the night. All the bands were here to rock the hell out of everyone in attendance. Lead singer Alex Thompson’s powerful vocals echoed through the venue, perfectly complemented by the band’s performance. We couldn’t get enough watching bassist Andrew Carey. He was very animated on the stage and kept the show entertaining. The whole band brought their A game. Treaty Oak Revival was a perfect support act just like we had preconceived. They warmed the crowd up like not many bands can do for their headliner. Thompson's raw vocal talent was on full display. What a great set of pure kick-ass southern-country -rock. “See You In Court,” a song inspired by Thompson watching to much Maury Povich was obviously a fan favorite as the crowd sung back to the band as loud as they could. Overall, great performance and we really cannot wait to see them come back on their own headlining tour. After the band got us warmed up Koe Wetzel was next to the stage to burn it down.
Koe Wetzel hailing from Pittsburg, was born on July 14, 1992. A rising star in the country music scene, known for blending country, grunge, and rock into his own unique style. His rebellious persona and style often referred to as “Fuckboy Country” have earned him a devoted following, making him a leading figure in the Texas country music movement. After signing with Columbia Records in 2020, he released Sellout, which marked his evolution as an artist by merging his country roots with more mainstream rock influences while retaining his rebellious edge. The 2022 follow-up, Hell Paso, hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Albums and spawned hits on both the country and rock charts, including the Gold-certified “Creeps” and “Cabo.” Wetzel's sixth studio album and third under Columbia Records, 9 Lives, was released on July 19, 2024, is his most solid work to date—we can’t stop listening to it. We love how he blends multiple genres of music into his own style. His unique style and persona have garnered him a dedicated fan base, making him one of the leading voices in the Texas country. He signed with Columbia Records in 2020 and his first major-label release, and a year later we were gifted Sellout. The album showcased Wetzel's evolution as an artist, blending his country roots with more mainstream rock sounds while maintaining the fuckboy spirit. “Damn Near Normal” really resonates with us on a very deep level. It was a song we didn’t know we needed written but he was the guy that delivered. There are a few artists that we look forward to seeing and some we never thought we would see. Koe Wetzel is the latter and we strapped in and looking forward to the adventure.
Wetzel came out swinging, kicking off his concert with "Twisters." From the moment he hit the stage, it was clear he was ready to bring that Texas heat. The crowd was on fire, and Wetzel was there to fan the flames. Song after song, he poured gasoline on the blaze, keeping the energy high and the party going strong. With each relentless country-rock anthem, the audience roared for more, feeding off the band's intensity. There was hardly a moment to catch your breath, though a few touching interludes gave the crowd brief pauses amidst the high-octane set.
One of the most poignant moments came when Wetzel played "Good Die Young." Before launching into the song, he paid tribute to those we've lost, creating a profound sense of community in the arena. Wetzel raised a toast to honor the departed, and as the song unfolded, large groups of people began embracing, sharing the moment together. It wasn’t just the usual concert groups—it was as if everyone in the crowd was connected. Even passersby were drawn into these growing circles of camaraderie. It was a touching scene that many might have missed if they were solely focused on the stage. To truly grasp how a concert is going, you have to look at the audience—the vibe in the room spoke volumes about the impact of the night.
Wetzel announced that he was about to perform a song that didn’t make it onto his latest album, “Casamigos.” He mentioned that he’d only played it twice before, with the most recent attempt at Roadrunner in Boston, where he’d messed up. “Maybe third time’s a charm,” he joked. This time, the performance was flawless, leaving many of us wondering why the track hadn’t made the final cut. Wetzel himself admitted he wasn’t sure why it had been left off the album. Another standout moment was “Drunk Driving,” a song that resonated deeply with the younger crowd. The audience screamed the lyrics back at him at deafening levels, and Wetzel, seemingly in disbelief, let out a small laugh after the song. It must have felt incredible to hear the massive crowd share that moment with him. “Damn Near Normal” and “Sweet Dreams” were not only crowd favorites but also ours. The songs were performed perfectly—every note, lyric, and harmony was spot on. “Sweet Dreams” holds a deep meaning for us, and we were grateful to experience it live at a Koe Wetzel concert.
The pyrotechnics added an extra layer of excitement. Just when you thought the Texas heat was all you could handle, there was more—fire. The stage production was everything it should be, with pyro, lights, fog, and an impressive setup. Our only critique would be the amount of fog used, which, from a photographer's perspective, made capturing clear images a challenge. However, in terms of the concert experience, the fog didn’t distract but rather enhanced the mood, especially in an arena where it lingers, unlike in open-air venues where the wind disperses it.
Koe Wetzel’s show was nothing short of a Southern rock extravaganza, packed with high-energy performances and a rowdy crowd that perfectly matched his gritty, unapologetic style. Overall, Wetzel delivered a powerful performance that showcased his raw talent and undeniable connection with his fans. For those who appreciate a mix of Southern rock, country, and a touch of rebellious attitude, Wetzel’s concert was an unforgettable experience—a perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and high-octane entertainment. We cannot urge you enough to get out and BUY. THE. TICKET and attend a Koe Wetzel concert. You will not regret it.
Aug. 30 – Atlantic City, NJ, Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Aug. 31 – Reading, PA, Santander Arena
Sept. 4 – Charleston, WV, Charleston Coliseum
Sept. 5 – Roanoke, VA, Berglund Center
Sept. 6 – Columbia, SC, Colonial Life Arena
Sept. 7 – Cary, NC, Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Sept. 12 – Kansas City, KS, Azura Amphitheater
Sept. 13 – Camdenton, MO, Ozarks Amphitheater
Sept. 18 – St. Louis, MO, Chaifetz Arena
Sept. 20 – Huntsville, AL, The Orion Amphitheater
Sept. 21 – Macon, GA, Atrium Health Amphitheater
Sept. 25 – Alexandria, LA, Rapides Parish Coliseum
Sept. 26 – Tuscaloosa, AL, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater
Sept. 27 – Nashville, TN, Ascend Amphitheater
Sept. 28 – Little Rock, AR, First Security Amphitheater
Oct. 3 – Pikeville, KY, Appalachian Wireless Arena
Oct. 4 – Indianapolis, IN, Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Oct. 5 – Evansville, IN, Ford Center
Oct. 10 – Abilene, TX, Expo Center of Taylor County
Oct. 11 – Lubbock, TX, Cooks Garage
Oct. 13 – Morrison, CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Oct. 26 – Manchester, U.K., Academy 3
Oct. 27 – London, U.K., The Garage
Oct. 30 – Glasgow, U.K., Oran Mor
Oct. 31 – Birmingham, U.K., Academy 2
Nov. 1 – Leeds, U.K., Brudenell Social Club
Nov. 3 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Melkweg (Oude Zaal)