Concert review: Emily Nenni w/ Dylan Earl | 05.23.25, Off Broadway (with photo gallery)

Photo of Emily Nenni by Michael O’Connor

Emily Nenni and Dylan Earl made a stop at Off Broadway, a venue where their true, authentic country tone was able to show true. Arkansas native Dylan Earl opened with a warm and acoustic set. His ability to draw in an audience and seamlessly link together tracks through storytelling and soul was remarkable. His passion for the craft was evident, even bringing out Jack Quiggins—a member from Nenni’s band—for his last few songs. After the show, we chatted briefly, where his appreciation for his fans came through, noting that “I never have a set list” he said, “every show is different.” He set an extremely personable tone against the venue’s orange glow and promised us a memorable night ahead.

When Emily Nenni took the stage, the entire band brought an undeniable energy that awoke a masterful blend of rustic honky-tonk vibes with smooth country undertones. Originally from San Francisco, Nenni has found remarkable success in Nashville, where her not newly released album Drive & Cry has received over two million streams. Her musical journey has been shaped in part by her collaboration with Teddy and the Rough Riders, a band known for its fusion of country-rock influences. This partnership has allowed her to refine her sound, balancing traditional honky-tonk roots with a more modern edge. She performed tracks from her new latest record, while also integrating older favorites and unreleased music into the set. I found her words when transitioning between songs to be extremely genuine, and added meaning and depth to the music she was sharing. Her voice deeply resonated with the space and audience, confirming her place as an inspiring force in today’s country music scene.

The venue’s wooden ambiance further amplified the evenings impact. With red and orange spotlights reverberating with every note, chord, and lyric, the emotion felt from a live performance was certain. Ultimately, the show was a powerful performance that was sincere and full of character. It was wonderful to see both Dylan Earl and Emily Nenni’s band perform, and note their ability to offer the audience an immersive experience with extremely promising artistic ventures ahead. | Michael O’Connor