After a whirlwind 2023 filled with six single releases and touring as an opener for Girlfriends and Better Than Ezra, John Harvie treated his fans to his very own headline tour in 2024: This Dope Ahh Tour. The tour included four East Coast dates, kicking off in Brooklyn and culminating in his current hometown of Nashville on September 15, 2024 at the Cannery Hall.

The night began with electrifying performances from openers Carter Rubin and Telltale. Honestly, John Harvie couldn’t have picked a better lineup to get the crowd hyped for his set. While waiting for John to take the stage, I had the chance to chat with some fellow fans, affectionately known as “The Harvesters”. My favorite part of concerts isn’t just the live music—it’s the connections you make with other fans, turning a shared love for an artist into lasting friendships with people you might never have met otherwise.

At 8 p.m., John Harvie and his band took the stage, kicking things off with two tracks from his album told ya., “My Name in Your Mouth” and “Worse.” After the songs, John paused to thank the crowd, noting that he had “never sold this many tickets” before. He also shared that he had never played this album at a show live and all the way through until now! He then introduced the next song on the setlist, one of his most popular tracks, “Alaina”, and gave a shout-out to his openers for joining him on the tour. It was clear that John was just as excited for this final show as the fans were.

Throughout the night, John kept the energy high with a mix of crowd engagement and surprises. Having lived in Nashville for a few years and become a part of the city’s music scene, John has made connections with other musicians, including Charlotte Sands. When John introduced the eighth song on the setlist, “Beauty in the Bad Things”, the crowd erupted as Charlotte Sands joined him on stage for a special performance. Afterward, John thanked Charlotte and mentioned how grateful he was to have “really cool and talented friends”.

John wrapped up the night with his “encore” song, “Open Mic”. Before launching into it, he joked about how he was planning to do the classic leave-the-stage-and-come-back-for-an-encore move but decided against it, saying, “I’m a rock artist—I give all I got, then I fucking leave.” He also shared some inspiring words, encouraging his band to

“play every song like it’s your last because you never know when it’s gonna be.”

As “Open Mic At My Funeral” began to play, John’s drummer Matt Donnelly and his bass guitarist Jake Ingram moved to the front of the stage and sat to the side, joining the crowd as we all sang our hearts out. It was one of those rare, intimate moments where the lines between performer and audience blurred, and you could feel how special it was for everyone in the room. The simplicity of the band members sitting among us while John sang his heart out created a sense of togetherness—like we were all a part of something much bigger. You could see the emotion in their faces, and the crowd responded by singing louder, embracing the shared experience. It was more than just a performance; it felt like a celebration of everything John and his band had achieved with this tour, and it made the night even more unforgettable.

This moment felt especially significant to me because John Harvie is originally from Louisville, which is close to where I’m from. Seeing someone from my area grow into such a talented artist and inspiring role model makes me incredibly proud. It’s amazing to witness his journey from our shared roots to becoming a rising star in the alt-rock world, and it adds a personal connection to his success that makes every show feel even more meaningful.

When speaking to John Harvie and his band after the show was over, we all agreed that tonight was one of the best shows we’ve ever experienced. The energy in the room was unmatched, and you could see that everyone—both on stage and in the crowd—was fully immersed in the moment. John and his band seemed genuinely moved by the turnout and the connection they shared with the audience, which made the night feel even more special.

This was my eighth time seeing John Harvie perform live. The first was when he opened for Charlotte Sands on November 6, 2022. Back then, I only knew a few of his more popular songs like “Alaina” and “Bleach (On the Rocks)”, but after that show, I couldn’t wait to dive deeper into his music and learn more about him as an artist.

Now, I feel incredibly grateful not only to know him but also to witness his rise in the alt-rock world firsthand. Watching his journey from an opening act to a headliner has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s an honor to see someone so genuine, talented, and hardworking make such an impact. He’s quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the scene, and I couldn’t be prouder to support him along the way. After seeing him open for several artists and headline three shows, I can confidently say John Harvie is the artist to watch. His deep appreciation for his fans, his band, his team, and every supporter is beyond refreshing. He exudes effortless charisma and brings a pure, unapologetic energy to every performance.

While “This Dope Ahh Tour” has come to a close, John Harvie himself hinted after the show that more dates and new music are coming in 2025. If you haven’t checked out John Harvie yet, I highly recommend you do—he’s poised to be the next big thing in alt-rock music.

Setlist