Morgan Wallen is an American country music singer and songwriter who is currently on his Dangerous Tour. He will be performing at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 17, 2023. Fans are excited to see who the opening acts will be for Morgan’s Columbus show. In this article, we will take a look at who is playing with Morgan Wallen during his Columbus tour stop.
About Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest breakout stars in country music over the past few years. The 29-year-old singer from Tennessee first gained attention as a contestant on The Voice in 2014. Though he was eliminated during the playoffs, Wallen continued pursuing his dreams of making it big in Nashville. He signed with Big Loud Records in 2016 and dropped his first studio EP, Stand Alone, that year.
Wallen’s star really took off with the release of his 2018 debut album, If I Know Me. The record featured his first number one country hit, “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line. His popularity surged even higher with his 2020 album, Dangerous: The Double Album. It contained massive hits like “7 Summers” and “More Than My Hometown.” Dangerous ended up setting numerous chart records, dominating as the best-selling album across all genres for 10 straight weeks. It also propelled Wallen to become one of the most streamed artists in any genre in 2020.
After taking time off in 2021 for personal issues, Morgan Wallen is now back with new music and on the road again. His Dangerous Tour kicked off in February 2023 and consists of shows in over 30 cities across North America. The Columbus, Ohio stop is slated for March 17 at Nationwide Arena. Fans have been anxiously awaiting news on who the supporting acts will be.
Hardy
One of the opening acts performing with Morgan Wallen in Columbus is Hardy. Hardy is a singer-songwriter from Mississippi who has written numerous hits for other country artists. After writing songs for performers like Florida Georgia Line and Blake Shelton, Hardy stepped into the spotlight himself as a vocalist. He signed with Big Loud Records and dropped his first album, A Rock, in 2019.
Hardy has become massively popular in the country world thanks to his candid lyrics and rock-influenced sound. His 2020 project, Hixtape, Vol. 1 topped the country charts. Other standouts from Hardy include his collab with Morgan Wallen and Ernest called “One Beer” and his 2022 single “Wait in the Truck.” Fans are thrilled that Hardy will be bringing his edgy country vibe to the stage in Columbus.
Ernest
Joining Morgan Wallen and Hardy on the Columbus bill is emerging country artist Ernest. Like Hardy, Ernest is signed to Big Loud Records and has collaborated with Wallen before. Ernest, whose real name is Ernest Keith Smith, got his start on TikTok by posting song covers that went viral. The Nashville native landed a record deal after building a fanbase online and released his debut album Flower Shops in 2019.
While still a rising talent, Ernest has made a name for himself with songs like “Flower Shops” and “Cheers.” His 2022 single “Flower Shops (The Hybrid Stand)” with Morgan Wallen gave him his first radio hit, breaking into the top 30. Fans are eager to catch Ernest’s energetic set opening for Wallen in Columbus as the singer continues his upward trajectory.
Bailey Zimmerman
Rounding out the supporting lineup for Morgan Wallen’s Columbus show is breakthrough artist Bailey Zimmerman. Originally from Illinois, Bailey Zimmerman moved to Nashville and found success releasing songs independently on streaming platforms. His track “Rock and a Hard Place” went viral on TikTok in 2021, helping Bailey land a deal with Warner Music Nashville.
Bailey’s music blends heartfelt country songwriting with pop and rock influences. Singles like “Fall in Love” and “Where I’m From” display his talent for relatable lyrics and catchy hooks. The singer just dropped his first EP in May 2022, Leave the Light On. Bailey Zimmerman brings more youthful energy to the bill and fans are pumped to watch him embrace this massive arena opening slot.
Set Times
Now that Morgan Wallen’s supporting acts have been revealed, fans want to know details on set times. Here is the expected schedule for the Columbus show on March 17:
Performer | Set Time |
---|---|
Bailey Zimmerman | 7:00 PM |
Ernest | 7:30 PM |
Hardy | 8:15 PM |
Morgan Wallen | 9:15 PM |
Doors are slated to open at 6 PM. Bailey Zimmerman will kick things off at 7 PM sharp for the first supporting 30 minute set. Ernest will take the stage around 7:30 and play for 45 minutes. Then Hardy is scheduled to perform an hour-long set starting at 8:15 PM. Finally, Morgan Wallen will headline for around 90 minutes, likely taking the stage around 9:15 PM.
These set times could shift around slightly day of show, but this schedule gives fans an idea of the order and length of performances to expect.
Ticket Availability
With these three up-and-coming country acts supporting Morgan Wallen, Columbus is set to be one of the hottest shows on the tour. Tickets went on sale in early February for the March 17 concert. Despite the large capacity at Nationwide Arena, tickets are already scarce. Here is a look at ticket availability as of October 16, 2023:
Section | Starting Price | Tickets Remaining |
---|---|---|
Floor Seating | $200 | Sold Out |
Lower Level Seating | $90 | Limited |
Upper Level Seating | $65 | Sold Out |
Floor tickets sold out almost immediately back in February, along with upper level seats. Fans can still find some remaining tickets in the lower level sections for around $90 and up. But those are likely to disappear quickly as the show gets closer. If you hope to catch Morgan Wallen with Hardy, Ernest, and Bailey Zimmerman in Columbus, act fast before the rest of the inventory is gone!
What to Expect
The March 17 Columbus show is slated to be one of the biggest concerts the city sees in 2023. Nationwide Arena will be buzzing with the lineup of country heavyweights Morgan Wallen has assembled. Here’s a look at what fans can expect from the show:
Lengthy Sets
With Morgan Wallen headlining, he’ll likely command the stage for over 90 minutes once his 9 PM set begins. Hardy, Ernest, and Bailey Zimmerman are newer artists, but will still get decent 30 to 60 minute sets earlier in the night. The show has a start time of 7 PM, but with all four acts, won’t wrap up until around 11 PM. Fans are in for a lengthy night of entertainment.
Range of Music
The supporting acts offer musical diversity for fans. Ernest and Hardy bring more traditional country and Nashville songwriting. Bailey Zimmerman represents a fusion of country, pop, and rock. Morgan Wallen’s headlining set will be packed with his hits and heartfelt anthems. The variety will keep the atmosphere energized.
Passionate Performances
Each of these singers are still rising talents with something to prove. They are likely to pour their hearts into the Columbus performance. Morgan Wallen in particular has faced controversy in his career and will aim to make amends with fans through his live show. The passion on stage should be palpable.
Electric Crowd Energy
From Zimmerman’s young devotees, to Ernest and Hardy’s country lovers, to the women who swoon over Wallen – the Nationwide Arena crowd will be invested. Columbus fans have been eager for Wallen’s return to touring. The anticipation should fuel an electric atmosphere in the arena.
Conclusion
Morgan Wallen is set to make his Columbus tour stop an unforgettable one by bringing along threebuzzworthy supporting acts. Fans will be treated to sets by Hardy, Ernest, and Bailey Zimmerman before Wallen headlines. The March 17 show is on track to be a nearly sold-out affair full of the top new country talent. Floor seats and upper level tickets are long gone, but some lower level seating remains up for grabs. With four fiery performers unleashing their catalogs of hits and soon-to-be classics, the Nationwide Arena will be brimming with energy. Morgan Wallen’s Columbus concert is the can’t-miss country show of 2023.