Ryan Beatty @ 9:30 Club

On February 23, 2024, Ryan Beatty delivered a stunning set to a sold out audience at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

Ryan Beatty

It may have been a cold Friday night when fans lined up down the block to watch Ryan Beatty perform, but the atmosphere inside the venue was the exact opposite. Warm and cozy are the perfect words to describe how it felt waiting for Beatty to take the stage. With no openers, the crowd quickly poured into the venue in the hour between doors opening and the show starting.

I watched the first fan enter the venue from my spot on the balcony. They turned to their friend behind them and threw their hands in the air as they excitedly pointed out that they were going to be standing at the center of the barricade for a night of music. This moment made me smile to myself. If you’ve ever been to a show you know that feeling of getting the perfect spot to see one of your favorite artists. Especially after queuing outside for several hours. And that small fan moment perfectly described the enthusiasm that would carry through the rest of the night!

Show Time

Just after 7:00pm, Ryan Beatty prepared to take the stage. In a well thought out entrance, members of the band (who would be seated across the back of the stage behind Beatty) slowly entered onto the stage in waves during which the piano was played softly. As the build up continued, & the fans cheered, Beatty entered and sat down at center stage where he would spend the majority of his set.

I mean this as the highest form of compliment, this concert was the quietest show I have ever been to. After the first three songs, once I was in the back of the venue I felt the urge to not talk, the same way I did when I was in school and felt like I would get in trouble for talking in a quiet classroom. The fans were lovely though so I doubt they would have cared! While the crowd did cheer, it was mainly between songs, but it surely wasn’t for lack of enthusiasm. It was as if every member of the audience was waiting with bated breath to hear every single note that Beatty hit. Every word that he sang, and every breath that he took. It was singlehandedly one of the most beautiful concert experiences I have ever witnessed.

Wrapping Up

The set was intimate. It certainly did not feel as if there were 1,200 fans packed in the space. In my opinion, the vibes were reminiscent of a what I imagine an impromptu jam session around the camp fire felt like in teen movies. It certainly didn’t feel like an artist on stage separated from their fans. It felt raw and personal in a way that I would argue is incredibly hard to achieve in a mid-size venue.

Honestly, recapping this show is hard but in the best possible way. I struggle for words to describe this experience that is unlike anything I have captured before. Words do not do the incredible thoughtfulness that Beatty put into his set justice. Above all, I can simply encourage you to catch Beatty on tour if you have the opportunity. With stops in the United States and Canada through mid-March, you will not be disappointed!